The Digital Sketching Stage
The first step to creating a digital painting is
to acquire the photo references. The artist begins
by taking her own photographs, although she may
also work from existing photos or scan negatives
if necessary. Working digitally, she is able to
combine photographs, rearrange compositional elements,
remove or add elements, and modify color schemes
just as she would do previously when creating composite
sketches on paper. All composite sketches are produced
digitally now whether painting traditionally or
digitally.
The Digital Tools
The digital painting itself is created on the
computer using state-of-the-art natural media software
with a tablet and stylus in place of brushes and
canvas. Using a tablet and stylus instead of a mouse
is a necessity as it allows very precise hand movement
and detail as well as providing the ablity to create
strokes that behave more like real paint.
The Painting Process
Each stroke is painted by hand, stroke by stroke,
with custom-built digital brushes she has created
to simulate her own traditional oil painting technique
as realistically as possible. Regardless of whether
the process involves traditional paint or digital
paint she begins with a neutral value umber or
sepia tone canvas, lays down an underpainting
of simplified color and value notes and then gradually
builds on the detail until satisfied. These works
are not created simply by applying art
filters to the image.
Similarly, she also has created digital brushes
and workflow processes for watercolor and pastels
for working in those media.
The Digital Advantage
There are many advantages to painting digitally,
the most signifiicant being the ability to work
on layers. Layers may be modified individually,
allowing an artist to make significant changes
or experiment in ways he/she might not otherwise.
With a palette of millions of colors, canvas/paper
sizes that are only limited by printer sizes,
and an incredibly wide array of simulated drawing
and painting media to use, it is a cost-effective
way to produce high quality art and illustration.
It should not be at all surprising that digital
art poduction already thrives in the commercial
world of game design, film, and book illustration.
The Giclée Print
Paintings are printed with archival K3 Ultrachrome
inks on a 17" Epson Stylus Pro 4800 as museum-quality
giclées on the highest quality archival
papers available today. Papers used include Museo
Silver Rag photo paper, Museo Max fine art watercolor
paper and GEO Canvas for the stretched canvas.
All giclée prints have an expected life
of over a hundred years.
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