Design and Create: Computer Graphics and Digital Art
Explore information about digital art and graphic design as a profession or hobby. Find software tools and tips for creating original computer graphics and digital art, plus information for getting started in a graphic design or computer graphics career.
Art-Oriented Software Programs
These art-oriented software programs are designed especially for painting, drawing, coloring, and creating original art work. Although some of them also offers tools for working with pre-existing images, the emphasis is on art and the creation process. Most of them have tools to mimic traditional artistic media such as oils, watercolors, acrylics, pencils, markers, crayons, chalk, pastels, and fe…
These art-oriented software programs are designed especially for painting, drawing, coloring, and creating original art work. Although some of them also offers tools for working with pre-existing images, the emphasis is on art and the creation process. Most of them have tools to mimic traditional artistic media such as oils, watercolors, acrylics, pencils, markers, crayons, chalk, pastels, and fe…
Gifts for Aspiring Artists
Art and technology, what a wonderful combination! These selections would make great gifts for any digital art enthusiast, whether professional or amateur. There's sure to be something here for most any budget, and if you see something you'd like for yourself, the "Email this page" link at the bottom of the page makes a convenient way to send a hint to Santa! (Updated: Oct. 2007)
Art and technology, what a wonderful combination! These selections would make great gifts for any digital art enthusiast, whether professional or amateur. There's sure to be something here for most any budget, and if you see something you'd like for yourself, the "Email this page" link at the bottom of the page makes a convenient way to send a hint to Santa! (Updated: Oct. 2007)
Does Graphics Software Weaken Drawing Skills?
University instructors today are lamenting students' use of graphics software, saying it weakens classic drawing skills. Is this just another case of technophobia?
University instructors today are lamenting students' use of graphics software, saying it weakens classic drawing skills. Is this just another case of technophobia?
Electric Paint Exhibition Recognizes Digital Art
Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin is formally recognizing digital art in a new exhibition titled "Electric Paint: The Computer as 21st Century Canvas." The free exhibition runs from April 15 through June 18 2006 at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin is formally recognizing digital art in a new exhibition titled "Electric Paint: The Computer as 21st Century Canvas." The free exhibition runs from April 15 through June 18 2006 at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Digital Paintings Gallery
This inspiring gallery displays original digital art work created primarily using a pixel-based "painting" program like Corel Painter, ArtRage, Alias Sketchbook, or Adobe Photoshop.
This inspiring gallery displays original digital art work created primarily using a pixel-based "painting" program like Corel Painter, ArtRage, Alias Sketchbook, or Adobe Photoshop.
Digital Drawings Gallery
This inspiring gallery displays original digital art work created primarily using vector-based "drawing" programs like CorelDRAW, Xara, Expression Designer, or Adobe Illustrator.
This inspiring gallery displays original digital art work created primarily using vector-based "drawing" programs like CorelDRAW, Xara, Expression Designer, or Adobe Illustrator.
Art-Oriented Software For Painting, Drawing, Coloring And Creating Original Art Work
These art-oriented software programs are designed especially for painting, drawing, coloring, and creating original art work. Most of them have tools to mimic traditional artistic media such as oils, watercolors, acrylics, pencils, markers, crayons, chalk, pastels, felt pens. Many of them also offer a variety of unusual, non-traditional tools.
These art-oriented software programs are designed especially for painting, drawing, coloring, and creating original art work. Most of them have tools to mimic traditional artistic media such as oils, watercolors, acrylics, pencils, markers, crayons, chalk, pastels, felt pens. Many of them also offer a variety of unusual, non-traditional tools.
Transparency From Here to There
So, you just painstakingly removed the background from an image and now you want to use the partially transparent image somewhere else. What do you do? Well, the answer isn't simple--it depends on where you are going with it. So let's take a look at your options.
So, you just painstakingly removed the background from an image and now you want to use the partially transparent image somewhere else. What do you do? Well, the answer isn't simple--it depends on where you are going with it. So let's take a look at your options.
Removing Backgrounds and Maintaining Transparency
An overview of the various approaches you can take for removing a backgound from an image and maintaining transparency when moving images between programs.
An overview of the various approaches you can take for removing a backgound from an image and maintaining transparency when moving images between programs.
Advanced Illustration Programs
Compare prices on the top illustration and drawing programs for high-end professional design and business use.
Compare prices on the top illustration and drawing programs for high-end professional design and business use.
Advanced Photo Editors for Windows
When choosing a photo editor for professional or business use, you need flexibility, stability, and an intuitive interface which provides a streamlined workflow. Here are my picks for Windows image editors that best fit these requirements.
When choosing a photo editor for professional or business use, you need flexibility, stability, and an intuitive interface which provides a streamlined workflow. Here are my picks for Windows image editors that best fit these requirements.
