There are endless ways to create with the iPad, endless…….. I currently own six art applications, each has their own personality and focus. I can’t begin to tell you everything about each application; in fact, it is going to take me awhile to learn all the features, myself. What I would really like you to do is to brainstorm and open yourself to new ways of creating, “Think outside the Silo” as my friend Tim Hurson would say. In fact, I have taken 3 tools to create one piece of art. There is nothing in the books that says you can’t. You may like one feature better than the other for each application. You might like the medium for one, the line for the other, the texture from another and so on.
These are the iPad Art applications I currently own, Brushes, ArtStudio, Sketch Club, ArtRage, Inspire Pro and Artists Touch. I attached to each link, information or a manual that would be helpful in the description and application of each. This information will be more helpful than me describing each individually. What I would like to do is give you some examples of different ways in which I used these apps.
First of all from my previous blogs, you know I am very fond of Brushes and how easy it is to use. I am particularly fond of the color memory, just place your finger or stylus on any color of the drawing and it will duplicate. Inspire Pro has the color memory, as well. My favorite feature of Brushes, as you have seen in my past blogs is the Playback. Below is an example of the Brushes Playback revealing a more traditional painting. I also attached music to it.
I also enjoy taking photos of my art and drop the image into iPad. This was a plain pen and ink drawing that I manipulated using the Brushes application.
Sometimes I use one application and finish it off in another. The following is an example of me taking a drawing I have created in Sketch Club and dropping the image into ArtRage. I love the line in the Sketch Club application, but prefer the watercolor feature that I added on top of the drawing from ArtRage. Don’t you think it looks like it was done with one application?
Sketch Club also has this great feature that you can add text. It also has different font. I made a Christmas card that had garlands of text saying”Merry Christmas”.
I always wanted to create abstract paintings. ArtRage has allowed me to do this, having wide variety of mediums and tools from chalk, watercolor, pallet knife and oil painting. Below is my first abstract iPad drawing using ArtRage.
My last example is taking a photograph of a painting I created in acrylic, downloaded it into the Brushes application and continued to manipulate it. The advantage being that I can do whatever I want and still keep the original. Here is a playback showing the original painting, evolving in color and line.
I hope that you try one of these applications. Free yourself. You can’t make a mistake.
Great info, fabulous art, oh trailblazing one!
Thank you Obi Wan
You’re the best!
Great post, Janet. I’m not an artist, yet you made me want to explore those apps. My hands down favorite line is “There is nothing in the books that says you can’t.”
I am so glad you like the post. What is important to me through this blog is to have you explore. You don’t have to be an artist, but you may discover the artist in you accidentally. It is also a great way to play, to open your mind to ideas. Think about it also in terms of how you can use it for cards, for your work; it can be used
in a crafty way as well.
I want one !!
Oh Janet, you’ve opened my eyes. I wonder what I could do with these apps? I’m going to put some time aside this weekend and further explore this post. It’s wonderful, thank you for taking the time to investigate, give examples and share.
Thanks Russel, ask for one from Santa
Christine, that really thrills me that you would like to explore with the iPad and that it has stimulated you to create in different ways. That is definitely what I was trying to inspire.
Thank you both for visiting!
thanks for this informative and inspiring post! I already work with digital art and will now explore ipad options thanks to you. Two questions…my 6-year-old daughter is a budding artist who loves to explore new media..she loves art rage on my old tablet-could she handle any other programs-or are they too sophisicated? And you mention a stylus…I didn’t realize a stylus was compatible with the ipad. What stylus do you use and does it work with all these apps? thanks again and great art!
Yes, I would recommend Brushes. I believe ArtRage is harder than Brushes. I love the brushes memory for color and the playback as well. She will love it. Check out my previous blog “Choose Your Weapon” it talks about the styluses that I had used. Don’t forget to read the comments, for other artist’s suggestions as well. I am so glad you liked the blog.
Thanks Janet for sharing this information . . . I just bought an ipad yesterday and can hardly wait for its arrival and I love the way you talked about drawing every day and all the applications. I love your work and generous sharing of ideas. Thank you!
Penny you are going to have so much fun with your iPad. After looking at your website, I see you love thick, luscious paint. You might want to try ArtRage, the app has the ability to create the look of oil. By the way love your paintings. Thank you for stopping by.
Hi Janet, So glad I bookmarked this blog post. Am now the delighted owner of an iPad (specially bought as I cannot get to the studio just now and I am soooo frustrated at not working). Your art is very inspiring and this article has just made me an afficionado of Brushes. Will investigate the others as well. Have Inspire Pro, but think that Brushes is more up my street. Who knows, I might even post something one of these days.
That is so great Elly, I know you are going to enjoy it and it will open you to more creativity. It makes me so happy that my blog continues to help others, thank you so much!