Should You Choose Traditional vs Digital Art? The REAL Differences

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[@Ellary_Rosewood]

I'm an artist who uses and loves both. I personally think there's nothing like using traditional tools and there's also a certain magic with them that digital art misses, but I still love creating digitally as well (I use Procreate). I tend to go back and forth, spending a couple of months focusing on watercolors/pen and ink, and then I'll miss the feeling of working digitally. There are pros and cons to both. But I like the diversity of the art that I have made because of using both! ❤️

[@SaraTepes]

I'm the same way! I feel like I have to get back into the learning curve a little when stepping away from a medium for several weeks. It's nice to be able to create all kinds of artwork though. For fairytale art, watercolors are perfect, but if I want to create stickers, digital feels good!

[@Maggi1108]

You talked about how traditional art is messy but I'd like to add that you also need A LOT of storage space for all your supplies, works in progress and finalized artworks. And thank you for talking about the hassle of having to clean everything. I'd like to add that fetching everything from storage, preparing your workspace, your brushes, water, etc is also taxing. Sometimes, I'm in a mood to create but by the time I take everything out, my motivation is nearly entirely gone. And I don't have the space in my studio to just leave all my art supplies out.

[@SaraTepes]

Yes, this! I have a big studio space but even with a dedicated art room, I don't have enough space to leave my art supplies out. I tried having my easel set up, ready for oil paintings on a whim, but it took up so much space, gathered dust, and bummed me out every time I looked at it. I also live in a house from the 1890's with such little storage space, so I've had to buy so many cabinets to store the supplies in. If you can stick to a small amount of supplies, it's so much easier!

[@sebo641]

As someone who doesn't do digital art, I can say I feel like digital art is not necessarily easy, because it does take a lot of knowledge and skill, but it does have this sense of false perfection. Basically you can undo undo undo till you get exactly what you want, whereas with tradition media most often than not you have to adapt to your mistakes. You can't warp the face for better proportions, or change all the colour range or even turn it into black and white or mirror the actual thing and there's no control + Z. So in that sense trad seems more impressive when a master does it in my opinion.

[@ducksoff7236]

When you see people use templates to add backgrounds or literally just add a fence by "coloring it in". Yeah digital pictures are just that.

[@SaraTepes]

Yeah I think that's a fair point. As both a traditional and digital artist, I try to start with a foundation that won't require me to warp or control z. In the same vein though, you can draw a grid for traditional drawing and copy from a photo, or hold your artwork up in a mirror to see the proportions. I think a good artist doesn't rely on crutches.

[@ducksoff7236]

@@SaraTepes I saw one guy make a whole cityscape into a "brush". That video almost singlehandedly ruined digital pictures for me. I get "pro tools" and having to mass produce pictures for company's. Personally when I consume art its to see what a human being is capable of with their own two hands. I don't care to see what got copy and pasted with a figure thrown on top. That said. Most traditional artists who generally draw in a single layer or not more then a few. That digital art is awesome and never looks generic.

[@themightierpencil]

Both are valid, I just like the imperfections of traditional a little bit more, plus I love physically drawing and painting in a sketchbook and mixing my watercolors.

[@SaraTepes]

I like to go into my digital paintings and add light leaks and scratches to the painting to blur the edges. Digital art can look too clean somethings.

[@ambyes]

I think the reason digital art is less enjoyed by viewers is the lack of seeing your hands. I’ve noticed in my own research that primarily artists who show their hands like you do when drawing traditionally have HUGE followings versus purely digital speed paint artists regardless of talent. It must be the human desire to create. Something about see the pen or pencil in hand for both mediums must tickle something in our minds that watching a speedpaint screen recording video purely doesn’t.

[@SaraTepes]

Yeah I think watching a screen recording of digital painting is a lot more technical. I really like recording my traditional process, but it takes like 3x as long because of the setup!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Sara, I was a traditional Artist and I went back to "corporate" work I had to abandon traditional methods as they had gone to a completely digital workflow. Now I learned how to balance traditional with digital work methods and they can co-exist. Sometimes you can work with fugitive supply's and scan it then print it out with newer archival printing methods! I love going bigger with traditional artworks! I had a $2500 printer but it only printed 17 x 22 inches! I did use roll papers and yet I was limited to the 17 inch wide size. SO if you want control over your art you need to decide where you are going to invest your money. I just set up a 48 x 48 inch watercolor paper sheet! Now when this is finished, I can take a photo and make prints should I choose. BUT the original is always there and unique. I wish you well on your book! How exciting, good for you!

