Am I the only one

[bLux]

that gets "picked on" or "left out" because I'm a Digital Artist? Do you ever get left out of conversations on art subjects?

I'm sure it sounds like I'm whining, but I live in Richmond, Virginia... where most of the people are traditional artists and can hardly use Photoshop. Most of my friends are artists, in which I hear about their artist friends and how they are all successful too, but they aren't digital artists and to me, I've seen way better artwork. I often times am not considered an artist, because I use digital material. Personally, it's getting old and tiresome. I don't recall technology ever putting a limit on artistic abilities. Right?

Does anyone else have this problem? :\

[shatteredhalo]

Hmm. I don't really have any artist friends, so I can't say I relate. But I do understand what you mean, and it's been a battle that has been going on for a long time, with traditional vs. digital.

Personally I think a lot of the traditional artists are a bunch of art snobs, but that's just me. Notice I said a lot, not all, so please don't flame me. Hell, my wife has a friend who went to art school and learned traditional art or whatever, and I can draw and paint circles around her. But for some reason my art is viewed as inferior simply because it is mainly digital. Go figure.

I don't see how digital art is any easier than traditional. The only thing that *may* make it a bit easier is we have Ctrl+Z, but even then something can still turn out looking like total crap. It's all on the skill of the individual, and this subject is a dead horse that quite frankly, I'm getting tired of as well.

[bLux]

Yeah, I agree about them being snobs, some of them. Also, they're usually know it alls too. I have a friend who doesn't do environments(at all), but still criticizes me bout perspective and whatnot. And, when I talk about some art related subjects, I get "I know" as a response usually.

I'm in the process of writing an article on digital art for a magazine(I don't think it's gonna be in it though) and I'm writing some on this vary subject. I'm also writing one for myself, but more controversial.

I agree that some things are easier, like our options to edit and manipulate colors, but there is still learning involved. My statement is that generally, digital art is used for many projects, and often times, there's a deadline... so why not use what you have and be more productive? I could do 3 or 4 paintings before one of my friends finished a pencil drawing.

[Weeda]

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to art, so correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that most of the people that are making their livings as artists are doing so through digital mediums. With game design and advertising and what have you, it seems that developing a solid foundation in digital art early on would be a very wise thing to do. And if they can't understand this, well, then... call them gay and laugh and also make not so flattering speculations about the size of their genitalia because that would probably cripple them emotionally and they would deserve it and you would feel better.

[bLux]

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to art, so correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that most of the people that are making their livings as artists are doing so through digital mediums. With game design and advertising and what have you, it seems that developing a solid foundation in digital art early on would be a very wise thing to do. And if they can't understand this, well, then... call them gay and laugh and also make not so flattering speculations about the size of their genitalia because that would probably cripple them emotionally and they would deserve it and you would feel better.


Haha, exactly. Digital art is what makes today's movies, video games, and tv shows so entertaining and realistic. It's only been around for about 50 years, and it's already impacting everyone's life in a tremendous way. Where as traditional art took millions of years(if you want to go back to Neanderthal time with the cave paintings) to become as popular is it is, or was.

I'll post my little "controversial article" later. I'm still tweaking it, but right now, it's on my Myspace blog :D

[getrealz]

i think you need to take a long look at yourself. i think most of the great artists here have studied first in fine arts and have created a foundation of skills in which they built upon and geared toward there goals. you make the statement about people saying your not an aritst for doing digital work...maybe its because you went straight to digital which is showing in the quality of your work. i personally think you need to learn foundational stuff first before defending a medium you hardly use right. judging by you trying to sell your work on deviant..id venture to say your also arrogant.

[bLux]

i think you need to take a long look at yourself. i think most of the great artists here have studied first in fine arts and have created a foundation of skills in which they built upon and geared toward there goals. you make the statement about people saying your not an aritst for doing digital work...maybe its because you went straight to digital which is showing in the quality of your work. i personally think you need to learn foundational stuff first before defending a medium you hardly use right. judging by you trying to sell your work on deviant..id venture to say your also arrogant.


I wasn't talking about previous areas of artistic abilities, I was talking about the reaction I, and others, get upon being a digital artist. No matter your skill level, people will still think it's "easy". Take Dylan Cole for example, I was talking to people and explaining to them what Mattepainting was, and I got a response, "so, all he does is paint over photographs?". That's the type of responses that influenced this thread. I was just asking if anyone else got that or if they were left out of any "art activity" with their friends. Also, there isn't a rule stating that I need to learn other types of art before I begin digitally, I believe I can work in whatever order I please.

