I used to think digital art was all about the newest gear

Last week, I saw a stream from an artist in Chicago who was drawing on a tablet from 2018. Her work was amazing, full of life and color. For the last month, I've been stuck because I thought my old screen needed an upgrade. I even saved up $400 for a new one. But watching her, I realized she was just really good with the basic brushes in her program. She said, 'The tool doesn't make the artist, practice does.' That hit me. Three years ago, I started with this same tablet and was so happy just to draw. I got lost in always wanting the next best thing. Now I'm back to just drawing every day on my old gear, and I'm having more fun. What's the oldest piece of equipment you still use to make art you're proud of?

2 comments

2 Comments

martin.vera7d ago

That part about getting lost wanting the next best thing is so real. My buddy Mike, he paints. He was saving for this fancy airbrush setup for months, talking about it nonstop. Then last fall, he dug out his grandpa's old set of bristle brushes, the handles were all cracked. He used those and some cheap craft paint to do this portrait of his dog. It's honestly the best thing he's ever made, all texture and feeling. He said the janky brushes made him slow down and really look. Now that airbrush money is just sitting in his account.

skyler_anderson657d ago

My cousin's best photo was taken on a busted old film camera.