The Virtual Studio

L Skylar Brown wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 4:26 PM

As many of you have noticed, I am posting many Computer Generated Art Pieces.

I have gotten into it slowly, mainly from a lack of expertise in the use of diff computer software & formats, but that has changed, since I have acquired several programs that can produce anything from a 3D animation to a totally traditional Artist Image.

It's time for a Digital Forum, so this is my attempt to spark interest in enough of you that we can maintain a discussion on the subject as each of us (Including Me) learns more about producing Digital Imagry.

There are Two Groups of Images: 1Manipulated  2Created.

Manipulated is where a photo or other image is imported into a program, and the diff Filters are applied to produce an altered finished product. This is what you see the most.

Created is starting in a traditional approach, you create imagry from scratch- just like doing a painting on a canvas, for instance.

I am currently using the "Painterly" approach to produce artwork. It is very satisfying. Among the programs I use are: ARTRAGE (My favorite right now). Corel Draw, Adobe CS, AutoDesk SketchBook, Gimp, DogWaffle, Twisted Brush, Carrera (which came with a 4 Pound Manual!) and a few others.

I use a Wacom Pro Tablet (Active Image area 14X18) with a pressure sensative & programmable Stylus (Appx $800, as i recall). I started out using a Very Functional little 9X12 Hanvon Tablet I picked up at My local Computer Outlet. I still use this one with my lap-top. It has a very good pressure sensitive pen that came with it (Less than $100 for the Pkg)

To see a few images I have created lately- look on my Member Page

jaydub wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 5:01 PM

Why soytenly..i just found dis thang bro!

I just use a mouse..with four main programs. Twistedbrush, dogwaffle,art rage, and adobe photoshop. I have at times used an image to get the juices flowing, but mainly it has been from scratch (blank) screen with not  a pixel to be seen. The process is really exciting to be a part of.

jaydub wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 5:09 PM

Here's a landscape....the possibilities are enormous. I do believe that the cold shoulders towards digital art are getting warmer and loosey gooseier.

L Skylar Brown wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 6:45 PM

Why am I not surprised you would be the first to respond? Maybe because the two of us are "virtually" the digital community! I've seen a few other pieces flash by, so this is why I chose this time to do this. There is a Vibrant Digital Community over at WetCanvas.com - that is theArtist mag Site. Check it out.

Ireally like this piece you just posted, it seems you are venturing into new territory lately.

I have to ask, WHERE do those names come from?!

jaydub wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 8:56 PM

"ARCHANGEL ARCH"

WEll......i was a guide at wetconcrete for about a year and a half, and bumped heads with some anti-art artists. Then got a second strike for telling another guide my troo feelings, then got my third and final strike. Which earned me permanent banishment, because i told the owners F&W, even though they owned wetconcrete they had no real right to restrict free speech.

I started out in coop's digital forum about five years ago but they told me to go to abstract and contemporary forum. I did and had a lot of fun growing as an artist. Also had a lot of fights with those who felt digital was not art or at least not real art. Scott B. was running it at that time and he let things develope as they did. Quite a eclectic group of artists then, they all left when the mods started exerting bad group dynamics.

I had started a thread that eventually became a sticky for four years, it was the 'Quicky Digi Abstract thread. I was doing four or five posts a day with digital something in them. I then started one thread because i did not want to forum flood.Other peeps who were in ab/cont. began posting their digital stuff too, and so digital became politically correct.lol....

jaydub wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 9:13 PM

 I just have knack for abstract titles, i forgot what i was called in a i.q. test thang.. i am gooder at visual language and their different forms.

L Skylar Brown wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 9:14 PM

Is wet concrete a place or a site? The name is so close to WetCanvas, you may have misread my comment about WetCanvas. I wanted you to check out their Digital Forum & Gallery, if you hadn't yet.

jaydub wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 9:41 PM

I was being saracastic, i call wetcanvas , wetconcrete now.... i don't know if cooper is still the head priest at the digi forum. All they did back then was emulate the digi-portrait masters, who used that one extremely costly painter program. I was just trying to get a hang of my proggies that were 35 bucks if that or for free..screw trying to do photorealistic portraits, or using computer generated landscape or trampy looking girls,. So i started out in avante garde city...abstract contemporary, being treated like a transient but god the original creativity of the much fool's, mountainsong's,ludekings  and amy's made it all tolerable.

