The first time I ever sat down at a computer was in my dad’s office, deep inside a secure area of O’Hare Int’l (try that now, kids). It was a green-screen airline reservations terminal which also had (I think) BASIC on it.
My first thought was this is just like Star Wars.
My second thought was how can I make art with this thing?
My sister and I made pictures by typing out patterns of numbers and printing them on the dot matrix. Sorry about using up all that paper, Dad. We thought it was a continuous stream from the basement.
Skip ahead a few years and see me struggle in Microsoft Paint, using a mouse. That was some horrible art. I think I actually hurt some people’s feelings.
These days, I have wised up considerably. My paper-wasting days are over and I no longer arch my wrist in a foppish Oscar Wilde pose while using a little plastic box to make my digital art.
Now I use a tablet and digital pen. Ahhhh, now that’s like it oughta be. In fact, I’ve been using the same tablet for almost ten years. We’re pals.
If you’ve never used one of these little pieces of heaven before, check out the most popular brand (my brand) at the WACOM site.
They aren’t complicated, I promise. It does take a little getting used to, but once you get into the rhythm of the tablet you’ll probably start using it as your mouse for other stuff, too.
For most of my work, I don’t create the drawing in the computer with the tablet and pen. Some digital artists do this and are just incredibly skilled at it. It ain’t my thang, but I do admire it. Typically I start by scanning a completed drawing and trace that. That’s the short version, my process is a little more involved – for now it’ll do.
However, one thing I love to do with the pen is create brush strokes right in the computer. Depending on your application, you can adjust pressure settings on the tablet pen and brush tool to “paint” in the computer. It’s almost like the real thing. It’s less messy, anyway.
I trained as a traditional artist and creating illustration in the computer wasn’t fun when I first tried it out. I hated it.
Now, every piece if artwork I deliver to my clients is digital. Even if it starts out on paper, the final art is electronic. So, when the apocalypse comes, I’ll have to start over. Thankfully I still have those cave drawing skills to fall back on.
If you’re wondering about these tablet thingies but don’t know what (or if) to buy, give me a shout. I’m happy to help you choose the right thing.
Just send me an e-mail and tell me about what kind of art you’re doing and what you’d like to do. I’ll reply with something hopefully witty and at least a little bit helpful.
