Artists & Illustrators — June 2017

66 Artists & Illustrators

WHETHER YOU ARE RESISTING OR EMBRACING

TECHNOLOGY, TUTOR AL GURY EXPLAINS HOW

YOU CAN REAP THE REWARDS BY TAKING A

FEW SIMPLE STEPS INTO THE DIGITAL DOMAIN

S

ome students eagerly explore digital drawing, while

others avoid it. Many artists debate the legitimacy of

digital drawing much as they do that of photography.

Is it art or not? Is it just a tool or a legitimate form of fine art

in its own right? Regardless of the answer, it’s inarguable that

digital drawing is extremely useful. But there

are issues for teachers and practitioners to

consider: is it necessary for a student to learn

traditional hand-drawing skills if a computer

can draw for them? Is skill in drawing by hand

needed to make a really good digital drawing?

An interesting test is to see whether a student

can do the same drawing project with equal

facility on a computer pad using a stylus as

on a paper using a pencil.

What students lack in hand skills may limit

their computer drawing skills. The subtle

effects that can be achieved with traditional

drawing materials and techniques should

make those who draw on computers more

sensitive to the images they are making, and

more aware of the aesthetic and creative

possibilities. The goal for artists who are

extremely proficient in digital drawing is to incorporate their

equally strong skills and aesthetic sensibilities in handwork

into the computer art. Artist, illustrator and educator Mark

Tocchet, whose work in digital media and traditional materials

GET STARTED WITH

DIGITAL DRAWING

HOW TO

DIGITAL art

tools

Hardware and software

options include:

• MAC (APPLE)
  COMPUTER


• WACOM INTUOS
  TABLET


• ADOBE PHOTOSHOP


• ADOBE
  ILLUSTRATOR


• CORELDRAW
  GRAPHICS SUITE

ABOVE Mark Tocchet, Apple Still Life, graphite process,

Mac OS Corel Painter and stylus on Wacom tablet

66 Al Gury.indd 66 06/04/2017 15:34