I remember when I first started using Photoshop for drawing. It was many years ago. Drawing tablets like the ones made by Wacom did not exist. And when they did make their appearance, they were too expensive.
Things have changed since then and now drawing tablets are very affordable. But even though the prices have dropped, a drawing tablet may not be in your budget or may not be practical.
But all is not lost! You can still draw using only the mouse.
Thinking in Terms of Shape
The process is different. You have to think in terms of shapes and gradations of value instead of thinking in terms of traditional drawing. With a drawing tablet, you can draw in a traditional manner. The output is digital, but the thought process is the same as traditional drawing.
So when we draw with the mouse, our thinking simply shifts.
We can use tools such as the selection tool to draw basic shapes. These shapes are layered to form more complex shapes. Gradations are added using the gradient or brush tool. It requires some planning and multiple layers, but it is possible.
I worked as freelance illustrator for a clothing company for a while. During that time, I was asked to create digital illustrations for their magazine and calendars. These illustrations were intended for children so they were brightly colored and playful. Each illustration needed to incorporate a “heart” in some way.
I used Photoshop for all of the illustrations, but used only a mouse to create them.
Here’s a look at one of those illustrations…
As you can see, the resulting image is based on shapes. The gradations in tone were developed using the brush tool after selecting areas (to make sure that the brush tool only made marks where I wanted it to).
Here’s a look at another illustration for the same company…
I even illustrated an entire children’s book using just the mouse and Photoshop. So, yes – it’s possible to use the mouse to draw.
A Few Lessons to Get You Started
These days, there are tons of lessons on drawing with Photoshop that will help you get started. I’ve created a few of these, although they use an older version of the program. I’ve grouped them all together on one page and I have a lesson on drawing with the mouse using Photoshop. This lesson walks you through the steps of drawing a sphere using a mouse.
You can check out these lessons here: How to Use Photoshop for Beginners
Conclusion
There are plenty of tools in Photoshop that will help you draw with a mouse. You can’t use a lack of a drawing tablet as an excuse any longer. It does take a little bit of practice but you will be amazed at how easy it can be.
You don’t have to have Adobe Photoshop in order to draw with the mouse. There are plenty of other drawing and painting programs for you to explore and have fun with. Gimp (free) is one of those programs, if Photoshop is out of your budget.
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The Steps to Art Criticism
It is important for us to be able to evaluate art. If we’re artists, we must recognize what is good and what is bad, so that we may become more successful at our craft.
If we’re patrons, we must be able to discern success from failure as well.
If we’re teachers, we must teach our students the mental process that people naturally go through when they look at a work of art. This way our students are better equipped to create successful artwork on their own, and understand why and how their artworks are digested.
See also: The Importance of Critique
How Do You Evaluate Art?
This question is answered differently by just about everybody. What really constitutes “good” art? We all know that opinion plays a major role in what a person may feel is “good”. But should it? Should there be a defined framework for what good artwork is? Should there be a standard? What would that standard be?
I often ask students, “What is Art?” The range of answers I get to this question is staggering. One answer keeps rearing its ugly head, however. “Art is whatever you want it to be.”
What??? Is that what art is? Whatever you want it to be?
My skin cringes when I hear this statement. Why? Art is NOT whatever we want it to be. It is a discipline that requires study, dedication, and practice. It takes knowledge to produce good artwork.
How can we evaluate art when we think it is “whatever”?
Evaluate yourself before you evaluate art. Do you like the expressive qualities of a work art, the message it conveys, and the emotional qualities within? Do you find that artworks that strive for realism suite your fancy? Do you place most importance on the use of color theory, use of line, composition, shape, form and so on?
Or perhaps you find all of these attributes to be important in good artwork?
We can categorize ourselves according to how we evaluate art.
Are you an Emotionalist?
If you find the expressive qualities of an artwork to be most important, you may be an emotionalist. An Emotionalist looks for the message the artwork conveys, evaluates how the artist has communicated this message, and proceeds to evaluate the artwork’s success on this notion.
Are you a Realist?
Do you find the realistic qualities of a work of art to be the most interesting? Are you the type that looks at a work of art and says, “That doesn’t look like a person”? Or maybe you look at a drawing and become amazed at how much the artist has made it look like a photo. If this describes you, then you probably are a realist and evaluate the success of artwork based on its realistic qualities.