Advanced Photo Editors for Macintosh
When choosing a photo editor for professional or business use, you need flexibility, stability, and an intuitive interface which provides a streamlined workflow. Here are my picks for Macintosh image editors that best fit these requirements.
When choosing a photo editor for professional or business use, you need flexibility, stability, and an intuitive interface which provides a streamlined workflow. Here are my picks for Macintosh image editors that best fit these requirements.
Gifts for Aspiring Artists
These selections would make great gifts for any digital art enthusiast, whether professional or amateur.
These selections would make great gifts for any digital art enthusiast, whether professional or amateur.
Bundled Graphics Suites
Graphics suites combine image editing, illustration, page layout, Web design, and typography functionality in one package. Buying a graphics suite is a good way to save money and streamline your workflow. Compare prices on the top graphics suites for Macintosh and Windows.
Graphics suites combine image editing, illustration, page layout, Web design, and typography functionality in one package. Buying a graphics suite is a good way to save money and streamline your workflow. Compare prices on the top graphics suites for Macintosh and Windows.
Does Everything Still Start with a Pencil?
Tim writes: "In reading the profiles of professional computer artists, I am surprised by how many say that they do all of their preliminary sketching with pencil and paper... Is a pencil and paper still so much better for getting your thoughts out than any computer graphics program, or have these artists simply not completely freed themselves of old habits?"
Tim writes: "In reading the profiles of professional computer artists, I am surprised by how many say that they do all of their preliminary sketching with pencil and paper... Is a pencil and paper still so much better for getting your thoughts out than any computer graphics program, or have these artists simply not completely freed themselves of old habits?"
Digital and Traditional Art
From the discussion forum: "I was just wondering how digital art has been influenced by traditional art and vice versa. Anyone have any insight into this?" This discussion prompted many interesting comments from various perspectives. Check it out and add your own viewpoints to the discussion.
From the discussion forum: "I was just wondering how digital art has been influenced by traditional art and vice versa. Anyone have any insight into this?" This discussion prompted many interesting comments from various perspectives. Check it out and add your own viewpoints to the discussion.
Digital Artist Trading Cards - ATCs from the Computer
Artist trading cards are an artform designed for sharing. There are few rules associated with artist trading cards or ATCs. Primarily, the size, method of distribution, and contact info are the only rules.
Artist trading cards are an artform designed for sharing. There are few rules associated with artist trading cards or ATCs. Primarily, the size, method of distribution, and contact info are the only rules.
Graphic Arts & Design Careers with the CIA
Put your graphics skills to work doctoring photos for the CIA. Desktop Publishing Guide Jacci Howard Bear outlines the graphic arts and design jobs that are available with the Central Intelligence Agency.
Put your graphics skills to work doctoring photos for the CIA. Desktop Publishing Guide Jacci Howard Bear outlines the graphic arts and design jobs that are available with the Central Intelligence Agency.
Is Freelance Design and Publishing the Right Career for You?
Discover if you have the traits necessary to successfully be a freelance designer. Talent in design or proficience with software are only part of the necessary requirements to starting a freelance design and publishing business. From About Desktop Publishing.
Discover if you have the traits necessary to successfully be a freelance designer. Talent in design or proficience with software are only part of the necessary requirements to starting a freelance design and publishing business. From About Desktop Publishing.
Right Brain / Left Brain Quiz
From About Painting: "Our right brain is visual and processes information by looking first at the whole picture then the details. Our left brain is verbal and processes information by looking first at the pieces then putting them together to get the whole." This 20 question quiz tests whether your thinking is dominated by your right or left brain.
From About Painting: "Our right brain is visual and processes information by looking first at the whole picture then the details. Our left brain is verbal and processes information by looking first at the pieces then putting them together to get the whole." This 20 question quiz tests whether your thinking is dominated by your right or left brain.
Becoming a Professional Artist
Some tips from other designers on going pro.
Some tips from other designers on going pro.
Escher - Interlocking Shapes & Tessellation
An engineer's perspective on Escher's interlocking shape drawings. Technical, but interesting reading.
An engineer's perspective on Escher's interlocking shape drawings. Technical, but interesting reading.
Itchy Animation - Exploring Light in Photography and Art
"There seems to be very little information available in detailed form on what appears to me to be a crucial subject for artists of all kinds: light in all the guises in which we encounter it on a daily basis... Yet to anyone wishing to create an illusion of reality should have a good understanding of how light behaves in the physical world."
"There seems to be very little information available in detailed form on what appears to me to be a crucial subject for artists of all kinds: light in all the guises in which we encounter it on a daily basis... Yet to anyone wishing to create an illusion of reality should have a good understanding of how light behaves in the physical world."