Since when did DeviantART and the Store have anything to do arrogance? Excuse me for trying to get my name out there and earn a little money for more materials.

You made that user name just for that reply. Sweet.

[getrealz]

well then ive misunderstood you then, and i apologize. and most likely you wont believe me but the name wasnt intentional. the only reason why i posted it was because i was an arogant ass who thought i was the best, and you seemed like were heading in that direction. i figured id give some tough love, but if this isnt the case and your nothing like that then i apologize again.

[Elwell]

Xbrianx, don't ever make the mistake of thinking high school (or DA for that matter) has anything to do with the real world.

[bLux]

well then ive misunderstood you then, and i apologize. and most likely you wont believe me but the name wasnt intentional. the only reason why i posted it was because i was an arogant ass who thought i was the best, and you seemed like were heading in that direction. i figured id give some tough love, but if this isnt the case and your nothing like that then i apologize again.


It's alright. I didn't think it personal anyways. :) I don't think I'm some arrogant ass, I might seem like it to some people, but I don't think so. I just like using facts to back myself up. And, I hate getting delimited by me being a digital artist. I realize I do need to work on my fine art skills, like my composition and colors, but I don't believe that I have to do it traditionally.

[bLux]

Xbrianx, don't ever make the mistake of thinking high school (or DA for that matter) has anything to do with the real world.

What are you saying? That, people don't act the same when they get out of high school? I'm only talking about the people in my school, since well... I don't know anyone else :P And, I hear about the teachers at the school getting their kids in art shows and whatnot, and I personally would like to do it too. But, the people at my school don't appreciate digital concept paintings that much.

I just use DA to meet new artists, show off my art(and maybe make a few dollars), and learn. I need to post here more often, this is a great site for learning and I think it's helped me a lot just by looking at all the great artwork posted here.

[Dave Kendall]

First of all you have to remove your own barriers. You're too hung up on the technique rather than the finished result. Most artist's on this forum dabble in both traditional and digital to a greater or lesser degree, and they get praise according to the quality of the work. That quality is the important factor.

Quit having discussions and stop worrying about pecking orders in your school, just get on and hone your skills.

[Max Challie]

I guess most traditional artists feel jealous of digital artists doing something more easily (on the surface) for it to turn out great. I don't think open minded and/or modest traditional artists will feel this way towards digital artists.

[Maxine Schacker]

I'm tired of the word "artist." Especially since in the last 30 years its been so overused. Everyone who can play two chords is an "artist." Put your energy into learning your craft. If you're lucky, you'll be a student all your life. You'll be someone who paints.

I looked at your work and my advice is, in addition to the digital work, to do a lot of work on site using paint and brushes. Also, look at great landscape art (if that's what you want to paint). Do copies. Think about composition. Study color and how it creates the illusion of form, space and texture.

Let the others play artist...but don't underestimate what you can learn from
old fashioned painting and drawing. It will help your digital work.

[Jason Rainville]

What are you saying? That, people don't act the same when they get out of high school?

In general I don't know about specific people suddenly changing their attitudes, but I know that college (which is still not the real world) seems to be filled with generally more informed people, and more open people. I think it's just the sheep-mentality of highschoolers brought on by popularity-driven paranoia is more or less gone, and people just get on with each other more easily.

In my painting class no one cared that I was the only one who did digital stuff as well (which is funny since I also drew the best, but I think that's attributed to me finding this site)

[Justin.]

Hand them your tablet and say "You do it."

[Noa K]

hi there!

i read this thread and just gotta say this:
it doesn't matter if you work on tradtional mediums or digital. what does matter is the result.

if you paint digitally and do a kickass work ppl will commision more of it,
if you paint with oils and do a kickass work ppl will commision more of it,
hell,
if you paint with ellefant droppings and do a kickass work ppl will commision more of it (and that DID happened)

but, also
digital painting was mainly (not all) created to mimik the traditional mediums. fact. (even though it developed much more beyond that).
SO
you should get to know them better - so you can creat somthing that doesn't look photoshopic. it will give you better sense of what you want the painting to look like, what digital brushes to use and how to use the custom brushes. how texture works, how the light works and so on and so on...
This is the reason ppl keep telling you to go back to the sketch-pad. in the end it will make your life easier and you - a better artist.

so good luck and keep one working!

p.s
qoute:Digital art is what makes today's movies, video games, and tv shows so entertaining and realistic

although movies use digital art work (as to backgrounds, animation, colouring and special effects),
the CONCEPT ART is usually maid by variouse artists, most of them use traditional mediums such as ink, charocal and ect. if you're raising an eyebrow there -quick! go to the library and pick up pixar's concept art books! :) or you can look it up on the web...

as far as i know, digital painting started as a very primtive form in the mid1980's (if not later). one of the first movies to use digital animation was disney's Tron.

anyway, digital painting is not here for 50 years.
( qoute: It's only been around for about 50 years, and it's already impacting everyone's life in a tremendous way)
the first personal computer was presented by IBM in 1981. befor that computers were used mainly for scientific research since they were so expansive (and most of them took the whole room). and even then u couldn't really get a realistic digital drawing if any - remember tos green and black screans with the big big pixels. that's that.

