Is digital art real art?
I have been fascinated with technology for many years, understanding how it works, how it impacts our lives, and what the future may bring. From this perspective, and being someone with the drive to create, digital art always felt like a natural progression to me. It was always the blend of learning new technologies and software's to enable the creation of images that could capture the imagination, blurring the world of technology and art.
The question often arises, is digital art actually art? There are many people who sit in the different camps of thinking when this question is raised. Some would argue that digital art has been a recognized medium for several decades.
The first known digital art piece was created in the early 1960s by the engineer Ben Laposky, who used an analogue computer to generate abstract, electronic patterns. The advent of personal computers in the 1980s and the development of software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator further popularized digital art. However, there are some who may not fully appreciate or understand it.
Oscillon by Ben Laposky
Digital art is often mistakenly perceived as an "easy" medium due to its reliance on technology and the belief that digital tools can do the work for you. This perception may stem from a lack of familiarity with digital tools or a belief that traditional mediums like painting or sculpture are more "authentic."
Creating compelling digital art requires the same artistic skill, creativity, and dedication as any other form of art. Artists must still master concepts like composition, colour theory, and narrative to create impactful works. Moreover, digital art often involves mastering complex software and techniques, such as 3D modelling or animation. The accessibility of digital tools has democratized art creation but does not diminish the skill and effort required to produce high-quality digital art.
Today, digital art is a mainstream medium, with a wide range of applications in fine art, design, animation, and more. encompassing a wide range of artistic styles and techniques, including digital painting, 3D modelling, animation, and more. In recent years it has become increasingly popular due to its accessibility and versatility. Artists can create intricate and detailed works with digital tools that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods.
Like traditional art forms, digital art can evoke emotions, tell stories, and communicate ideas. It can be used in a variety of contexts, including advertising, entertainment, and fine art. Many museums and galleries now include digital art in their collections, recognizing its significance and impact on contemporary culture.
Digital art is a valid and respected form of artistic expression, with its own unique qualities and capabilities. It continues to evolve and push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of visual art.
If you wish to try out digital art and experiment with any of the tools available here is a list of the widely used tools:
- Adobe Creative Suite: Programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects offer powerful tools for digital painting, vector illustration, and animation.
- Procreate: A popular iPad app for digital drawing and painting with a wide range of brushes and tools.
- Clip Studio Paint: A versatile program for manga and comic creation, featuring specialized tools for inking and comic panel layout.
- Autodesk Sketchbook: A free app for digital drawing with a simple interface and a wide range of brushes and tools.
- Corel Painter: A powerful program for digital painting with realistic brush simulation and natural media effects.
Ultimately, the best tool for digital art is the one that best suits the artist's workflow and artistic goals. For me, I started out with photoshop and photobashing images together to create surreal images. As time progressed, I moved onto more of digital painting approach and starting using Procreate on a regular basis. All my images today are made by hand using Procreate, but being a bit of a techy I have tried many different tools, from Unreal Engine 4, Blender and Z Brush.
