Traditional vs Digital

Backstory - Coloring led me to drawing. I got tired of coloring the same things. I started where everyone does, stick figures. Then I thought, no I can do better than that. People were difficult so I started with animals. First horses, then cats and dogs, fish... then I started drawing still lifes and landscapes, just whatever I could sit and study I guess. I got good at drawing in a matter of 2 or 3 years. My mom wanted me to take classes so we checked and they were too expensive. It would cost like $75 a month but even paying weekly, my allowance still wouldn't cover it. So instead of taking classes, I would visit the person who taught them and ask for critiques and pointers. She had a small gallery in my town and much of her work resembled that of Georgia O'Keefe's. When I was in high school I was in AP art classes after my freshman year. I was treated like an anomaly in my freshman class because it was a class truly for beginners and that was something I had done before getting to high school. Art was always interesting but I knew there wasn't much opportunity or money in it. It was not my goal to go to college for art, but that's where I wound up when deciding a new major. I did some digital art over the years, but never had a draw pad. I got good at Paintshop (back in the day) and pretty good with Photoshop, but it was all by using a mouse. Skip forward and I got one of the new Ipads for Christmas (thanks @Arc and his family), it was my big gift. I have used it sparingly. I don't know why but I cannot seem to get into digital art. It's convenient and in the long term, probably more cost effective, but there is something to be said about putting your whole body into your work. I used to leave the pottery shop at my college with cramps in my hands, arms, shoulders and back from sitting and throwing on the wheel for hours on end, I used to leave the painting studios sweaty and covered in paint, drawing studios with my hands covered in charcoal and graphite. We are casually looking at houses right now thinking of buying soon. I feel like I must have a basement space or shed for art. Out of all things art, the thing I miss most is having a space for chaos. To not worry about where paint flies or gets on. If I get a pottery wheel like I want, I will definitely need a place that can get dusty.

I bought some more art supplies. I've decided to get back into drawing, watercolors, and now I'm going to be experimenting with alcohol inks. I'm hoping by doing some traditional art analog-style, it will encourage me to learn more on the iPad.

I can totally see why you love traditional. For me digital has like totally changed everything for me and it really comes down to personal preference in the end, everyone's art and the way they do it is different. For me when drawing I really appreciated when I changed to digital being able to just draw and not have to worry about smudges and getting graphite on my hands. I loved being able to pick whatever color I could ever want without having hundreds of markers or colored pencils or paints which can also get pricey and take up space. I also love that I can take it wherever I want easily and pickup where I left off. It's not for everyone but I do hope you at least give it a chance and see if you will like it but maybe its just not for you. Either way I hope you continue making great stuff:)

Icarus sold dis in college