Digital V traditional, an experiment. by Bryan Hammond

What an interesting exercise, Bryan. I must admit my preference is for the acrylic version as opposed to the digital! However, having said that I do like both versions!!

Thank you David. I think holding a finished painting and seeing and feeling the textures is much better than a printed version of a digital painting, no matter how good the software is. It is great to try things digitally first though, so another weapon for the armoury.

Great to see them together Bryan. Digital has changed so more since I tried it, Had you not told us I'd have been hard pressed to spot the top one as digital. Both are excellent.

Thank you Lewis, It was an interesting exercise, especially as I enjoyed the digital and the traditional process. It's amazing how the technology has advanced. Unfortunately I am of an age that loves getting covered in paint. My granddaughter who is studying design and architecture at university cannot understand why I would want to use real paint and not a computer to create art. I think my traditional background has helped my digital work as I tend to use exactly the same process in creating digital or traditional works.

Agree with both Lewis and David ... very interesting experiment

Thanks Heather.

Oooo….that’s a tricky one Bryan. I like the digital version for the thick and textural application of the paint, and also the lack of detail. However, the painted version has a life the digital one doesn’t have….the dancing flowers and the lively clouds. I like both!

Thanks Fiona, if I'm truthful I prefer the digital one as well, I think I overworked the Acrylic as is usual for me, less is usually more in art.

What a fascinating idea Bryan. I like the uniformity of the digital version: not sure that that’s the right word to describe it but hopefully you know what I mean! Then I like the feel of freedom in the acrylic one. I have never tried digital but can see it certainly has some advantages in terms of convenience, speed and ongoing cost once you are set up, also no mess to clean up after!

Hi Tessa, thank you for commenting. Yes the lack of mess and clean up is a definite draw. There is a learning curve to digital though, either on the Ipad or PC which puts a lot of people off using it. I have always been interested in computers and technology so it was a fairly easy transition to digital artwork.

The digital version is good the acrylic one takes the show it’s excellent. I don’t do digital myself but do admire some of the artwork produced but a good real painting ( awaiting the comments about that) always win with me .

How interesting, Bryan. It is so difficult to say which one is my favourite as they both have their own merits. Both, to me, are really good artistic pieces.

Thanks Paul, yes, I do agree. I love to look at traditionally produced paintings in the flesh, the brush marks are like the fingerprints of the artist for me, the same as when I see a thumb print in a piece of pottery. Like you I have seen some wonderful digital artwork and it does have its advantages in some areas. The drawback for me is that it can only be viewed on a screen or printed and prints don't do it for me somehow.

Thanks Spencer, much appreciated.

I admire both of these fine paintings. I also have an open mind about Digital work. Art is art.

Thank you Chris, I agree with the art is art statement, certainly I don't find digital painting an easy option or a cheat. It's just that I like to have the physical painting to keep when I have finished rather than a print and I think that is the only thing that prevents me taking up digital art full time. It would be nice if I could store a thousand traditionally produced paintings in a file on the PC though, instead of, the studio, the garage, the loft and under the bed lol.

Thank you Pastor.

Great exercise Bryan. I would not have been able to tell the top one was digital but I much prefer the acrylic as it is more vibrant. Lucky for me as I don’t like working on a screen. It hurts the eyes too much!

Thank you Martin, much appreciated.