What's New

Creating Changes Rules

Self Portrait - digital art - finger painting - Dan Beck November 2007

I have not been writing much - rather formulating some next moves - next art - next music projects. Too much of the blogging time, we write just to write - to bring attention to our work or simply share into cyberspace.

Whether I am able or not - my hope from here is to write when it is right - when I have something new to share.

My previous self-portrait done earlier this year was done the way I do most of my work - from my head with some tweaking from visual inspection (when available).

This self portrait - also an exercise - of how well can I paint with my fingers? utilized the camera of my new laptop.

I don’t really like the idea of painting from a photo - seems a step removed to me - but I couldn’t resist the technology. And although it is a perfectly acceptable practice in digital art to paint and alter a photograph - that is not the tact I took here - just used it as a model.

See Also

• Art Not to be Sold - recent artwork, work for other purposes, and work I am undecided on how I want to sell or am simply saving for local purchase only - a guide to blog articles
• Creating Changes Rules - whether the verb is “Changes” or “Rules” - I am not the only one who has noticed

Break Your Own Rules

The figures from the line drawing exercise were a departure from my more typical work - it was supposed to be something different and fun.

I opted to go two different directions of digital painting at the same time - completing levels 1 and 2, than 3 and 4, until I made it to 7 and 8 where I decided to quit.

As I have already indicated, I think the best way for someone to learn how to do is by doing - coaching aside - one still needs to do. And although all mediums have their intrinsic limitations, most of the limits are the rules we impose upon ourselves - necessary- but changeable as time goes on - for instance, trying to be accepting of the term digital art instead of focusing on the differences.

As of this moment, the only thing I have to add to my own written in 2004 - tips on being creative is this final lesson - Don’t be afraid to break your own rules!

See Also

• On Being More Creative - 10 tips - written in 2004 - for being more creative - courtesy of Outhouse Studios
• First, Break All the Rules - liked the title - and the connection between the managerial model of utilizing strengths and building on success - to what one must do as an individual in learning to do and accepting one’s limitations along while building on one’s strengths