Graphic pen - v - the pencil

annie · 07-08-2006

This is a first so be gentle I am preparing for my dissertation and I am trying to establish opinions as to whether concept an illustration artists are more or less likely to have a traditional art background, or with the rise in the use of computers are they more likely to have started with a graphic pen rather than the pencil? Please let me know your opinions. Thanks

gingerbloke · 07-08-2006

For me I like the best of both worlds. The traditional pencil and paper is great for sketching out ideas and I often use them to draw my cartoons before scanning them into my PC. The graphic pen however is then used once they are scanned in to tidy things up,add colour and manipulate backgrounds etc. I studied at art college for 4 years many moons ago...well before computers were thought to be a handy tool for artists. I love them both in equal terms...the graphic pen and pencil get on fine!

c3400 · 07-09-2006

Oh, I agree with gingerbloke. Not that I have studied art for 4 years, but.. well, the thing we are all talking about here. Computers and pencils. Of course. Me studying art would be ridicolous.

No offence, dude! Altough I never thought that you would feel so, but I figured that it's best to make sure no one gets hurt. Art is realy cool, but it is nothing for me to study.

bedlam123 · 07-09-2006

I did not really start drawing until I began using PS and I just marched on from there. But, my daughter, on the other hand, has been drawing with pencil, charcoal, chalk, and paint since she could manage to hold things in her fingers. She has in the last 4 years began her journey to computer arts. Both of us use drawing pens. I use mine even when I doodle, she uses hers after she has a drawing and is ready to transfer it to the computer.

You are usually more creative when you are comfortable, whatever works well for you is what you should use.

Heruka · 07-09-2006

I have sketched compulsively with a pencil ever since I was four or five, methinks. I've never had any formal education in art; it was (and is) a hobby for me. I've become quite good over the years (I'm 17 now), but, significantly, I have never used a graphics tablet. It has always been pencil, and extremely rarely, pen. A tablet is just too expensive for me to afford, but I am very well aware of the challenges the 'sketch-scan-PS' mode of production entails, because tidying up, colouring...everything, in fact, has to be done with my mouse. Not very pleasant at all. Thus, I'm painfully aware of how important a tablet is for artists at this stage, where most art is finished, or even entirely concieved, digitally. I won't pass judgement on which is better, a tablet or a pencil, because I'm not in a position to do so, but as far as experience suggests, the road to digital via traditional needs both of these equally. I'm sure the case would be seen differently by exclusively traditional or exclusively digital artists, but since I use both media (I'd say I'm standing on the doorstep...neither in nor out ;}), I feel I require both a pencil and a tablet.

annie · 07-10-2006

Thanks for the great help, It's nice to see it's a great big world out there.

gingerbloke · 07-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedlam123

You are usually more creative when you are comfortable, whatever works well for you is what you should use.

What wise words from Bedlam123. I think that sums it up to be honest. Sticky bits of paper,crayons,graphic tabs,pencils,stencils,air brushes,chalks,pastels,oils or watercolours...whatever you use shouldn't make any difference at all as long as you are feeling comfortable and happy with the end result. You also do not need to study to be creative...that's the whole point of creativity.