I received my iPad in May for my Birthday from my husband. I have to admit my husband always keeps me up to date technologically; my first piece from him was a printer, than a camera, followed by a computer, iTouch, various software, etc. All were great for entertainment and organization, but the one that opened me creatively was the iPad. I knew instantly that the iPad would show me how it wanted to be used, depending on my life style and my needs. I still feel there is no end to the creative ways the iPad will be used. I am sure that it will be a springboard for many ideas and come in all sizes.
Anyway, after using the iPad for a month, I was curious if it could be used to create art. I soon found that an application called “Brushes” was great for this. It came with simple directions just enough to get me going and the rest was intuitive investigation and application. At first, it was difficult to use, I was using my hand to draw and trying to create detail was clumsy. I then purchased a Pogo, a metal tool with a small piece of sponge like material to draw with, which was a little better, but soon became smashed and unusable. I heard about this new tool called the Dagi, made in Taiwan, now this was an incredible tool. It glided easily without scratching the iPad and you could see what you were drawing, while drawing, unlike the others. Great tool.
You can’t make any mistakes using the iPad, no messes, you can store you drawings directly to your photos, flicker or email. You can play back the creation from start to finish. You can undo strokes easily, it can be a springboard for ideas, you can incorporate templates, and the possibilities are limitless. I even used it to design four commissions, which I will later blog about. The most exciting result from using the iPad was how it opened me, if felt so free, the critic couldn’t complain. I have always thought of myself as a painter, not someone who draws or uses other mediums, but what I have found was that limiting my mediums had also limited my creativity. I had no attachment to the results of the iPad, no expectations, no rules; naturally it allowed me to push the limits of my creations. It opened my eyes to creating with different mediums and realizing sometimes we need to try things totally out of our comfort zone, it may open you, it may expand you, it may take you to places you never been before.
Love this line…”I knew instantly that the iPad would show me how it wanted to be used…” I totally get what you mean by that.
I think I need to get Brushes and a Dagi for my daughter. She has such artistic talent and your post has me see the possibilities in a domain in which I don’t have a clue. Thanks for that!
And who knows maybe it will show me the way to opening an artistic door for myself.
Thanks Susan, It is so much fun. I tried the different drawing apps and Brushes was the most intuitive and quickest to manipulate while drawing. Please let me know if I can help you with purchasing the Dagi. It is from Taiwan and you have to email them to have them set up and invoice to purchase. They are so effecient and accomodating. And yes, a great way to test your creative side.
Janet, great post about the iPad, In fact I just got done with a art piece my self and posted it at my blog tweetuptheworld.blogspot.com. Full of fun the iPad is.