[@SaraTepes]

I love scanning in textures for my digital art. I had a publication class in college that asked me to make a magazine. I created watercolor textures, splatters, coffee soaked crumpled pages, drawings of fairies in multiple media, and then scanned them all in and edited them to create an old, 1800s feeling manuscript! It was so much work but so pretty. I have been wanting to release it-- maybe I should do a digital download? I'm glad I haven't invested in such a beast of printer! I always love hearing your stories.

[@ames_marci]

I like both but traditional is more enjoyable for me, there’s also nothing more exciting as an artist of having a new product to play around with. But to each their own.

[@SaraTepes]

I do love trying out a new medium or supply. I've been obsessing over my alcohol markers again for the first time since high school!

[@ames_marci]

@@SaraTepes yes I love my alcohol markers! 🖤

[@zeliha8113]

You have no idea HOW EXCITED I am for your book!!😭😭

[@SaraTepes]

Ahhhh I think I will cry when I hold it in my hands for the first time! I'm so excited YOU'RE excited!

[@michelleip75]

Congratulations on completing and receiving wonderful endorsements for your first book! Your hard work has paid off, and I appreciate the sheer amount of art tips in there. Seeing you publish a gorgeous book is a significant highlight in your journey, especially after following you for so long 🦋💫 I believe a major pro to digital art is storage-you can store so many pieces in Procreate or Photoshop without having physical paintings/drawings take up space in your studio. I know many Illustration majors who have to figure out where to store their traditional art, while others utilize a balanced combination of digital and traditional!

[@shineefeels]

Drawing at a desk for years was also killing my body. I recommend if you’re doing illustration to get a tablet of some kind. Getting an iPad + CSP has been a game changer for my physical health because I’m not chained to a desk and single sitting position.

[@maboroshiiro]

One of the most frustrating aspects for me with traditional is how hard it is to digitize drawings properly. You need either a good scanner or camera (or both!) which is also an added expense.. and even to take decent photos of it with my camera it feels like I have to take the photo under pure sunlight which is very inconvenient as that only happens during certain hours of the day.. with digital I save and now it's ready to post. While with trad even if I manage to take a good photo I still have to edit it. Basically I'm sad that any rendition I have of my traditional pieces online will never "live up to their full potential" unless I upgrade my equipment :(.

[@SaraTepes]

I agree, it's so frustrating. I do have to put you on to the app Snapseed; I use it for my photo editing and think it creates great edits. I should make an updated video on this topic.

[@bogosbinted5862]

When I finally took seriously an art path for my life I began with digital mediums, but... I feel kind of ashamed that I'm SO drawn into traditional and its art supplies. Like, I have a huge collection and love using them for illustration and my work looks soo much better with them that I feel a bit confused cause the major I'm pursuing is a very technical one, Industrial Design, and sketches or finished rendered work here are mostly digitally made (no problems on 3d modelling tho). I simply love the physical aspect of traditional art, of choosing the colors, blending them, being able to feel the texture and weight of the real things, and to feel the process until you finish and the dopamine hit of having a finished piece of artwork in your hands. And on the other hand, I also find ironically that as much as I love doing illustration and painting the traditional way, I also hate creating real life mock-ups (3d printing has saved my life fr)

[@bogosbinted5862]

Also I find traditional art much more faster to do, like, personally I can take many days coloring digitally, but the same drawing after transfering it to a hot pressed paper I could speed up this process into 4 hours with watercolor or markers. I guess you get better on things you most enjoy

[@emilyhill7622]

you've convinced me to try digital. I thought the only option was and ipad...I don't have that money flow at the moment haha! I found your playlist on tablets. I'm so glad I found this!!!

[@SaraTepes]

Yay! Yes my tablet is $75 and I love it! That plus CSP, it's such a perfect combination🧑‍🍳💋

[@emilyhill7622]

@SaraTepes i looked for your tablet and I don't believe it's available anymore 😭

[@annamollers5853]

I do both, but I like the experience of traditional art more, I think because of the materiality. Like, you notice how the paint behaves, if you change minimal things like how much water you add or how it all smells and feels. It sounds really romantic :D But I think for my brain those haptic things are important. Also I notice, when I draw digitally i am much more focused on the result, whereas when I paint traditionally, I tend to enjoy the process a little bit more...but its such an interesting topic, so thank you for bringing it up!

[@SaraTepes]

Yes, I really swing back and forth between loving the process of traditional, and getting so impatient with the dry times. I have found out that 100% cotton paper is so much better than others for the quick absorption! As you said, when I'm digital painting, I focus on the end result more than the process.

