Which is more important, traditional or digital?

[Cella]

I'm sort of getting confused, because traditional mediums are still used a lot and i know that professional artists say that drawing using a pencil is a good foundation point and stuff like that. But i also see so many artists here using digital methods and that's all i've seen, so do people just use traditional methods to get an idea of what they want to do and then bring it onto the computer and do it there?
Basically, if i used traditional methods and that's all i did, would that still be acceptable? And if i used digital methods and that's all i did, would that still be acceptable?

Another thing, i find that when i'm trying to draw on computer, it's really restricting and i can't think creatively and i can't draw much, and anything i do on the computer isn't good. I think it's because i'm trying to get the brushes right, and there's this opacity, and this brush size and oh look there are so many brush mediums to choose from (watercolour, real bristle, oils, acrylics etc). When i draw using a pencil on paper or watercolour i find that there's a lot more freedom. Is this normal? Because what if i wanted to draw digitally more, would the restricting problem still be there? Should i continue drawing traditionally?

[dashinvaine]

Do what feels right. My own preference is for predominantly traditional stuff. I find stuff created entirely digitally often seems to be harsh and artificial looking.

[MephistoLV]

Every different medium has its own strengths, limitations, and visual characteristics. As a developing artist, you should probably investigate any medium which looks interesting to you in order to understand it on an experiential level. That's just doing your homework.

Odds are, after experimenting a bit, you will develop a preference for a small number of the media options out there. Those are likely the ones you will turn to if you become a professional.

If you ever get a job where the boss says you have to use a particular medium, then you either do it or you find a different job. But in all honesty, such a situation would be rare. In visual arts, people mostly care about whether you can deliver quality results on the deadline they set for you. Medium can be a factor for technical or practical reasons, but it is not likely to be a deal breaker.

[BadGeometry]

I feel that traditional mediums are definitely the most important element in conceptual art. My professor is always telling me that one of the big things companies look for in portfolio is drawings from life (be it figure drawing or environment drawing). The digital stuff would usually come second to that.

Think of it this way: If your pencil-paper drawings are bad, there is very little that Photoshop can do to save your drawing.

That said, the reason digital art is much more prevalent here is because I guess you could say it's a little more convenient than some traditional art.
For digital painting, there's no mess, you can work in a small space, and you can do some things that traditional painters can't do. :lens:(jk) Plus, it's widely considered an industry standard at this point if I'm not mistaken.

Also: Drawing digitally does take some getting used to. I think you're just a little overwhelmed with the amount of choices you have there. Why don't you just start with the water color brushes and work from there?

Anyway, I hope I've been able to help you out some.

[Cella]

Also: Drawing digitally does take some getting used to. I think you're just a little overwhelmed with the amount of choices you have there. Why don't you just start with the water color brushes and work from there?

Yeah, i think you've opened my skull and looked into my mind because i think that lays it down for me, at least the overwhelming bit of the amount of mediums that are available.

Thanks to everyone else as well =] It's all great help and really good advice, much appreciated ^_^

[love Rx]

Another thing, i find that when i'm trying to draw on computer, it's really restricting and i can't think creatively and i can't draw much, and anything i do on the computer isn't good. I think it's because i'm trying to get the brushes right, and there's this opacity, and this brush size and oh look there are so many brush mediums to choose from (watercolour, real bristle, oils, acrylics etc). When i draw using a pencil on paper or watercolour i find that there's a lot more freedom. Is this normal? Because what if i wanted to draw digitally more, would the restricting problem still be there? Should i continue drawing traditionally?



use sketchbook pro. its simple, it feels almost like real paper and pencil. it is a minimal program with a minimal set of tools, but its a program that distinguishes itself from photoshop and painter x by cutting to the chase.
so please don't let a fussy computer program stop you.
try sketchbook pro. its really sweet.


concentrate on drawing as much as you can. any media that leaves and records a mark is sufficient. digital art has the advantage of the "undo button", layers, "complete" and unlimited erasing and ease of presentation. but as far as simplicity gos there is no learning curve for paper and pencil. the advantage of traditional art is tangibility and
simplicity.

