Drawing and Painting Digital Cartoons
Why do I feel drawing and painting digital cartoons is better than traditional pencil and paper… Now since this is my own personal preference I think I am in titled to my own opinion. J
Since I create all of my illustrations into the computer, I would like to explain why I like to use the computer to draw and paint my artwork digitally. There is one huge advantage I can say that digitally creating my cartoons over the traditional, is the speed at which I can get my work done. I remember before I used the computer to create my cartoon illustrations I was always going through lots of sketch books. Not saying cost was a huge problem with sketch books, but this will bring me into my next plus in using the computer. As a traditional pencil and paper artist you always have to scan your artwork into the computer to make final touches or to make duplicates. Well unless you are using the highest grade scanner you always have to make adjustments to make sure you get the best scan possible.
Now if you just created your art right into the computer to begin with. Keeping in mind you know a little about resolution, if you do use the computer from the start you will always have a great image for publication or print.
Painting Digital Cartoons = No Mess!
I have to say, I am kind of a baby when it comes to messy art supplies. Another plus I feel for creating digital cartoons is that, I don’t have to worry about no mess afterwards! When I use the paints in Photoshop or Painter. I don’t have to worry about the mess when the final piece is complete. Now I think a lot of people will disagree with me because they probably feel like when they do get a little messy after a piece of art work. They would argue they feel like they have accomplished something. A master piece that took a little elbow grease requires a little mess!
The Computer is only a Tool
What it really boils down to is, the computer is only a tool. Just like anything else, when drawing or painting it always requires much time and dedication. There is a little bit of a curve when using the computer to do all of your work. However, I think at the end lots of artist would agree it does help speed things up a bit. Especially when getting proofs off to your client. Now days it just seems like everything is going digital. I don’t really know if that is a good thing or not. However right now its helping me out.
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About the Author: Graphic Artist / Illustrator / Photographer and computer "GEEK" - If I find something cool, I am always interested in sharing this with other people.. That is what is so great about the internet. LEAVE A COMMENT and share any thoughts or cool links that might benefit other people and there search!
-Chad
I would like to try digital drawing in the near future. I hope you don’t mind sharing information about the equipment you use, their cost, and where to buy them. Thank you.
Hi Chad. I think it is interesting that you think it is easier to draw on the computer. Do you use a Cintiq? I can understand if that is the case. Other sort of drawing tablets are very difficult for me to use because you are drawing in one place and seeing the result in another. However, when I draw on a Cintiq – I see the drawing WHERE I am drawing it…just like when I do it on paper. I still enjoy drawing on paper more than on the computer. It is funny that I am saying this considering that I run a site with an online drawing application – http:/www.drawinghowtodraw.com/ – LOL
Did you draw the cartoon character at the top of this article? You are an AMAZING cartoonist if you did. I’d love to see more of your work.
Thanks.
Rachel
I love working digitally too. I also love about a dozen or so other methods as well. I think you put it best when you state that the computer is JUST A TOOL. a true “purest” would argue that watercolor is NOT A LEGITIMATE method used for “real artwork” but only a tool for working out concepts. Many artists I know of criticize the use of an airbrush as being “gimmicky” or “cheating”, and ironically many airbrush enthusiasts criticize digital art for the same reasons. I use every method mentioned here because I simply enjoy the qualities of each of them. Being a student of the renaissance I’m very comfortable saying that if Michelangelo were alive today he’d work digitally (probably on a Mac).