By Michelle Osuagwu
Everyone knows about the famous Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci and Michel Angelo. But do you know Beeple? Alexis Franklin? Or how about… Antoni Tudisco? I’m guessing the answers are No, No, and a definite No. But if you do know, that is quite shocking.
That means you have an idea of what this whole thing is about, and that is, Digital Art.
Firstly, what is digital art to begin with? People usually say it’s just doodling on your phone, but that’s not true, (Well, partly true) dear reader, digital art can be defined as any artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative process. It can also refer to art that uses and engages with digital media. From black and white photographs to colorful, creative art pieces. Isn’t that just wonderful?
The very first photograph ever taken was during the years 1826 and 1827 by French inventor and earliest pioneers of photography, Nicéphore Niépce. The photo was of his estate in Saint-Lop-de-Varennes (Yes, that’s the actual name) in Burgundy, France. He took that photograph using camera obscura (The 5th century camera).
Now, off with all that boring history. Time for the present and for the new and improved digital art style.
There are many and I mean many advantages to Digital art compared to the Traditional art that we are used to, not that it is old fashion; it is still relevant even today, but right now, we want to try something new.
The electronic tools needed (which is just a touch screen device, like a tablet with any of those electronic pencils, if you got the money for it) are easy to find and there’s no need to get upset over any errors.
For Papers though, when you make a mistake, you just crumple it out of annoyance and pure frustration then shove it in the dustbin, but for apps like Clip Studio Paint? Just tap the ‘undo’ button and you are good to go. Another interesting thing is that the apps are free, like Ibis Paint X, Sketchbook except apps like Procreate and Adobe Photoshop, but if you want the best of the best and have about 20 dollars, go for it. Digital art is also pretty easy to keep, you can just save it on your device until the device wears out and stops functioning.
Digital art has numerous benefits as does Traditional art, since it gives off a sense of originality and that vintage taste which I personally find interesting.
In a nutshell, Digital art is the future of oil paints and watercolours. ‘Everyday: the First 5000Days’- a 2021 digital painting by Mike Winkelmann known professionally as Beeple is our new ‘The Starry Night’-an 1889 traditional oil on canvas painting by Vincent Van Gogh. Embrace the new form of creating art today in the form of digital painting and design.
Michelle is of Lead British International School, Abuja
