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Digital art is like any other art. It just is created using
different tools than the more traditional arts.
Art is not about the tools used to create
it. It is about the vision, message, or emotion of the artist.
Photography is a medium through which artist's may create art. Likewise, a
computer is just a medium or tool through which an artist can express
his/her vision of line, form, color, composition and rhythm.
An
artist
chooses the medium (oils, watercolors, or pixels) she wants to use. When
the digital artist, has mastery over the tools and technologies [software,
equipment, etc.], she can go beyond "taking a digital picture" or
"applying an effect" and create art - an individual expression of her
vision.
Digital Art falls into three basic
categories: digital painting,
digital photography & darkroom, and fractals. There are several subcategories
and, of course, the artist can combine any and all to create their own unique
vision.
Below are descriptions from the Digital Fine
Arts Society of New Mexico which accurately describes the various types of
Digital Fine Art. Digital Photography, Photopainting, and
Integrated Digital Art which
characterize my work are, of course, discussed first.
Digital Photography
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The artist uses a digital or conventional
camera. The photographs are digitized and translated to the computer
environment where the artist uses image editing and special effects software
to perform darkroom type manipulations.
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Photopainting
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This combines the disciplines of photography and painting. The artist uses
image editing and paint software to go beyond dark room techniques to add
further expression to the image.
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Digital Collage
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This is a technique of combining many
images from varying sources into one image. This is most commonly achieved
by the use of layering techniques in image editing and paint software. The
artist may also use images from x-rays or radar to produce images that the
eye does not normally see, which expands the realm of human perception. |
Integrated
Digital Art
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This is the "mixed media" of the digital art world. Artists combine any
number of the techniques to achieve unique results. The digital environment
is much less restricted than conventional mediums in this type of
integration and manipulation.
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Digital Painting
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2D: The artist creates 2D images
totally in the computer virtual environment with the use of painting tools
that emulate natural media styles. Sometimes referred to as "Natural
Media".
3D: The artist uses 3D modeling and
rendering software to essentially sculpt in virtual space. This method also
makes use of all of the other methods.
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Vector Drawing
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The artist uses vector drawing software and
creates the image totally in the virtual environment. This makes use of
shapes which are outlined and can be filled with various colors and
patterns. This tends to produce a harder edged or graphic look.
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Algorithmic/Fractals
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This is art produced exclusively by
mathematical manipulations. This is the so-called "computer generated" art.
The art here lies in the invention of the mathematical formulas themselves
and the way the programs are written to take advantage of the display
capabilities of the hardware. The art also lies in the creative intentions
and subsequent selections of the artist/mathematician.
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References:
Museum of Computer Art
Digital Fine
Arts Society of New Mexico |