About the +ART Column
The +ART column brings you articles that make art feel closer to home. We introduce recommended artists for each season, offer clear explanations for those new to art, and share the appeal of art from many angles. Our aim is to help you find little hints for letting art settle naturally into everyday life. We hope you'll enjoy the world of art with ease.
Contents
- Introduction
- What is digital art?
- The appeal that only digital can offer
- The misconception that "it can just be copied"
- Digital art is gaining attention worldwide
- Enjoy it your own way
- Conclusion
Introduction
When you hear the word "art," what image comes to mind? A studio that smells of paint, a heavy canvas, the "handcrafted" world of oil and watercolor painting. But today, many beautiful works are also being born inside tablets and computers!
What is digital art?
Digital art refers to artworks created using digital devices such as computers and tablets. Instead of traditional brushes and canvas, they are drawn with a pen tablet and dedicated software. These days it is enjoyed under various names, such as "illustration," "digital painting," and "graphic art." From professional illustrators to those who enjoy it as a hobby, many people are creating in the world of digital art.
The appeal that only digital can offer
The expressive power of color and light
The greatest appeal of digital works is their high degree of expressive freedom. The expression of color and light in particular can be called a hallmark unique to digital.
The colors rendered in RGB, the "three primary colors of light," possess a distinctive brilliance that can only be produced on screen. This is a system that mixes red, green, and blue light to express a wide range of colors, and it is fundamentally different from the paints used on paper (the color system known as CMYK).
Because of this difference, digital art is especially good at rendering bright colors and a glowing, luminous quality! It can express the reds and oranges of a sunset sky, the magical light of a fantasy world, and other effects that feel as if light is shining out from the screen.
Intricate detail down to the finest points
One convenient thing about digital tools is that you can zoom in as much as you like and render even the tiniest details. Astonishingly fine expression is possible—every individual strand of hair, the small reflections within the eyes, and more.
And by using the layer function (a feature that lets you draw in stacked layers), you can draw while referring to an underdrawing, or draw the background and figures separately. Mistakes can be easily erased or undone, which is another point that makes it easy to give it a try.
A wealth of expressive techniques
In digital art, a variety of brush tools are available. The texture of oil paint, the bleeding of watercolor, the feel of colored pencil—a single piece of software can reproduce many different art materials.
And by using filter effects (effects like photo editing), you can transform the mood in an instant or add special effects. By combining these techniques, you can take on forms of expression that were difficult with traditional materials.
See the reference site here ▶ ibisPaint Drawing Lessons
The misconception that "it can just be copied"
A common question about digital works is, "Since it can be copied so easily, doesn't its value go down?" It's true that, by their nature as data, duplication is possible. But the value of a work resides in "who" created it and "how."
The print quality changes the finished result
When actually displaying a digital work, it is usually output as a high-quality print. The impression changes completely depending on the type of paper used (glossy, matte, washi-style, etc.) and the printing method (inkjet, dye-sublimation, etc.).
Carefully chosen to draw out the colors and texture the artist intended to the fullest, these elements give rise to a value unique to that particular work!
The concept of editions
Many digital artists adopt the concept of editions. This is a method of deciding in advance how many prints will be made of a single work. For example, if it is set as "limited to 10," it becomes a rare work of which only 10 exist in the world. By numbering each one (1/10, 2/10…), its value to collectors is also preserved.
Recently, a method of proving ownership of digital works using the technology of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) has also spread. This is like a digital certificate that uses blockchain technology, making it clear "who owns the original"!
See the reference article here ▶ What's the deal with NFT art? The relationship between digital art and contemporary art
Digital art is gaining attention worldwide
Beeple, "EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS"
Beeple is the most talked-about digital artist in the world. "Everydays: The First 5000 Days," completed in 2021, was sold at auction as an NFT for about 69.3 million dollars (roughly 7.5 billion yen), marking a historic turning point for digital art and NFTs.
This work compiles into a single collage the digital artworks Beeple created for 5,000 consecutive days, from May 1, 2007, to January 7, 2021. Arranged chronologically from upper left to lower right, it lets you trace the artist's technical evolution and his reactions to the social and political events of each moment!
MAD DOG JONES, "REPLICATOR"
MAD DOG JONES is a digital artist from Canada. His work is characterized by an influence from Japanese animation and boasts extremely precise expression. It was the first digital art ever offered at Phillips, an auction house with a history of more than 200 years!
Mitsuhiko Kamada, Ezo Fuji Niseko, Hokkaido
Mitsuhiko Kamada is a Japanese photographer. Much of his work beautifully captures Japan's natural landscapes—especially Mount Fuji and its surroundings—and he is known for fantastical landscape photographs that combine them with sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies. Highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad, his works went on sale at auction on OpenSea as NFT works in April 2022.
Enjoy it your own way
The wonderful thing about digital works is that you can enjoy them "in a way that's all your own."
The impression changes with size and display
Even the same work gives a completely different impression depending on whether you print it small to place on a desk or enlarge it to hang on a wall!
- A4 size (21×29.7 cm): Ideal for displaying on a desk or a small space
- A3 size (29.7×42 cm): A size with real presence for the wall of a living room or bedroom
- A2 size (42×59.4 cm): As the centerpiece of a main wall or living room
Choosing a frame
How you choose the frame also greatly influences the impression of a work!
- A simple black or white frame: Sets off any work, for a modern impression
- A wooden frame: Creates a warm atmosphere
- An aluminum or metal frame: For a stylish, contemporary impression
When choosing a frame, it's a good idea to also consider the balance with your room's furniture and wall colors.
See the reference article here ▶ What is framing? Put your favorite art in a frame yourself and enjoy it!
Conclusion
Digital art is relatively more accessible than traditional art, and it offers many chances to encounter the work of young artists. Why not look for a piece that resonates with your heart on social media or specialized online art galleries? Digital works may be an entrance that lets you engage with the world of art more casually. Do take a moment to look closely at a work that catches your eye.
Why not add a touch of art to your space?
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