Digital V. Traditional art

There are some that claim an airbrush painting is not art, there are also those that claim that a photograph is not art. These options are based on the concept that a machine or an instrument is responsible for the end result, and bear little or no evidence of the artistic skill of its user. Today, when taking photos is so ubiquitous, do we need artists any longer? Who needs a portrait artist when you can snatch up your phone, take a photo, connect the phone to the printer, or take out its memory card and place that in the printer and print out a copy. (The computer as not used at all in this instance). Where will the professional portrait photographer be in the future? But getting back to my earlier comments, how far are we going to go in stating that the artist must not use a "machine" to create, is not a brush a machine? Or is there a difference between a machine and a tool? And when is a tool not a machine?

Traditional V: Digital Art

This copy was done with a dip pen and some watercolour. How might this have looked it were done digitally? And the more important question: would you consider it art, if it was done digitally? When a computer can at the a touch of a button, render a image lighter or darker, or even more impressively: change an image from a photo to a line drawing, don´t we have to start asking ourselves if the digital artist needs any talent/skill at all. OK, the digital artist still needs to know what looks good and what does not, but does he need to practice his drawing skills for instance?

Digital Art. v. Traditional Art

This copy was done with traditional mediums: Pencil with a watercolour background. It is still my preference over digital art work. But I have to admit, there is some really nifty pieces of art out there done in a digital format. Well done to all those artists. BUT, I also have to admit that I feel a little peevish, after spending a few hundred on software and hardware, only to find a few years later that the format I´m using is not longer used now. For instance photoshop: when I first stated with this: I used Photoshop4, now it seems I´m forced to upgrade to Photoshop6. This means that money must be spent on new software, and to add to this, my computer can not longer handle the requirements of the new software, so that means an added expense. Then I start to wonder if my drawing tablet will be compatible with the new "gear". I feel far to apprehensive to start looking at these possibilities. At the moment I do not need to buy new brushes and worry if they are compatible with the make of watercolour I have. So that is my main disinterest with digital art at the present time. But I´m intrigued with it anyway.

What is the the role of the Galleries?

Have you ever wondered what the correct role of the gallery should be? Is it to promote the artist, the gallery themselves or culture in general? We probably would like to think that they are there to culturally enrich the general public. Well at least I do. But my personal experience of late, has started to erode my confidence. But, there is also the nagging thought that the current economic climate and the internet/digital format may have a leading role in this. I think that more and more attention is now given to the digital artist, and if the traditional artist does not keep abreast, he or she will be left behind. It seems that the most traditional medium of all: oils, is less and less used. I have noticed that very little store room is given to the product in the stores, and to add to that thought, it is normally very badly stocked. But I have begun to digress from the original theme of today's blog: what is the role of the gallery?

And another take.....

And another take on the same drawing, but this time a little colour added in with chalk.

Same image again

I found that yesterdays drawing very entertaining to do, so I did it again. It is slightly different this time.

Have a good weekend

TGIF - do remember what that means? Have a good weekend everyone!

Albrecht Dürer again

Yes this is another copy of his great drawings, and there will be many more to follow.

Albrecht Dürer

A copy of Albrecht Dürer work, done with a little Conte in the background.

Simple drawing by Michelangelo

This copy when drawn was done on a slightly off white paper, but for some reason, when I took the photo and placed it on the computer, it came out slightly yellow. But all things considered it looked OK I suppose, the main interest was the drawing and not the colour of the paper.