Digital Art - Week One

Referred to in the 1970's as 'Computer Art' then 'Multimedia Art' digital art now falls under the umbrella of 'New Media Art'.

Early computer art was nothing more than generated shapes on a screen.

The foundations of the digital medium had been laid long ago with the invention of the first computer.

Poster for the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition which debuted in 1968, by Jasia Reichardt.

But it wasn't until the 1990's and the emergence of the internet that the style really flourished. The internet made it possible to gain and share information and allow people with similar interests to work together.

The computer art of this time were 3D generated CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) that were more than a little bizarre.

As technology became more readily available to the man on the street, the art became more sophisticated as the tools the artist him/herself used.

Today we have some of the most beautiful art and vey talented digital masters. The work they produce is nothing more than perfect and the images that can be created is only limited by the imagination. The tools and software can imitate almost any medium but it is still ultimately up to the artist what they then create.

The Blue Lady - Richard Davies.

Richard Davies is a freelance illustrator and graphics designer and has been for over ten years. He works under an alias 'Turksworks'.

He has a very unique style, mixing still life with his very vivid imaginary aura. He has a good mastery of light and shade, making his work seem very real while at the same time, wistful and dream like.

Digital art might have made some art creation easier, for example, there is no danger of spilling a pot of ink all over the page and ruining the work. All the supplies you require lie within the computer software and digital art can be shared with potential customers/employers in an instant.

But it also presents its own limitations and drawbacks. A drawing tablet won't create a thing without power or working hardware. A computer crash after several hours of work can leave a digital artist on the brink of suicide and a discarded mug of coffee could damage some very expensive equipment.