The very concept of computer-generated art often represents a challenge, partly because it is seen by some as an imitation of the real thing, or as something new that needs time to adjust to, but also because it can result in work that cannot be created with the conventional way of ‘painting’. Although the opposite is also true.

The important word to stress here is ‘with’ a computer, and not ‘by’ one. Like a conventional painter using brushes, or a sculptor using hammers and chisels, artists like myself who use a mouse and a graphics program, are simply adopting their preferred tools in the process of creating their art. A computer does not create my art. I am in complete control of what it does.

The creative process

Starting with a blank screen (my canvas) I load my own photos in layers on Photoshop, literally one on top of the other. Then I  blend, change opacity and erase areas to create multi image compositions. At this stage I am only thinking graphically about how images work together to tell a visual story or to combine associated themes. This could mean being realistic or completely abstract, or mixing the two, as I love to do.

The second stage is digital painting. With a mouse in hand, I can select from a huge range of ‘brushes’, then select from a palette of thousands of colours, and do the same as any painter, just electronically.

Digital brushes are created by scanning a brush stroke of organic paint, or a pencil line, a pastel stick or anything else. They also include textures and graphic effects and they are just images converted to electronic information (pixels) that can be edited.

However, I always have complete control to edit or delete any action I have taken, and very quickly. Forget the idea of this process being mechanical or systematized because the opposite is true. The computer presents a limitless opportunity to explore and exercise my imagination. I can work on different versions of the same artwork without ever losing anything, unless I choose to. And the result can be entirely photographic, entirely painted, or a fascinating combination of the two.

On many occasions potential buyers comment that they really love an artwork but find it is just too small (or too large). Whilst the tradition painter can only suggest producing a copy to a new size, I don’t have that problem. My ‘original’ is a computer file and therefore it can be printed any size (in proportion) they would like, without losing quality and it will be exactly the same. The next potential barrier can be that living in another country makes it unpractical to transport, or expensive to mail. This is not a problem either. The digital file can be emailed and they can arrange the printing in their own country.

Future concerns

My sincere hope is that digitally created art, in any form, will never become the only adopted artistic discipline of the future, and that it will find a comfortable place alongside all other approaches towards creating art – a future where traditional water colours will still be made with paper, paint and water and computers remain as simply tools of the trade.

If you are interested in seeing my work alongside that of my fellow artists, we have a permanent display at the Quinta da Tor winery, above Loulé, and we have portfolios to view on our website artlinkcollective.com which also announces exhibitions and pop-up events.

Words: Bob Tidy