"Mama's Blues"

Originally started life as a pastel drawing on paper which I scanned and manipulated in Photoshop. Some experimental work using KPT and water colour plug-ins resulted in this interesting piece yet to be published.

I used to hate computers and thought that they had no place in the illustrative process or environment. It wasn't until I started "playing about" with one that I began to realise that they could actually be an exciting and useful artist's tool. Back then, even with an obtrusive mouse and basic paint program I could see the opportunities of creating interesting digital art.

Years on, I still don't believe for a minute that they will ever replace the look and feel of traditional medium, but programs such as Painter, Illustrator and PhotoShop have become useful tools in my graphic arts arsenal. I have been able to scan, rework and manipulate my original works to experiment and create unique prints or reproductions and have used the computer to store high resolution copies of my work to disc.

In my view there is still a need for strong drawing skills to make the most out of digital rendered art and to retain individuality and originality of ones work.