The Difference.

Ive been asked before what the difference is between traditional methods and digital methods of art production. Well, you could write a book! literally, and there are libraries across the land full of how to, and this is how they, did it, literature. So I will say a little bit about the differences and

use my own methods to illustrate them.

To begin, This is a traditionally produced painting of mine (above). Its a book cover illustration, painted in acrylic and oils on Canvas board. The methods used to produce it, are passed down from artists from the past. They basically go like this; oil paint is a beautiful medium, gorgeous to work with, it has many qualities and is vastly versatile. (again, millions of books available!) It can be used thickly or thinly(diluted with other mediums). by using LAYERS (a key word!) the artwork can be built up, layer upon layer. The knowledge you need to know, to ascertain what colours mix with others, to make another colour, and the LEVEL of opacity to produce the desired effect are both learned, ( through training, art school etc) and natural ability. Too detailed to mention here, but lets consider then the process of LAYERS and LEVELS within a computer program.

The fantastic people who re invented the wheel by transferring the principles of the traditional methods of producing artwork on to a computer program (eg. Adobe) Have made it possible for artists/illustrators to transfer their own working practices, into digitally rendered artwork.

In my own illustrations, I produce artwork utilising this technology (which by the way, is growing in its potential almost daily)Below is a description of how LAYERS and LEVELS are built up digitally in The Wine Waiter.