Beauty in the Mix

Floral Art Prints

For a long time I operated on the assumption that I had to strictly be a digital artist. Since that was and still is the trend of this day and age, I felt the overwhelming need to just learn the new and shiny. Things got a little hairy when I started to realise how my strengths lay in the traditional, and how the transition to digital made my art lose its appeal and personality. So many times in art school, I realised how much better my traditional art looked and felt, as compared to my digital works. The spirit of the work did not get translated well in the digital world, and I got tired of hearing my teachers tell me "your sketches look good, but why is the final product...different?" I couldn't answer. Because I knew where my strengths lay, but it required so much more WORK.

As I progress further in my art journey, I'm starting to realise that you don't have to be amazing at EVERY medium. While I see the convenience and benefits of learning digital art skills, I also realised I can't deny my own strengths in traditional mediums. Even if it may take a little more work and preparation, it could pay off big time. Rather than compromise the character of my work, I needed to learn how to combine my traditional and digital skills to create something NEW. A style that I was more comfortable with. And the more I read about other illustrators, the more I realised I wasn't the only one facing such dilemmas. Some artists are just really good in traditional. But they don't allow themselves to get left behind by advancements, because they incorporate the new to make their art work. There is a beauty in the mix, and a skill to the collaboration of old and new. But it's worth it, and may be better to not resist so much, to not be so afraid of more work, but to embrace and realise the true potential of your abilities.

Never short change yourself by assuming that your skills are worthless because they are "not up to date." But instead, learn, adapt, and make the medium work for you. Not the other way round. It can be scary at first, and it does take a lot of experimentation to figure out what works best for you. But it's worth it and could be the key to elevating your work even more. So be bold!

Till next time, take care.

#experimentalillustration #art #illustration #artstyle #digitalart #traditionalart