Campfire - Digital Artwork

[Glenn]

Here's some artwork I thought I'd share with ya.
 
Digital Art - done with mouse and paint program.
 
It's called "Campfire"
 
I've done a number of 'digital' paintings over the past few years as a way to relax and unwind. 
 
I used to paint, using oils and paint brushes or pallette knife ... but digital art doesn't create fumes and there's no drying time..lol. 
 
I do mostly scenes, - landscapes.
 
 

[HarmonicEarth]

That's pretty cool, Glenn. It would drive me batty, though. I might like it if I had a mouse that you hold like a brush or pen. I can never get the mouse to move that smoothly (the times I've tried to "fix" photos in a paint program.) I guess I'm too stuck with all of the linear drafting that I do for work..LOL

[Joom]

Very nice work, Glenn.  I like the vignette effect, and the work on the fire and sparks (and lighting in general) is great.  Love to see that in an 8x10 landscape...

[Joom]

That's pretty cool, Glenn. It would drive me batty, though. I might like it if I had a mouse that you hold like a brush or pen. I can never get the mouse to move that smoothly (the times I've tried to "fix" photos in a paint program.) I guess I'm too stuck with all of the linear drafting that I do for work..LOL

Tablets, HE.  I have two, a smaller one and a larger one.  Wacom is the standard, but there are some really good less expensive alternatives out there (like this one:  http://www.amazon.com/DigiPro-WP5540-Tablet-Stylus-Black/dp/B000GLQZJI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343772543&sr=1-1&keywords=usb+tablet).  Both of mine have both a pen and a mouse...

[Glenn]

Hi guys,
yeah, I also have a 'tablet' with a pen that I can use... and I do find the pen works much more accurately for certain elements... like when doing faces or straight lines. 
 
but I use the mouse a lot.... I've gotten accustomed to small movements and clicks now, .. I can do trees and clouds and that type of thing with just a mouse. .. it's what I learned on.
 
Once I got the tablet and pen, I was amazed at what can be done.
  
 

[Glenn]

Having looked at the posted image of the campfire, I realize it's alot brighter than I recall - the overall pic seems much lighter than when I created it.
 
After mentioning this to the other half, - she said, this artwork was done while I was using a CRT monitor, which made everything on the screen appear a bit darker than it was! 
 
So I went back and checked some old art files, and sure enough, they are all much lighter than I actually made them, now that I'm viewing them on a new puter monitor. 
 
Kinda reminds me of what happens when you mix a tune on one set of speakers, adding EQ according to what you hear, then play the mix back on another system that's more 'accurate' reproduction, and then have to re-EQ to regain balance.
 
geeeeeez!       
 
here's the original, and here's one I just adjusted brightness and contrast, in Irfanview to make it appear about as dark as I recall when I made the original. Seeing them side by side you'll see what I mean.
 
 
 

[Glenn]

I just had this topic thread (campfire - digital art) moved over to this new "Visual Arts" category.
 
Thanks, Admin - for making the new category, and thanks to Enchantress for suggesting it.
 
 
 
I do think I like the darker version better... as it shows more contrast.
 
 

[Enchantress]

Thank you for considering the idea..


(only a few people have seen my painting..I'm a tad nervous.. (pretty recluse )


The digital campfire is very good Glenn..will you go back to canvas one day?

[Glenn]

The digital campfire is very good Glenn..will you go back to canvas one day?

Thank you Enchantress, for the compliment. 
 
I may get back into oils and canvas one day, - while the "digital" media has it's merits - it's nothing like the feel of brush to paint and to canvas.. the actual 'dipping' into different colours on the pallet, and then applying it to the canvas just isn't there, otherwise.  But with digital, there's no 'clean up' lol  .
 
I'm glad there were no computers back in the days of the "Old Masters", ... how much art we might have lost due to hard drive's crashing. 
 
Looking forward to seeing more artwork from our creative bunch here!  ... and don't be nervous about showing your paintings, it's only us here... lol.