but, keep in mind that digital tools are not the be all and end all standard. it is "industry standard." but not all people subscribe to its usefullness or even go so far as to prejudge digital art as being less than traditional. one art teacher I met used the word "real art" when comparing digital art to traditional.
as far as the art community is concerned. someday even your grandma will know what a "wacom tablet" is. someday digital tools will be ordinary and encouraged by arts chools for beginners and professionals alike to use and enjoy, but in the mean time technology hasn't killed traditional media. its too new for complete mainstream acceptance, and technology simply not advanced enough to mimic traditional tools entirely. not yet at least, but an intuos 3 coupled with sketchbook pro comes pretty danm close.



if you are starting out digital drawing, limit the tools that you use to pencil/felt pen/and paint brush.
this gos back to sketchbook pro. it has only 4 tools(I think).
again I find myself recommending this program to you

don't give up on digital either. but don't use it as a crutch, and make sure that you are learning each time you use it. follow the same work ethic as if you were using a traditional method. its easy to get sidetracked with the internet (like I am right now :bashful: ). don't use digital tools to cheat either.
follow the same rules as with traditional. anatomy, perspective, composition. etc. remember, as far as digital tools go, the hardest hurdle to get over is the interface. if you are not careful (like me a lot of the time) all the mini windows and boxes can fuck with how you see the canvas. getting used to it is another thing. the more you use the program, the less intimidating the plethora of features (brushes, settings) can be.
don't feel the need to use features you don't need at the moment. focus on the care essentials and gradually expand.






art schools want to see a a lot of traditional life drawings in your portfolio. this is something that quite a lot of representatives at portfolio day said.
I have no idea how companies hire people but I would think that its safe to assume that a balance between digital and traditional is optimal.
but the ire on the side of cation, the more traditional life drawings in your portfolio the better.

the problem here lies in your initiative to still be creative while at the same time doing life drawings, impressing art schools, getting hired, etc.
your goal as an artist should be to gain the technical skills nessessary to express your ideas in pictorial form such that your drawings are pleasing enough to the eye to allow companies,schools and other artists to take you seriously. your skills should also allow you to express your ideas with clarity. what you don't want is to lose your creative side while tending to your technical development. developing technical skills should help your personal projects and creative thoughts shine, not destroy them.

so how do you express your ideas in a visually pleasing manner in the mean time when you are still a beginner?

here is where life drawings get fun; when they serve a tangible purpose
if you are like me you have a lot of ideas in your head but are at a bit of a loss as to how to express those ideas. most people on this forum have said to
keep doing life drawings. this is a given. but I still wanted to express my stories and concept ideas from my imagination.

why not do both at the same time?.....

*come up with an idea (lets say you want to draw comics and a particular panel comes to mind)
*write it down
*draw a loose imperfect sketch of the panel with a character and an enviros.
*find a place in your yard or city that is similar to the environment in the panel (if you are lucky you will find exactly what you were looking for.)
begin to draw the enviros exactly how you see it.
make it perfect, keep in mind the composition.
*take a photo of the scene.
scan in the drawing fire up sketchbook pro.
save the file in 2 copies.
create a second layer.
make the 1st layer 50% transparent.
using the observational drawing as a guide, add your own concepts to it. change it so that it becomes professional version of the "imperfect sketch" that you drew. paint it, and sci-fi elements, whatever.
*go home and hop on the internet and find a photo of a person in a particular pose that resembles the pose of the character in your panel.
(don't trace) but draw the character carefully into the enviros that you have drawn. be sure to account for perspective.
*viola you now hold in your hand 2 portfolio pieces
one is a representational life drawing, the other is a super awesome imaginative concept turned into a realistic drawing.
you have successfully improved your technical skills while at the same time being a creative artist

*keep doing this until you have 20 or more traditional and 20 or more digital. go to a lifedrawing class and make shit load of nude figure drawings.

*be sure to post plenty of WIP's and final drawings on CA where you can get constructive crits. don't forget CG society or webcomic forums.

*pick out the best 15-20. put it in slides, or carry them in jpegs on your laptop under my pictures.

*go to portfolio day

*find out how much you suck and what you suck at.

*repeat until you get hired for a job, or accepted into an art school of your choice.


hope this helped