Computer Drawing

Many people make the mistake of trying to draw on the computer with a mouse on a simple program like paint, which can prove both awkward, and inaccurate. In fact, drawing on the computer can be just as simple and easy as drawing on paper is. All one needs is the proper tools.

While not inherently necessary (as there are many brilliant artists who operate with only a mouse and a simple program), a drawing instrument and a drawing program are extremely useful for computer drawing. They offer functions that greatly aid one's creative technique.

The most commonly drawing instrument is a tablet. This consists of a large pressure sensitive pad, and an accompanying pen. Drawing on a tablet stimulates drawing on paper (the tablet board being the paper and the tablet pen being the drawing utensil). The tablet is pressure sensitive, so it is possible to make thicker darker lines with more pressure, and thinner lighter lines with less pressure. This allows for a variety of different lines (as opposed to the constant pressure of the mouse), which make your drawing come to life. Drawing with a pen, rather than a mouse, also prevents hand cramps and increases line quality and control.

A tablet may or may not be needed for those who just like to move around shapes to make abstract graphics. However, certain programs are almost necessary for any kind of graphic design. An advanced program that supports computer art is also extremely useful. Programs like Photoshop and Open Canvas are designed especially for the creation of computer graphics. These programs support layers, one of the most important aspects of digital design. With layers, different elements of the graphic can be separated and individually worked on without disturbing the other parts. It is impossible to emphasize how critical layers are to making quality computer art.

Another extremely useful tool these programs offer is the the lasso tool, which allows the user to work in a specifically designated area. In simpler programs, if one wants to work in a specific area, then he or she would just have to hope that they would not accidentally touch something that they did not want to change. However, with the lasso tool, the brushes are triggered only to go in the selected area, providing a digital stencil around the work area. This significantly reduces the amount of artistic casualties, and increases accuracy and precision of lines.

Furthermore, these programs have many filters and enhancers that make even the dullest image look dynamic and interesting. Unwanted sharp edges can be soften by the blur tool, while unfocused edges can be brought out by the sharpen function. Images can even be distorted artistically with a multitude of filters. These stimulate effects such as glow, glass, ocean ripple, twirl, wave, pixelate, emboss, watercolor, fresco, and lens flare, just to name a few.

When it comes to money, these tools are fairly pricey. However, a beginner can sacrifice quality for economic thriftiness, and still get a functional tablet and program set that will help them learn the basics for computer graphics and design.

Though digital graphics and design may be enhanced by the presence of special program and tools, it is important to remember that these tools will not make an artist out of someone who cannot draw. The special functions may help slightly, but the basic skills, which can be practiced both on paper and on the computer) must be acquired before one can achieve graphical greatness.