Discussion: Different art media

[mekare]

So, a thing I thought about just now, after having done the recent challenge in pastels...

What is your preferred medium of choice? What exactly do you like about it? Is it special techniques or effects that other media don't provide? Is it the haptic experience? Is it the cost? Childhood experiences? Art from artists you admire? The "comfort zone" due to practice?

What brings you to push yourself into trying a less practised/or new medium? (Is it a mood, a character/situation, just variety, inspiration from other artists using that medium ...)

Do you ever play around with a mix of traditional and digital media?

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For example, I just did a smallish pastel drawing (will post tomorrow when I have good light for taking a photo) because I miss working with colour. The format isn't really great for using pastels or even pastel pencils because the medium just isn't so great for detail work. (I think I remember a post by Alby Mangroves, for example, where she had a photo of her works on huge formats. There you can put in detail more easily).

Yesterday I tried using coloured pencils (which I rediscovered for a challenge piece this week) and found that things I do in other media don't work with them). It got a tad frustrating and I wished I had done the art on watercolour paper so I could used those instead.

Media I use (roughly in order of frequence): pencil, watercolour, pastels, ink/felt pens and the like

I'm just really interested in your experiences with or feelings about the different media we have available for drawing.

Comments

Warning: long and a bit overshared

[minoanmiss]

My preferred medium has actually changed due to issues in my life.

I used to love drawing (with colored pencils and gel pens) on shrink plastic, and turning the results into fridge magnets or holiday ornaments or pendants. I loved the small size and saturated detail of the results.

My eyesight got worse, though, around the time I gained more access to computer tech. My boyfriend gave me a scanner, which is the Best Thing Ever. Still, I can't draw on shrink plastic or with pencils anymore -- I simply can't see the lines. The strong outline in my current art is done in marker, simply because I can actually see it. I'd rather use something finer, but my eyesight prohibits it.

So now I draw with paper and marker, and scan into the computer where I correct and color using a MS paint clone. (I really should learn Photoshop.) I can still make fridge magnets but I haven't in awhile; what I have made a lot of are stickers, which satisfy my artistic urges towards small detailed artworks and are easier to give away.

My eyesight is still deteriorating, though. I hope I don't have to go to crayons next, she said with a half smile.

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[mific]

It’s great that you’ve been able to adapt to use larger format and digital techniques, and sorry to hear about your eyesight - that sounds frustrating. With me it’s carpal tunnel affecting my hands badly if I draw or paint too long.
Honestly, for what you want I think Photoshop is too unwieldy and excessively complex - it also tends to pack a lot of small detail into the screen, re tools, icons, etc. I vastly prefer my old PS 5.0 version but it only runs on my old PC now and both their days are numbered! There are probably other programs out there midway between MSPaint and PS that’d suit you better. Maybe someone else can recommend something? I looked into options recently but the only other alternative I’ve tried is Rebelle2, which might work okay as long as you have a big monitor. You can certainly scan art then work on it there. Rebelle3 is just out, I think.

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[minoanmiss]

Thank you a lot for the information about the Rebelle programs, and just generally for responding to me so Kindly!

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[mekare]

Wow I have never heard of shrink plastic, so thanks fro introduing me to something new.

Sorry about your eyesight, but it sounds like you found some ways to work around it. The bold lines actually make for a very distinctive style IMO.

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[minoanmiss]

Oh, cool, thank you. :D

Shrink plastic is awesome, and fortunately I can still print my art onto it with the printer I was given.

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[amberdreams]

That is something I fear very much, losing my eyesight - especially after a brush with corneal scarring thanks to shingles in my eye. I've been really lucky, the scarring stopped before if impaired my vision too much, and now I just have an annual check to make sure it's not spreading farther across the cornea. the steroid drops I was given gave me a cataract though, so I had to have the lens replaced. It's all quite scary, so it's encouraging to hear how you are adapting in spite of your problems.
What is causing your declining vision?

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[minoanmiss]

Adventures in corneas! I have keratoconus, and it's getting worse. But I will keep trying to make what I can.

It is scary, though. I hear you, and thank you for reaching out to me.

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[amberdreams]

I just read up about keratoconus -it sounds not only scary but hugely frustrating too. I hope you are able to access the treatments the article I read was recommending. Plus I understand that even though you are adapting and being mighty brave, there will be times when you just want to have a melt down about it. So I also hope you have someone close to lean on when you have those melt-down moments!

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[goss]

Cool that you make ♥stickers♥!! Also, I'd never even heard about shrink wrap crafts until you just mentioned it. I just went on YouTube and saw how it works. OMG MAGIC, it's amazing!

And I'm so glad that despite challenges with your eyesight, you've found ways to consistently produce lovely, creative work that we're all enjoying at the community. :)

Re: Warning: long and a bit overshared

[minoanmiss]

*blsuhes* Thank you very much. :) I've been drawing all my life, I'll keep it up as long as I can.