Doing the course digitally?
https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtFundamentals/comments/rpd9gf/doing_the_course_digitally/
2021-12-27 03:15
Ssnnooz
I just finished the first drawabox lesson, all on an ipad and apple pencil. Im primarily a digital artist so it seemed more beneficial to do it digitally.
I know it isn't recommended, but is it really gonna affect the lessons that much? i've gotten some hate for not doing it traditionally
Uncomfortable
2021-12-27 03:38
I too am strictly a digital artist - and despite this, I'm the one behind the recommendation.
Drawabox is not a course that tries to teach the use of any particular tools - so, regardless of whether one plans on working primarily with ink, or digital media, it doesn't change how this course is best used. We recommend the use of ink and paper because it aligns and reinforces the concepts we teach, and it makes them considerably more effective.
Of course, it is your choice at the end of the day, and you certainly don't deserve any hate for that choice. People get overzealous, and I apologize for that.
Brettinabox
2021-12-27 04:40
The reason for doing it traditionally is explained in the material. You run the risk of not developing the mindset needed to make a confident, fluid mark when you have an undo button or are easily able to erase your mistakes.
PiersPlays
2021-12-27 15:02
You can just not do those things though. I find there's a lot of assumptions about the psychology of the student that applies to most people which is assumed (or at least communicated in a way which suggests this) to apply to all people. (I'm not working digitally at all here) From my perspective something I put on paper and something I make digitally with the rule that I cannot edit it feel equally significant and indelible.
Ssnnooz
2021-12-29 01:11
I agree for sure! I've been making sure not to undo while doing the exercises (unless it's super necessary)
OutrageousOwls
2022-01-01 18:58
DaB aside, I think a huge challenge of learning how to draw and doing it digitally is your ability to master the program. It can work against you when youre focusing on how to create different effects, or messing with brushes and layers because its distracting.
Its also just very satisfying doing it irl. :)
Ssnnooz
2022-01-03 03:31
I understand that completely, it's something i see in digital art a lot.
I stick to my basic brushes either way, effects aren't my thing
saumanahaii
2021-12-27 05:42
I'm doing it digitally too since I didn't find his arguments very compelling. For me doing it digitally has been the thing that's let me keep up with it this time and I don't really feel its weakened me picking up the material. It's probably controversial but you do you. No one needs to know you disagreed with them on this so long as you're not submitting homework. You also get the added benefit of scripting which you can use to write exercise generators, though that's probably not applicable to everyone. At the end of the day we're all just trying to pick up the skill. Moreover, this isn't meant to be an optimization problem. Whatever gets you through the material, whatever helps you enjoy the exercises and challenges, that's what's going to be best for you.
NomuraArt123
2021-12-27 14:05
I think it's has to do with making confident marks while yes this is possible on a IPad some times we just erase stuff in a will BUT as the people before me already commented: this is a recommendation not a rule just take notice to not erase your marks and be confident and thoughtful about them that it's ok. Even I that is at lesson 4 (stop to study human anatomy) plan to redo the lessons I digital to take pratice
cerenatee
2021-12-28 01:16
Doing anything is better than doing nothing so no matter what you do you'll be better than the person not doing anything. If using paper means you're not going to do anything, then use a tablet. Easy peast0y.
That being said, I love the "I don't know what I'm doing but I know more than the person who created the course so I'm going to do it my way" mentally in some of these comments. Everyone is such a special little butterfly.
ArtfullyFelicity
2021-12-28 12:46
It's people giving their uninformed opinon as advice that irks me. It costs them nothing to say nothing and move on, but are they actually projecting and justifying their own choices to half ass the process?
crim-sama
2021-12-28 03:16
If you do it digitally you should strongly consider the intent of recommending traditional.
WitherCode
2021-12-28 09:46
I was thinking about doing it digitally too (I started learning drawing and digital art by myself). But after doing a few lessons and the explanation provided in the course I stick with pen and paper. Later on I'm going to do some lessons digitally to improve my skills with tablet(right now I feel uncomfortable using it)
[deleted]
2021-12-29 00:52
I sometimes do warm ups and personal drawing on tablet, but lessons I strictly do as instructed.
Seamoose_Art
2021-12-27 05:25
I'm sure you've answered this a hundred thousand times, but if I unbind ctrl-z and try to be as patient as possible, will the lessons still be worth doing digitally? I really don't like going back to paper due to how sore it makes me, and I'm afraid pushing myself to improve at all costs will drive me away from art for good.
[deleted]
2021-12-27 05:34
Couple tips for you if paper makes you sore:
-Use smoother paper (DAB specifically recommended using cheapo printer paper)
-Wear an 'artist's glove'- should help your hand glide across the surface and also reduces smudging.
-Take regular breaks to go stretch, do something else etc. (also bear in mind the 50/50 rule between recreational drawing and educational drawing.)
The undo thing isn't really the issue- you shouldn't be erasing or undoing anyway, and you're only cheating yourself if you go back and adjust your work to make yourself feel better about your ability.
I did the exercises on both traditional and digital(screen tablet), and I found that whilst tablet is muuuch more convenient, there's also a slight advantage for your ghosted lines in that you can see the 'pen cursor' as you ghost the pen across the screen, in a way that doesn't quite happen in traditional media.
There's also the fact that rotating a sheet of paper is often much more intuitive than rotating a tablet, particularly if you have your tablet on a stand or tilted.
Finally, there's the size factor- I believe that the DAB exercises require you to make different sized marks, in order to express shoulder/elbow/wrist pivoting strokes. When using a tablet, it may be tempting to simply pinch/zoom and create less authentic marks that way. (which is fine for getting good results, but not so much in terms of acquiring general technical skill)- there's also the fact that graphic tablets can range in size from a 7 or 9 inch smartphone-ish 'phablet' to 20+ inch desktop monstrosities, as well as the many sizes in between.
A4 sheets of paper are going to be the same no matter where you look.
Uncomfortable
2021-12-27 15:51
You can read the reasoning behind the ink recommendation more in-depth in this article. It explains why the recommendation goes beyond just the ability to undo.