To some artists digital painting and drawing is another medium to use when producing artwork that inspires them. To create digital art the artist uses computer software especially designed to replicate artwork media such as watercolour and pastel papers and canvases. The software also replicates the paints. Watercolour, pastel, acrylics, oils, charcoal and pencil and a whole multitude of paint brushes, palette knives, marker pens and pencils.
The digital artist will reproduce their artwork on a computer screen either by using a touch sensitive screen or a device called a graphics tablet which lays flat in front of the computer screen. The artist then paints or draws on the flat tablet surface using an electronic pen which replicates the paint brush or pencil selected.
Many artists see this method of painting and drawing as the way forward when selling their artwork online. When the artwork is finished it is saved as a special file which is then used to print out the work to just about any size. The painting or drawing can be printed on to paper or canvas the process is called a Giclee print. This method of printing is superb for fine art as it gives a very high and accurate finish to the print. There are many companies on the internet that provide this printing service with many of them also providing a mounting and framing service as well.
As an artist I offer another way to purchase my paintings and drawings online. Instead of having the finished artwork printed and then sent to the purchaser I sell my work online as a printable file.
This how it works. The art collector visits my website and sees a work they would like to purchase. The purchaser adds the work to the basket and then pays via PayPal. Once I have received the order and payment I send the customer an email with an attachment of a high resolution file in a special format for printing. The customer can then print the artwork at home or send the high resolution file to one of the online Giclee printing service companies where they can choose the size of the print they wand and whether they want it printed on art paper or canvas and can, on most occasions, have the print mounted and framed. I might add that A4 and A3 sizes of art paper and canvas can also be purchased online for home printing.
In addition to sending the artwork as an attached file to the customer I also send as an attachment a certificate of authenticity containing details about the artwork, the limited edition number and my signature.
So please have a look at my artwork. You never know there may be something you think would look good on your wall!
Greg Watkiss