[Noa K]

p.p.s

sorry for that long reply. omg... got carried away

:)

[Farvus]

but, also
digital painting was mainly (not all) created to mimik the traditional mediums. fact. (even though it developed much more beyond that).
SO
you should get to know them better - so you can creat somthing that doesn't look photoshopic. it will give you better sense of what you want the painting to look like, what digital brushes to use and how to use the custom brushes. how texture works, how the light works and so on and so on...
This is the reason ppl keep telling you to go back to the sketch-pad. in the end it will make your life easier and you - a better artist.


I perefer to treat digital painting as entity on its own. It doesn't need to mimic traditional mediums and it should rather have it's own unique digital look. Very good example is Craig Mullins speedpaintings which of course look Photoshoppy but have lots of life in them.
Other thing is that digital painting is not something made for galleries. Programs such as Photoshop or Painter are just good design tools in which making corrections, different variations of the same concept, adjusting colors is a matter of seconds. In this case idea behind picture becomes much more important than masterful rendering or smell of oil paint. It's almost like dreaming picture onto screen. It's creating string of numbers with lots of power behind them. It's focusing on great ideas and using everything possible to make them as alive as possible. The more I think about digital painting, the more I find it valuable :).

[bLux]

hi there!

i read this thread and just gotta say this:
it doesn't matter if you work on tradtional mediums or digital. what does matter is the result.

if you paint digitally and do a kickass work ppl will commision more of it,
if you paint with oils and do a kickass work ppl will commision more of it,
hell,
if you paint with ellefant droppings and do a kickass work ppl will commision more of it (and that DID happened)

but, also
digital painting was mainly (not all) created to mimik the traditional mediums. fact. (even though it developed much more beyond that).
SO
you should get to know them better - so you can creat somthing that doesn't look photoshopic. it will give you better sense of what you want the painting to look like, what digital brushes to use and how to use the custom brushes. how texture works, how the light works and so on and so on...
This is the reason ppl keep telling you to go back to the sketch-pad. in the end it will make your life easier and you - a better artist.

so good luck and keep one working!

p.s
qoute:Digital art is what makes today's movies, video games, and tv shows so entertaining and realistic

although movies use digital art work (as to backgrounds, animation, colouring and special effects),
the CONCEPT ART is usually maid by variouse artists, most of them use traditional mediums such as ink, charocal and ect. if you're raising an eyebrow there -quick! go to the library and pick up pixar's concept art books! :) or you can look it up on the web...

as far as i know, digital painting started as a very primtive form in the mid1980's (if not later). one of the first movies to use digital animation was disney's Tron.

anyway, digital painting is not here for 50 years.
( qoute: It's only been around for about 50 years, and it's already impacting everyone's life in a tremendous way)
the first personal computer was presented by IBM in 1981. befor that computers were used mainly for scientific research since they were so expansive (and most of them took the whole room). and even then u couldn't really get a realistic digital drawing if any - remember tos green and black screans with the big big pixels. that's that.



I read somewhere that digital art, or art using some sort of digital medium(may not be computer) was pretty much "invented" when a guy invented a machine, named after him, in 1960s.

I do realize that many great digital artists have a big traditional background as well. I do want to get oils and other paints and have a go at them, just to do some studies. First, I think I need a job though :P I also do a lot of pencil sketching. I try to set and do sketches of the things around me. I want to go to the park, or other places around here that I won't get disturbed, and just sketch what I see. I find that it's a lot of fun and learning. :)


But, my whole point of this thread was to ask if anyone else was treated the way I was. I don't know how big your art scenes are in your locations, but mine is pretty big... of traditional artists. There's a thing downtown called "First Fridays", where on one of the streets, about 10 or so galleries open up with new exhibitions every first Friday of the month. I've been to one, and I must say it's a lot of fun, but the lack of "diversity"(I should say) is what kind of ruins it for me. I saw mostly surrealistic mixed media artworks, with traditional stuff.