L Skylar Brown wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 9:58 PM

Sorry for being dense. They're still a little tight-assed. I posted something in the wrong thread when I started, and you would've thought I was trying to saboutage the thing! There does seem to be an openness towards Digital applications, tho - You probably opened that door. Tragically, there is a real gap between the technology and the acceptance of same. I am having an on-going dialogue with an English Guy who paints extremely well in the grand tradition of Oil & Canvas. I post the lastest thing I have done in that Site's Gallery, and alway get a Big Stir out of him. Since I have been doing so many Traditional images, I've really confused him. (He Teaches, and is on the Museum board - all that, and he's a docent on the site.)

jaydub wrote

on 18 Sep 2009 10:55 PM

Us guys are all a little dense at our age, Yes there is the stepford wifeish ambiance throughout the entire site,unfortunately. That is not my problem, it is the lying that goes on between posters in ab/cont.. You see someone posting mud as abstract and the regulars say oh this is great and  wonderful composition. How can someone grow if there is little innovativeness along with quality? The ones who are great tend to leave after a short while. I don't have aproblem with being encouraging, but if someone is still painting crappy looking mud paintings after a year or so...but then it is to the advantage of F&W to get these people continuosly buying their "how to" books and videos. I think most people who have good advisors/friends, and examples of great art being made to inspire them will develope their own style just by having  a strong connection between art makers. I met my wife, maria varga from lake balaton, Hungary. She is an excellent traditionalist artist in oils,watercolors, and encaustics. she is teaching me slowly adobe photoshop..i am so dense! That gap you mentioned is located between sheepish folks ears. Heaven forbid you have crappy flipping day, and you want to express it, heaven forbid you post something not uplifting but dreary tim burton style vision.. Tommy KIncaide rules! Don't wock the boat, just sit tight in your spot and dont draw outside the lines.

jaydub wrote

on 19 Sep 2009 12:25 PM

Here's one just playing around while watching the badgers beat up on wofford college.

L Skylar Brown wrote

on 19 Sep 2009 5:36 PM

This is one of your best - Or maybe it's just because there are representational fragment! As with this site, there is an almost tyrranical approach against honest discussion. I, as you know, have been burned for saying what I See as something that could be improved upon. I'm not careful enuf! Don't step on anyone's toes! There is an on-going discussion right now about how to address "Commenting" all together. The way I see it, is if you don't want people to comment on your work, Don't show it. Maybe that's a bit harsh - There is room for Constructive Criticism, Perhaps AmArt should Develope a Gallery Free from the ability to comment - And Everybody can just post  - Now wouldn't that be nice. Everybody gets a Trophy & Gols Star.

OK, Off message, but there it is-

jaydub wrote

on 19 Sep 2009 6:28 PM

Skylar,,,you are preaching to the choir! I nod my head in complete agreement....yes there are forums for no -holds barred critquing...there is a need for that but jees everywhere else just be nicey and get along so that the mods can have it easy. If i or anyone post something here, and someone whether they have 340 or 34 posts feels the need to communicate a viewpoint in regards to the thread, and sincere in their hope to help the thread starter with their art work. Why not? I understand the agrgavations of about troll like behaviour, and the long winded ones. However, when the makers of mud or obvious underpaintings, get rousing hip hooorahs from the regulars, that is far more damaging.. There was a very gifted lady who gave her "unsoilicited advise, to the wrong person, and she was given a strongly worded strike notification. It is not productive in fostering great art now and future.

jaydub wrote

on 19 Sep 2009 8:42 PM

  This whole thing, about virtual...i have been selling"Virtual" prints for some pretty nice profit..nothing virtual about dat!