People have been creating visual art since the dawn of humanity. A few decades ago artists used materials like paints and brushes to express themselves. However, today, modern means of exploring creativity offer a path for digital art. The introduction of technology into the creative process is perhaps one of the most significant cultural developments of the 20th century. So, let’s learn more about this interesting phenomenon that allows us, artists, to prove there are no limits to imagination and creativity.
What is Digital Art?
At its core, the idea of digital art is as simple as it goes: you paint – digitally.
Digital art is a contemporary art that uses the methods of mass production via digital media. It can be found on websites, logos, brochures; roadside billboards; illustrations, books, comics, 3D models, movies, animations, video games; and digital photo artwork (advertisements and posters). In general, art is considered being digital when it is created by a software on a computer platform. The result may be indistinguishable from non-digital paintings, but the process is entirely different, with its own challenges.
A brief history of Digital Art
At its inception, digital art developed a relationship between artists and scientists, who explored the connections between art and technology. Digital art slowly emerged in the late 1980s with the introduction of personal computers.
But let’s go back a little, have you ever heard of a group named EAT? (Mind you, it is not in any way connected to food). In 1967, engineers Billy Klüver, Fred Waldhauer, and artists Robert Rauschenberg and Robert Whitman formed Experiments in Art and Technology (EAT). The purpose was to explore the amalgamation of guess what?… Art with technology. This resulted in a series of installations and performances involving innovative electronic systems. These artworks were not strictly digital, but they rather laid the fundamental groundwork for what was yet to come.
The first use of the term digital art was in the early 1980s when computer engineers devised a paint program that would later be used by pioneering digital artist Harold Cohen. He worked directly with computer hardware and software to produce graphic images, unlike anything that had been done before. This became known as AARON, a robotic machine designed to produce drawings. People soon recognized the vast potential of it, and the digital art scene started booming.
Fast forward, forty years later we have a screen-dominated world with the average person spending ten hours a day on electronic devices. This has made creating digital art much affordable and explore this medium’s potential.
Examples of modern digital art
One of our favorite pieces of modern digital art was created by Michal Sawtyruk.
In general value shifts in the art refer to changes that are achieved by adding either black or white to the chosen color, which in this case is blue. The human eye is immediately drawn to light element against dark background. Which creates a focal point of interest. The artist created the illusion of depth by playing with this color palette. Also, areas with light colors give a three-dimensional illusion to the form of subject matter. In short, this is an elevated piece of digital art!
And of course, we have to present an example of our own as well. From some of my personal projects, I decided to share one that I could analyze on deeper levels.
What comes to your mind when you take a first glance at this piece? We do not often think about it but colors have a great way of setting or creating a mood like happiness or melancholy. Art is subjective, so let me share with you what I see here.
When creating an artwork, placement of appropriate colors or using them to define the elements has a fundamental role. The colors have to be in harmony, contributing one clear deep essence to the painting. As you can see, the major part is blue. Blue is the color of the ocean and sky as we all know, which symbolizes calmness, divinity, and a little bit of sadness. Also, the dark hue of the blues in this painting tells you that it is nighttime. The illustration was created from random scribbles, without any thought-out plan in advance. It was solely based on emotions and what I was feeling at the moment. In total, it turned out to be a soft, soothing, and compassionate painting, wouldn’t you agree?
Advantages of Digital Art
Versatile–It can be computer-generated, scanned and altered or drawn using a tablet and a mouse. Video edits are instantaneous and reversible.
Perfect copycat – It accurately recreates the original piece. Copies and the original versions look identical.
Cost-effective– For a little investment, well-crafted digital images can create a powerful impression on the viewer. For example, they serve as a CTA (call to action) in the advertising industry.
Engaging– Digital art is indispensable to attract audiences. It enhances communication and viewer comprehension and expands time for creative input.
Technology has gone through constant change and improvement over the years and certainly will continue to do so. Consequently, it’s inevitable that digital art will keep evolving in the years to come, creating stronger demand in the market and we’re here for it!