But, I digress, I am just tired of being limited. I read one of my friends paper of awards she's won. It was 2 pages, with a lot of "first places". I know it's not all from herself putting her art out there. It's from all the teachers at school that put her out there, and I don't believe that's fair. I'm sure most of you are gonna say "life's not fair" and yes, I know. It just annoys me when I work really hard on my paintings and try to achieve the best look I can(although it might not look like it) and people just turn it down, because it's "easy".


I got so off-topic in that response. =\ But, thank you all, for the helpful/motivating words and everything else ConceptArt has done. I am a frequent browser, especially for inspiration, and I plan on posting more. :)

[CatConvention]

my friends are actually wowed.

they are like .
"holy crap you did that on the computer?"

and i'm like
"psh duh"

[bLux]

Coupled with a blog, this little bit of ignorance and poor grammar is hilarious to me. All digital media does it make it so anyone can be a pundit, artist, designer, accountant, lawyer, doctor or anything else that requires a real education by using a program and Google.

Digital media is just another tool. I don't think anyone's a real artist until they take a mouthful of ochre and blow it on the wall, and those guys didn't even realize they were making "Art." I'm with Maxine in this respect.

And yes, there are people like you around. Arrogant, blow hards with amateur work posted all over the internet. But, I bet you'll have a tough time relating to them.

Circa 30,000 years ago at Lauscaux.

By the way, don't forget to quote my entire post so know one gets confused and so I don't forget what I said.

I quoted.

It's funny when someone compliments on "poor grammar", yet, makes their own mistakes: Lascaux and no one. You're welcome. :)

Just lock this thread already, please? I posted it to ask a question, not to read everyone's responses on what they think makes a real artist or get critiqued on my "process." I understand, and know, that it takes the Fine Art subjects to become a better artist, and yes, I know my art isn't "pro" like some of you expected. Guess what, I've only been painting for hmm... a year and a half? Without any Fine Art studying, I should add. When I began digital painting and joining the concept area of art, I was just understanding perspective, composition, color theory, etc. and I think I've come along way since then.

[bLux]

You can stop now, I don't really care.

[Noa K]

I perefer to treat digital painting as entity on its own. It doesn't need to mimic traditional mediums and it should rather have it's own unique digital look. Very good example is Craig Mullins speedpaintings which of course look Photoshoppy but have lots of life in them.
Other thing is that digital painting is not something made for galleries. Programs such as Photoshop or Painter are just good design tools in which making corrections, different variations of the same concept, adjusting colors is a matter of seconds. In this case idea behind picture becomes much more important than masterful rendering or smell of oil paint. It's almost like dreaming picture onto screen. It's creating string of numbers with lots of power behind them. It's focusing on great ideas and using everything possible to make them as alive as possible. The more I think about digital painting, the more I find it valuable :).

totally agree with you. that was my point - that it doesn't matter what tool you use, the result is what matters.
i know dp has evolved much beyond mimking the traditional mediums, but i still think you should know them and how they work so you can do better job on dp and even inventing your own unique style.

as for xbrianx:
you started a thread that touches alot of ppl soft spots. just because you don't neccesarily agree or like what ppl are saying doesn't mean you can be inpolite.. of course when you start a debait of how ppl are treating you for being a digital painter, those who want to answer will look at work just to see who r u, and most of them have been polite (most) so the least you can do for them after they responded to your question and gave their time for your benefit - is be polite.
if you don;t wnt any post you can always lock the thread.
telling ppl not to post anything anymore and that you don't care wiil only annoy them and make them post new articals (yes, just as i'm doing).

for your information i do come from a large "art scene" and let me tell you this - if there's something in a gallery, probably the gallery owner thinks it's good and have a good chance to be bought. in the end, all the huff and puff that we do here is coming down to a product. so, if all galleries present the same thing it means there's a fashion. it doesn't neceseraly means it's all good. i don't know what kind of art education you have, but all you got to do is to go to exhibits without any prejudices and try to figure out "hmm.. what IS good in this peace?" - even if it's not digital. maybe you'll find something you love in it after all. maybe u'll decide it's all megalomanian shit. but PLEASE get out of your comfort zone. just because ppl don't agree with you doesn't mean that they're wrong or right. they r only tring to help

[Atlantis]

Coupled with a blog, this little bit of ignorance and poor grammar is hilarious to me.

...

Arrogant, blow hards with amateur work posted all over the internet. But, I bet you'll have a tough time relating to them.

Both of the latter two (poorly formed) sentences have mistakes in comma placing.

He's 16, dude. Lay off.

[Coinpurse]

What are you saying? That, people don't act the same when they get out of high school?

I sure hope not.

Life changes.

