Thursday, October 18, 2018

Digital Drawing Talk: Tablets To Drawing Software on A Budget

One of my earl digital drawings on Wacomb Bamboo Fun
For about 7  years I have been illustrating using a Wacomb Bamboo Fun Tablet with primarily Sketchbook Pro6. But for over four decades I drew and painted with actual physical art materials...paint, paper, pencils, markers and canvas. For me the reasons to try digital art making is because it helps me to overcome the physical barriers that arise as my muscles deteriorate due to my SMA. All I now need is a tablet, my computer and my creativity. No easels, heavy equipment, messy clean up. Don't get me wrong, all of that is great if you can create what you want and have the ability to manage all that goes with it. I am just trying to say that thanks to technology, those who want to create but have limited arm/hand/finger mobility and strength, not to give up. That digital drawing devices and software make virtual painting and drawing a possibility.

A page I drew by hand, scanned and completed digitally
Based on my experience so far in digital world, I have say what I have learned to help anyone else like me. Make sure you get a drawing tablet that has PRESSURE SENSITIVITY. This has been my biggest frustration. When I started out, it was as if I was a three year old using a pencil for the first time. Turns out there are drawing programs and devices that can help your experience be as real as using an actual pen or brush. If you don't have the right specs, the stylus is beyond hyper sensitive, flailing about with every tremor or even every breath you take...Hmmm....a song just popped into my head!

 Well because I have been crazily creating beads and such in polymer clay, I haven't used my Wacomb Bamboo Fiun tablet in a while. I was shocked when my laptop said it wasn't compatible. When in doubt unplug and re-plug devices. That worked part way but, the software drivers were gone. Reinstalling them, I can now get back to drawing!

However, as this was happening, I assumed it had finally broke down and I would need a new tablet. Not wasting a minute, I hit  up Amazon and started searching sites for the best affordable tablets. That lead to also researching Digital art application reviews. Wanting to avoid spending mega dollars, I was interested in a fun/great online YouTube Artist named JAZZA!  I am not comfortable with all of his content and advise parental supervision if browsing his channel. But I really enjoy his great personality and artistic talent. Since he is a modern young artist, he can help me update my old traditional ways. The video I am posting here is definitely "Suitable for All Ages." I recommend watching this if you are interested in finding a free to under twenty dollars digital art making program. I am going with his first choice. You will have to watch to find out which one!
JAZZA

Here is another great video giving great advice on becoming a digital artist, the first video is about purchasing a drawing tablet as well as some suggestions on drawing software/apps as well.
Nadiaxl

Nothing digital made this. I used coloured pencils and markers.
Thanks for stopping by. 

Friday, October 5, 2018

Finally Friday!: See My Dad's New Art Work!

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas 
Childhood Inspiration
Yay, it's Finally Friday! When you grow up in a creative family, you definitely are more likely to be creative yourself. It doesn't mean you won't be an artist if your parents didn't create, it just really helps. My parents always kept me well supplied with art making supplies. I remember before I fell in love with illustrating and painting, I really enjoyed all the craft making kits they would give me. Forgive me if I mentioned this before, but it is how much I loved getting to play around. Everything from wood burning kits, "Dip- It" liquid plastic, rug hooking, Spirograph, Coloured pencils, pints, pastels, plaster of paris, string art, macrame, weaving loom (Dad made me one and a spool knitting spool)...to even a paint by number set! Yes it is a sin now for anyone who paints, but hey it's great fun when you are a kid. So parents, encourage your child's creativity by providing them with art making supplies or anything that can be created with. Heck, I remember enjoying hours at my Grandma Harris' house cutting up styrofoam egg cartons to create teeny ashes and cutlery. Not to mention getting to create crafts with kits she would give me when I hung out there!
And then there's my Mom who taught me about crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. Creativity can be expressed in endless ways!

Dad Share
My Dad!
Wanted to share my Dad's newest painting that he shared wit us! He is an epic landscape painter who prefers oil paint. I like his detailed, layered brushwork. For those of you who don't know oil paint is the coloured pigments combined with oil mediums that make it oil paint. I tried it once and found it difficult because it takes much much longer to dry. The good thing that I liked, that you can re-work areas after. Unlike Acrylic (Water based, plastic like paint) that dries crazy fast. Fine if you know how to keep it wet with a spray bottle but frustrating if you don't.
It is worth buying a small Reeves oil paint set just to try them out. If you haven't decided what you like, you may fall in love with them.
Historically,  many of the famous artists we know of like Monet, Picasso, VanGogh, Kandinsky, Keefe and the Group of Seven, painted with oils. It is fun to learn and try the different paints that exist.
Paint Talk
Water colour and Gouache are the only paints that I know of and have worked with, that can be re-wet once dry. For instance once they dry in your palette, you can spray them with water and rehydrate them to use them some more. Whereas Acrylic, is tricky to keep from drying and then being useless. I and my husband keep them on a plastic plate for a palette, continuously moistened with water spray and stored in a sealed zip type bag. Oil Paints can be set aside during the day, with pretty much no worries about your palette drying out. To store, laying plastic wrap or sealing in a plastic container works too. Give them a try.
See Some More Of My Dad's Paintings!
Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas 
Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas 
Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

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Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

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Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Thanks for stopping by.