Are you a Formalist?
Do you look for the color scheme, the use of the elements and principles of art, the composition and other formal qualities to evaluate the artwork? If you do, then you probably are a formalist.
Evaluating artwork is different for everyone. We will all look and see artwork differently. We will find merit in different places because we are different people. Should there be a standard for evaluating art? What do you think? Are you a formalist, emotionalist, realist, or a mixture?
The Steps to Critiquing Art
There is an accepted four step process for critiquing art. We generally go through these steps when we evaluate a work of art in our minds, but it’s helpful to know exactly what is happening. And if you’re teaching this process to students, it’s important to teach them this process so that can use it to evaluate their own works and the works of others.
Understanding the steps to critiquing art allows you to evaluate a work in more objective manner. So whether you’re an emotionalist, realist, or formalist, you can still appreciate the art – even though it may not be in the style that you enjoy the most.
The four step approach is…
- Description
- Analysis
- Interpretation
- Judgment
When I teach the steps of art criticism to my students, I have them say this word – “DAIJ”. Yes, I know-“DAIJ” is not a real word. I am very ridiculous about it. I say silly sentences like, “Have you guys played any DAIJ ball this summer?” The students may think that I’m crazy, but they remember that word-“DAIJ”. DAIJ is simply an acronym for the steps of art criticism.
Description
The first step in art criticism is description. When we look at a work of art, our minds naturally take notice of the general information that’s present. If we take The Mona Lisa for example, we notice, “Hey, this is a painting of a woman.”
We start with just a simple statement of observation. We should try to keep ourselves from judging the quality of the work until we have gone through all of the steps.
Analysis
Analysis refers to how the elements and principles of art are used in the work. In this step, our minds take in the lines, values, and colors of the artwork. We also may take notice of the balance, proportion, rhythm, and unity found within the work.
See also: Composition in Art
In a critique, students should point out what is happening with these specific elements and principles. Many times, the formal qualities of the art are what makes the art successful. Students should understand how these qualities work and what makes them successful in artwork. They should also be able to discern when these formal qualities are unsuccessful as well.
Interpretation
Often times, we’ll instinctively skip to this step. We look for meaning in everything, so this is perfectly natural. In this step, we explore the meaning of the art. What is the artist trying to communicate to us? There are no wrong responses here. The artist may have a meaning that they intended in the work, but how we interpret it is completely up to us.
Judgment
The last step in art criticism is judgment. Is this work of art successful? If we’re teaching students, it;’s important to guide them in this step. Remind students that the work of art may not be their favorite, but it may still be successful. This way, we teach students to appreciate all forms of art, even if we personally do not like it.
Conclusion
Understanding the steps to art criticism and implementing them in a structured way in critique, will lead to stronger artworks. If you’re teaching students, then these steps are vital. These steps help us to appreciate all forms of art, including the works that we may not appreciate at first glance. All forms of art have their place and all deserve a fair approach of evaluation.
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Art Portfolio Tips
Why Are You Building a Portfolio?
Creating an art portfolio for college entrance or for a job is an important step for any emerging artist. It’s important for artists to create a well crafted portfolio of artwork in order to effectively communicate the potential of the student or possible future employee. If you’re an aspiring artist or desiring a creative job, then a portfolio is a requirement.
Portfolios these days can come in a variety of forms. Some publishers and firms will still accept tear sheets (or a single page printed with several small illustrations) although most these days expect to see your work in digital form. Others require the artist to leave the portfolio for review. These types of paper portfolios have become a work in itself. Be creative with how you present your portfolio to a potential employer or college – within reason.
For a Job
We’ll first look at creating a portfolio for a creative position. When this post was first written, physical portfolios were the norm. However, in 2019, this has changed dramatically. Most portfolios are now created digitally in the form of personal websites or posted on third party websites. Some agencies and employers may still accept physical portfolios however, this practice is fading fast.
If your potential employer still accepts physical portfolios, here are some things to keep in mind…
You want to stand out from the other creative professionals that may be vying for the job. Consider creating a “leave behind” that you can leave with the potential employer. This will help them remember you. It could be a postcard or tear sheet, or something more creative. You are after a creative job, so be creative and original.
While some artists are employed as staff members for larger companies, many artists work as freelancers today. This means that your portfolio is important in finding your next job. Your portfolio speaks for you and it should reflect clearly the quality of work that you create as an artist.
