Reading Blog #3

ARTICLE: Asare, S., Walden, P., Aniagyei, E., & Emmanuel, M. (2023). A comparative study of traditional art techniques versus digital art techniques in the context of college visual art education. American Journal of Arts, Social and Humanity Studies, 3(1), 21-34.

This is a study that qualitatively evaluated the pros and cons of both digital art and traditional art in the context of art education. I focused my reading on the arguments and criticisms for digital art, comparing them to my own experiences in this digital art class. I highlight two points in the paper my personal experiences can relate to: 

“Traditional mediums often require a more methodical approach, fostering critical thinking and patience…digital art encourages rapid ideation and quick modifications, enhancing students' ability to explore multiple artistic concepts.”

This semester I took a digital art class in conjunction with a figure drawing class. Being able to compare the two temporarily, what digital art lacked for me was this fostering of patience. Working with digital art too much, I find my traditional art becomes rushed. I found when transitioning from my digital art class to my traditional drawing class, my hand wanted to make marks on the page faster than when I was at home and did not experience this transition. I am not a patient person unfortunately, which is why digital art is so tempting. But, to be a good artist in either medium, patience ensures a satisfactory final result. The fostering of impatience – or perhaps the lack-of fostering for patience – is how digital art acts as a weakness for me. As for the strength of digital mediums: 

“Students exploring digital art were more willing to experiment and take risks in their work.”

I had difficulty this semester coming up with ideas for all three projects in-part because of how far removed they were from my usual art practice. I am a 2-D illustrator primarily, and having to adapt to the thinking necessary for 3-D projects was a challenge. However, coming out the other side I am a better artist for it. My digital art classes are where I experiment the most, fine-tuning my vision and desired products to be. Learning new software, in my experience, gives way to more creative freedom than learning new traditional techniques, as the possibilities of the software are not limited by a history of “fine” art. 

Here are two examples of in-class work from my two respective classes.