[@Jeonee97]

I love traditional art more than digital art. I'm not either good in digital art I'm trying so much but not having motivation so im only doing traditional❤

[@SaraTepes]

Whatever you enjoy drawing is the best thing to draw!

[@Miahobbes]

Love both! ❤

[@SaraTepes]

They're both so good hahaha art is just so fun

[@Miahobbes]

@@SaraTepes love your pencil sketches so much ❤️✏️✨

[@Dreamer_illus]

I think if you used ipad + apple pencil and record the video same way as your traditional work it would have similar amount of engagement Imo I prefer seeing someone move the pencil to draw instead of screen recordings + Ipad screen is great for recording quality is amazing

[@SaraTepes]

I agree! That's a goal for this year

[@landipan]

Sara, your glasses game is always so GOOD, pls share your eyeglass collection with the rest of us poor sighted girlies who need inspiration, I beg of thee 😂

[@SaraTepes]

I'm -5.00 in both eyes with astigmatism, it's rough out here hahaha. Eyebuydirect! I have multiple colors of Theory and the ones I'm wearing in this video are Daydream. I went to the website to check the names and I just saw they have a line by Tan France. I might have to get a pair 👀

[@landipan]

@@SaraTepes imma check out everything you mentioned! Buying new frames is so scary, it’s so hard to find something perfect! You clearly know the formula since all your glasses look amazing on you!

[@jekalambert9412]

Is this an analysis of traditional vs digital or is it an endless plug for your upcoming book?

[@SaraTepes]

Okay don't buy it!

[@MelHyde]

Great vid

[@Aliceswonderclam]

I’m guessing pencil and paper sketching skill transfer well?

[@SaraTepes]

I'd say so! You can start with digital sketches instead of having to incorporate color immediately

[@zeliha8113]

When will the book come out in Europe, specifically Germany?

[@SaraTepes]

A couple weeks after the release date in February! I will add some dates to my Instagram highlights once I have them.

[@zeliha8113]

Hi Sara, I’ve been wondering if you went to an art school?😅💛

[@SaraTepes]

I have a BFA in Graphic Design from a liberal arts college, with minors in Photography and Studio Arts. I wish I had gone to an art school instead of liberal arts :,)

[@zeliha8113]

@@SaraTepes did you do very different things while studying graphic design since your personal art is so different!🥹 I’m just asking because I’ve been thinking about going to an art school, but I’m not sure if graphic design will be the right choice

[@SaraTepes]

Yes it was mostly vector and publication design. I had the most illustrative designs since most of my peers didn't know how to draw! I think art school is great if you can choose a school that can provide you with networking opportunities and alumni benefits, like helping you find career opportunities! No one told me about that before choosing the school I went to, and I didn't have those benefits myself which suuucks

[@ducksoff7236]

I'll never understand when "cost" comes up the claim is transitional is the bigger barrier. That makes ZERO sense to me. Art supply's cost money? Yeah? So since when was that tablet free? For the price of that 300-400-1800 dollar tablet with its TINY screen. I can buy YEARS worth of art supplies and draw on any size canvass I want. Also traditional 3 bucks here 20 bucks there 12 bucks here. You don't have to buy it all at once and can get started with literally pennies. Or absolutely free by finding a pencil that IS in your house and a piece of scrap paper which again is absolutely in your house. "Oh a screenless tablet is only 30 bucks." Yeah? And that $1000 computer was given to you? What about the next PC or tablet you have to buy about every 5 years or so to stay up to date? What about that tablet that got dropped and got its screen shattered? Tradition costs nothing when you compare it to digital. Another con no one mentions when it comes to digital. Corrupted files, lost files, computer crash unsaved work, stolen tablet, harddrive breaks, memory card error, or your digital medium just bricks itself. All equals lost art you will never see again. Traditional? Well maybe a house fire or flood but those same things will destroy your digital. Then after the fire whats going to be the bigger "barrier" to get back up and running? That 150 bucks you have to spend to get your artist grade Winsor Newton paints in your 5 main colors so you can mix every color, a few brushes, pencils and Strathmore paper stock? Or that 900 you have to spend for that new ipad? P.S. Computer monitors also cost money P.P.S Color correction on them is a nightmare. If its even capable of displaying correct colors at all. Some can't.

[@chokeberyy]

I want the book but I'm from EU 😢

[@SaraTepes]

It will be released internationally, just a couple weeks after it comes out in the US!

[@chokeberyy]

@@SaraTepes OMG YES! Thankss!!❤️