If you have a specific style, make sure that this style is reflected clearly in your portfolio, so that your clients know what to expect if they reach out to you for your services.
Most working professionals already understand the importance of a portfolio and have likely already created one. With this assumption in mind, the rest of this post will cover the aspects of creating a portfolio for a college or university.
For Admittance into an Art School
If you’re a student preparing a portfolio for entrance into an art program, your approach to building your portfolio is different than one seeking employment. Most colleges and universities have their own specifications for what they want to see.
Generally speaking, most programs want to see some variety, instead of a defined style. They want to see a level of technical skill exhibited through different mediums and subjects. They want to see your potential.
If you’re planning to enroll in a college art program, then it is assumed that you’re currently in an art class either at a high school or local art class. The best high school art teachers prepare their students by designing curricula to aid in the development of a strong portfolio. This means that they design their lessons to cover a broad variety of subjects and mediums.
However, not everyone is lucky enough to have a strong art teacher. Some school systems don’t even offer art as an elective course. For those of you in this situation, you’ll have to develop your portfolio on your own. I had to do this when I was in high school, since my course load didn’t allow for an art class.
Want to see what I learned in art school? Check out this article…5 Things I learned in Art School
Here’s what I didn’t learn in art school…5 Things I Never Learned in Art School
What Should Be Included in Your Portfolio?
Organizing your portfolio should involve some thought and introspection. You may have tons of work that you’ll need to comb through or you may not have anything at all. In most cases, it’s best to show at least 8 pieces of art, but no more than 12 (unless your college requires more or less).
By limiting the number of works, you can be assured that only the strongest work you’ve created is shown.
Since variety is important, here are some suggestions for works to include…
Subjects
You should include a variety of different subjects. While a portfolio filled with concept drawings of cars (for example) may be impressive to some, it might not impress an evaluator from a reputable art school. You want to show that you are capable of drawing or painting a variety of different subjects.
Traditional subjects are usually best since they can display your technical skill. Here are few traditional subjects that can be included…
- Portraiture
- Landscapes
- Still Life
I would suggest including at least work from each of these subjects.
Media
Along with variety in the subjects you include, you’ll also want to consider the mediums. You’ll want to show that you have experience in a variety of drawing and painting mediums and that you have a level of technical skill with each.
Here are a few drawing mediums to consider including…
- Graphite
- Charcoal
- Ink
- Colored Pencils
- Pastels
And here are a few painting mediums to consider…
- Watercolor
- Acrylics
- Oils
When considering variety in the mediums that you include, keep in mind that most schools want to see an emphasis on drawing over painting. Drawing is foundational to painting and is usually a better indicator of your potential as an artist.
Most programs want to see work that has been created from observation. This means that the drawings and paintings were created by observing the subject instead of drawing from imagination, but it’s okay to include a couple of works that highlight your creativity as well.
Creativity
Exhibiting your technical skill is important, but your creativity should also be highlighted. You may want to include one or two works that were not created from direct observation. This means that it’s acceptable to include works that were created from imagination, but only a couple at most. Remember, you can be creative when working from observation as well.
The Order of the Works
The order in which you organize the works in your portfolio plays a role in its effectiveness. As humans, we tend to remember our first impressions and our last. We should consider this.
It’s best to start out with your strongest work. Make a great first impression. Your second best work should be presented at the end to leave the evaluator with a nice memory.
To do this, simply lay out your best 10-12 artworks. Order your works from the strongest to the weakest. You may want to ask a couple of honest friends or family members to help you out with this.
The order of works in your portfolio may look something like this, assuming you have 8 works…
- Your very best work
- Your third best work
- Your fifth best work
- Your seventh best work
- Your eighth best work
- Your sixth best work
- Your fourth best work
- Your second best work
Notice how, with this ordering, your weakest works are in the middle portion of the portfolio. This will start things with a strong impression and leave them with a strong impression as well.
Conclusion
Remember that your portfolio is a reflection of who you are as an artist. It should be clean, creative, and well organized. It should highlight your artwork clearly and send a positive message about you to that potential employer or that college evaluator.
Take your time and develop a strong portfolio that has variety of subjects as well as several mediums. If your college has specific requirements for submission, be sure to read them and understand them fully before submitting.
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