I resisted buying an iPad for years. I didn’t need it. I didn’t want it. I prided myself on using actual materials for actual paintings, and maintaining old style slow time in this instant digital world. The truth is, I don’t actually make many actual paintings. I’m actually very busy. If I were go to the studio to set up for an actual painting, which I wouldn’t, because my to do list is longer than the page I wrote it on, but if I did it would take at least an hour before I was even looking at the thing on my easel, and another thirty minutes to get all the colors out on my palette and get my brushes wet. So on a busy day, which is all days, I just don’t go.
Lately I’ve been teaching online, and now this Christmas present iPad is just sitting on my desk. It’s three inches from my elbow. Know how long it would take for me to start a painting? 19 seconds. I just timed it. 13 more seconds to pull up a reference photo from my files, and I’m in. Know how long it takes to mix a color? 4 seconds. And when I’m ready to stop for a moment or for the day, clean-up takes zero seconds. Zero. If I’m going somewhere I can pop it in my bag. If I’m waiting for an appointment I can pull it out again. I can change paintings, try something, go back. To see my composition, I can zoom out. To change the composition to be better, I can add or cut. To change the colors or values, I can slide a bar. I can mix a color, layer, glaze, and edit faster than you can say “Gamblin.” No need to set aside a project I’m groovin’ on just because it’s wet. This thing is ready to go.
David Hockney, using Procreate on an iPad
Did you know David Hockney uses Procreate? Yes, an 82 year old man was ten years ahead of me.
“I bought an iPad as soon as they were out in 2010. (…) I began drawing on an iPad and I loved it. Of course I love drawing but I thought it was a terrific medium. Everything is at your fingertips, there’s no cleaning up.” – David Hockney Interview 2016
This is not a replacement for real paint. It’s an addition. It’s something I can do that’s easy and interesting. It’ll make me better with color, better with composition. I have no doubt it will make me a better painter, and reward me with creative moments I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
I know I can figure it out on my own, but I’m impatient, so I’m taking Keith’s Digital Painting classes. Care to join me? Spring classes start this week!
Digital Painting with Procreate, Wednesday Morning (Shortie) $95
Digital Painting with Procreate, Saturday Morning (Shortie) $95
Landscape Painting with Procreate, Wednesday Morning (Shortie) $95
Portrait Painting with Procreate, Saturday Morning (Shortie) $95
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! Previously, I posted funerary art from the 3rd through the 6th centuries. This post veers far out of that time range, but the unfinished Atlas Slave came up in discussion during today’s figure sculpture class. I got excited to share, so here they are. In 1505, Michelangelo was …
I asked Fran O’Neill from the New York Studio School to talk about her upcoming workshop “To Transcribe” and the benefits of transcribing masterworks. She offered a beautiful and inspiring response. Fran O’Neill’s 2 day workshop “To Transcribe” is coming to the Seattle Artist League October 24, 2020. Click here to learn more. “To Transcribe” …
1907-1997 Look how the grain of the wood became the courtyard gravel. I love when rather than making a material pretend to be something different, a material is a material, and just a little bit more. I have been looking at Kiyoshi’s woodblock prints. He was most famous for his “Winter in Aizu” series. Sorry …
Dear Ruthie, Uh, there will be vulgar language and sexxxy images in WTF Resist! I mean, even more vulgar language than usual from me. It’s all in the name of art! But I thought you should know. Let me know if you have guidelines beyond what common sensitivity dictates. Thanks, Suzanne Dear Suzanne, Ok I’ll …
Why I want to learn digital painting
I resisted buying an iPad for years. I didn’t need it. I didn’t want it. I prided myself on using actual materials for actual paintings, and maintaining old style slow time in this instant digital world. The truth is, I don’t actually make many actual paintings. I’m actually very busy. If I were go to the studio to set up for an actual painting, which I wouldn’t, because my to do list is longer than the page I wrote it on, but if I did it would take at least an hour before I was even looking at the thing on my easel, and another thirty minutes to get all the colors out on my palette and get my brushes wet. So on a busy day, which is all days, I just don’t go.
Lately I’ve been teaching online, and now this Christmas present iPad is just sitting on my desk. It’s three inches from my elbow. Know how long it would take for me to start a painting? 19 seconds. I just timed it. 13 more seconds to pull up a reference photo from my files, and I’m in. Know how long it takes to mix a color? 4 seconds. And when I’m ready to stop for a moment or for the day, clean-up takes zero seconds. Zero. If I’m going somewhere I can pop it in my bag. If I’m waiting for an appointment I can pull it out again. I can change paintings, try something, go back. To see my composition, I can zoom out. To change the composition to be better, I can add or cut. To change the colors or values, I can slide a bar. I can mix a color, layer, glaze, and edit faster than you can say “Gamblin.” No need to set aside a project I’m groovin’ on just because it’s wet. This thing is ready to go.
Did you know David Hockney uses Procreate? Yes, an 82 year old man was ten years ahead of me.
“I bought an iPad as soon as they were out in 2010. (…) I began drawing on an iPad and I loved it. Of course I love drawing but I thought it was a terrific medium. Everything is at your fingertips, there’s no cleaning up.” – David Hockney Interview 2016
This is not a replacement for real paint. It’s an addition. It’s something I can do that’s easy and interesting. It’ll make me better with color, better with composition. I have no doubt it will make me a better painter, and reward me with creative moments I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
I know I can figure it out on my own, but I’m impatient, so I’m taking Keith’s Digital Painting classes. Care to join me? Spring classes start this week!
Digital Painting with Procreate, Wednesday Morning (Shortie) $95
Digital Painting with Procreate, Saturday Morning (Shortie) $95
Landscape Painting with Procreate, Wednesday Morning (Shortie) $95
Portrait Painting with Procreate, Saturday Morning (Shortie) $95
Related Posts
Michelangelo’s unfinished slaves
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! Previously, I posted funerary art from the 3rd through the 6th centuries. This post veers far out of that time range, but the unfinished Atlas Slave came up in discussion during today’s figure sculpture class. I got excited to share, so here they are. In 1505, Michelangelo was …
Fran O’Neill on Transcribing Masterworks
I asked Fran O’Neill from the New York Studio School to talk about her upcoming workshop “To Transcribe” and the benefits of transcribing masterworks. She offered a beautiful and inspiring response. Fran O’Neill’s 2 day workshop “To Transcribe” is coming to the Seattle Artist League October 24, 2020. Click here to learn more. “To Transcribe” …
Saitō Kiyoshi
1907-1997 Look how the grain of the wood became the courtyard gravel. I love when rather than making a material pretend to be something different, a material is a material, and just a little bit more. I have been looking at Kiyoshi’s woodblock prints. He was most famous for his “Winter in Aizu” series. Sorry …
Re: Resisting
Dear Ruthie, Uh, there will be vulgar language and sexxxy images in WTF Resist! I mean, even more vulgar language than usual from me. It’s all in the name of art! But I thought you should know. Let me know if you have guidelines beyond what common sensitivity dictates. Thanks, Suzanne Dear Suzanne, Ok I’ll …