Digital Graphite

[Laurene]

I've been learning to draw digitally in Procreate on an ipad. I see wonderful artwork done with this simple program and what I like best is that I was able to adapt traditional drawing methods to this new medium.

It's definitely convenient when you just want to try out new ideas but I'm starting to think that you take this all the way to a complete drawing. It's also been a blessing because I've had vision problems for a couple of years now. I still draw traditionally but I do use a magnifying glass and progress is slow. I won't stop drawing traditionally but with this tool I can zoom in as much as I like and it's taking a lot of the frustration away from a hobby I love.

I'd be interested in hearing everyone's opinion of this not so much as an alternative to traditional drawing, but just as a new medium with it's own possibilities. I posted a couple of early examples here: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=140

This was my approach so far. The idea of using guidelines for feather directions is just something I used to use for pen and ink drawings. The beak still looks "plastic" to me like a lot of digital art does.

DWM - LSpino-Canada Goose 01 - digital.jpg

DWM - LSpino-Canada Goose 02 - digital.jpg

DWM - LSpino-Canada Goose 03 - digital.jpg

[PogArt-Ttoo]

...with this tool I can zoom in as much as I like and it's taking a lot of the frustration away from a hobby I love.

I just have checked out your another very good looking attempt Laurene.
I like the way you're doing the subtle shading around the head and the neck.
You've mention the zoom regarding the digital work, this is benefit I do enjoy very much too.
My desktop monitor is 32", somebody might say - wow it's a large piece of space, well it is, but even though it's 32" I can not precisely place the tinny strokes at tidy areas...
This is where I'm thankful for zoom ability
When painting on traditional canvas or paper we can not zoom the canvas, lol, so we have to do our best to place the strokes exactly where we need them...
I found it much easier when zooming...
There's no need to force the sight any more, and I do understand your point very well Laurene
Beautiful drawing - I bet it's unfinished?
Will you carry on improving the beak yet?

[Laurene]

No, you're right, it isn't finished yet. I have to finish the neck and then decide if I want to do the back feathers. I still haven't figured out if I can make the beak look less plastic and more leathery. I think maybe I need to tone down the contrasts.

[PogArt-Ttoo]

That's great!, because I'm craving for more updates
Unfortunately I'm struggling with the texture myself, so I can't give you any advice...
I know that artists aplying the diffeeent texture using the papers
They do change the paper and then they painting or drawing over some area to apply that paper's texture over it ...
I've never done it yet, but had seen some artist drawing the bird, and he was using that different paper textures while dealing with different features of the bird ...
The above skill could help you deal with the goose for sure.
I'm after to learn it as well, but haven't been looking for tutorials yet.

[Darkhorse]

Looks fantastic Laurene, Love the feather textures and tonal quality. I get what you mean about the beak and I have noticed this same effect on quite a lot of digital art. Sorry, cant help, I don't have the experience in using digital art.
I tried digital art some years ago (using Photoshop or Corel painter) but while I enjoyed it, it didn't replace the feeling I get drawing traditionally, so haven't followed up with digital.
Bev

[Laurene]

Thanks Bev. I don't think this will ever replace paper in my case, but I am enjoying it at the moment. It's fun to just curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea next to me and my cat purring at my feet and the iPad balanced on my lap! I do think I'll be more inclined to just draw for a few moments every day rather than waiting for a block of time of an hour or two on the weekend, do you know what I mean?

Here is an update. I'm picking up methods that simulate the way I draw on paper, for example how to simulate lifting with blu-tack, or layering with a chisel point, but essentially I'm just drawing traditionally on a computer screen.

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Every experience counts - I'd say
Once I lost my dog there's no way to replace it, but I can have other dog and love it too
Having experience how to deal with the first dog, may help me to deal with the other one
We all will agree, that if we could have had a bunch of different dogs in our past, the gathered experience will be beneficial to the way we will understand every another dog we may have ...
Not necessarily to replace one by another

Sorry for the unfortunate comparison, but I hope I managed to describe the full picture in my story

The iPad in your case is not to replace anything
There's many things around us we won't will to replace ever.

[Laurene]

I agree with you Artur. Every experience should stand on its own. Like art mediums, they all have value.

Here's another update. Thanks for following along.

DWM - LSpino-Canada Goose 05 - digital.jpg

[LindasPencils]

Every experience should stand on its own. Like art mediums, they all have value

Exactly! Frankly I have always considered the computer as just another medium - a super charged pencil if you like. Each medium has it's own pluses and minuses. When I draw with pencil I sure do wish sometimes for that 'Command-Z' to undo! lol. And when I draw on the tablet I really miss the 'feel' and the grip of the pencil over paper. I often think that the Old Masters would have cheerfully embraced the technology! Certainly for compositional uses. I have used Photoshop and a Wacom tablet for two decades (yes folks, since Photoshop 1.1 in 1990 - I am that old) and have always enjoyed using it. But I always return to the pencil and paper.

this bird is looking very good Laurene. You are doing an excellent job. Are you still unsure about the beak? It looks fine to me, but have you tried using a filter over the top? I am not up to date with Photocreate so not sure of its functions... this is how I would do it in Photoshop- start by selecting the beak using one of the selection tools available (lasso, pen, wand) and copy it to a new document. Keep the selection active then go through the filter menu. There should be different options available such as 'watercolour' or 'charcoal' and the like as well as ways to change the lighting from 'plastic' to 'spot' or something. Fiddle around a bit and see what happens. If you find one you like, save it, copy the selection again and paste back to your drawing onto a NEW LAYER. the new layer is critical if you don't want to overwrite the old.

Have fun and keep up the interesting work.

[Laurene]

Thanks Linda. I really am enjoying it although I agree that I miss the feel of pencil on paper. I ordered a screen protector that is supposed to give more of a paper feel. I’m looking forward to trying it.

I am more pleased with the beak now. I kept it and the eye on separate layers from the feathers since they required a lot more blending. I was able to add a layer above the beak layer and I added strokes (unblended) in order to add back some texture. I’m just using one of the pencil brushes that comes with procreate and using a traditional drawing approach. I think that’s the reason that I’m finding the transition to digital quite natural.