As for your friends... If you say their "know it alls", then theres no point in trying to prove them wrong.

[Liam Harvey]

i brought the whole Painter and wacom setup because i was so energised by this site and seeing (eg.star wars) film concept artists also use digital media in documentaries.

my friends at school who arent into art think its pretty cool, even some of my teachers do too.

the exception comes in at my ART teacher, who prefers traditional mediums over digital, i myself enjoy digital but can see the merit of using traditional to learn the basics of art, you know-foundation stuff like Elements and Principles.

! am not entirely proficient an artist in any form, be it real media or digital, (in fact i wouldnt label myself an artist)but i am going to go to learn all i can in traditional while on the side working on digital.

i guess that the type of artists around you really alter your environment and own way to grow as an artist and ways to influence yourself, including ways that you wolud feel about different mediums

fortunately i have one that isnt too extreme as the kids in my art class are pretty lax and arent too keen either way on the digital/Traditional argument.


sorry to rant and all.

[otis]

Don't let anyone tell you who you are.

[Giorge]

That's the same problem in my country , and is a very popular discussion now-a- days. I find that digital art is another way to make art , you know like oil paint , engraving , painting with shot , blood and so on. But beeing digital doesn't mean that you shouldent tray traditional. Traditional way is the only way that i think you are going to learn art.

[bLux]

Thanks, guys.

Noak: I didn't mean to be impolite. I know I posted a very "touchy" thread, which is why I replied to "That Fat Kid" in the way I did, just to end my "argument" and to not make it any worse. I don't want it to get out of hand in any way.

[kool-ka-lang]

No one remembers how fast you did it, they remember how WELL it was done.

[Noa K]

Thanks, guys.

Noak: I didn't mean to be impolite. I know I posted a very "touchy" thread, which is why I replied to "That Fat Kid" in the way I did, just to end my "argument" and to not make it any worse. I don't want it to get out of hand in any way.

so lock the thread. you're the only one who can since you're the one who started it.

[Elwell]

so lock the thread. you're the only one who can since you're the one who started it.
Actually, I think things are set up here so only mods can lock threads, and I see no reason to.

[Noa K]

oh... really?
i thought that if you start a thread then can also lock it... weird

[DavePalumbo]

I'm actually wondering if any other traditional artists here (working in the illustration field) feel that they're excluded for being non-digi. I've noticed a number of genre-illustration magazines, competitions, and annuals lately which only allow digitally created entries or submissions, though I'm hard pressed to think of any which specifically exclude digital work. In some cases, this makes perfect sense (if it's 3d art for example), but most times it seems to be in response to an (in my opinion) outdated feeling that digital illustrators are in minority and need to band together to prove their legitimacy. A quick flip through Spectrum clearly shows that this isn't the case in either quality or quantity.

I just find mediumism so annoying.

[Albertsen]

that gets "picked on" or "left out" because I'm a Digital Artist? Do you ever get left out of conversations on art subjects?

I'm sure it sounds like I'm whining, but I live in Richmond, Virginia... where most of the people are traditional artists and can hardly use Photoshop. Most of my friends are artists, in which I hear about their artist friends and how they are all successful too, but they aren't digital artists and to me, I've seen way better artwork. I often times am not considered an artist, because I use digital material. Personally, it's getting old and tiresome. I don't recall technology ever putting a limit on artistic abilities. Right?

Does anyone else have this problem? :\

Heck, I even get that from fellow Photoshop users if I do photobased work, instead of relying on a piece that has been drawn by hand.
If they can't do it better or as good as you can, just ignore them.
I bet that deep inside, they are jealous that you can use a media they don't know.

[petitemistress]

i might be days late lol but heres my 2 cents; im an art student myself specializing in Fine Arts, and am self-taught in Digital art. I must say having a strong painting and anatomy basis thx to fine arts has helped a lot, becoz, believe it or not, fine art is a bitch. xD also, dabbling in the digital has given me a considerable edge on my peers (they often ask me to help them with photoshop , illustrator and the such), who feel sorta outdated :P its the best of both worlds really...

maybe these ppl look down upon you because they think you are one of those many "paintovers" people (idk i didnt c your work) that just abuse references the way it is so easy to abuse them using the digital medium, and thats a shame bcz these ppl overshadow those who are trying hard to better themselves traditionally (life drawing, interpreting the way light plays on a shape...) so they can deliver much more powerful images digitally...

so yeah its up to you to prove them wrong, bcz when smthg rules, it simply rules and ull say "woooow" not even caring if its digital or traditional! :D

ps: if it sounded like i was bragging... i wasnt ^.^;