The Benefits and Bugaboos of Technology

Gestural study drawing of Alex by me

There has been a good discussion in Gail Wilson's list about technology and how it is changing the world.  On the one hand, it has meant more people are involved with technology, and less with making things with their hands.  On the other hand, it means that old crafts like tatting can be learned through Youtube videos. I thought it was charming that this video says, "I'm going to teach you to tat the way my grandma taught me."

In the past few years, as I've been focused on making folk art, I haven't done as much painting.  I love painting. I love folk art.  My time allows me to really DO one intensively. Technology to the rescue!   On my new iPad, I can use the Brushes app and make some fun images.   By varying the opacity of the mark, the mark-making tool I choose and the size of mark I make I can do layers and glazing.    So I'm practicing with glazes, etc. and what happens when you layer purple over blue.  On the other hand (OTOH), I am not getting 3D brush strokes when I paint this way.   So it's limited.  But at least I am painting some, and that's a good thing.  We'll see how it transfers when I pull out the real paint.  


Here's a drawing my son Alex did using the Brushes app on the iPad.   The great thing about this is you have "paper" and a "paintbox" at your fingertips while you're traveling around.   You could make landscape drawings on trips and keep them as studies for larger real paint paintings.  :-)  


Drawing Alex did on my iPad

Dixie Redmond

4 comments:

Jan Conwell said...

I'm still not sure what I think about so much technology in our lives. Cccording to my Techno-Genius son in law, I "probably still use an abacus."

Unknown said...

I love to paint too! So cool you are trying new things! Very inspiring!

Dixie Redmond said...

Abacuses are okay, too, Jan! :-)

Dixie Redmond said...

Hi, Sue - Painting was my first love until I discovered folk art dolls. I still love it so much, and want to do more painting. Always so much to do!


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden