Computer Art

Computers as Art Tools

You don’t need a lot of unusual, expensive equipment to make art on a computer, and there are several simple, yet cool things you can do with a basic computer and printer setup. For instance, to jazz up a note, letter, greeting card or invitation, etc., you need only fill the background with color and print in a colored font. It doesn’t get simpler than that and it is a very impressive and elegant look. Just consider ad art and the way colored backgrounds and colored fonts are used to grab attention.

For impact, printing with a colored font on colored paper stock makes a grand correspondence. Sometimes easy and straightforward is best. There are numerous styles and finishes of paper from which to choose that require only an ink jet printer. Some of the most dramatic (e.g., vellum, metallic surfaces) require a bit of caution, since the ink will sit on the surface and is more easily smeared. But allowing some time between each sheet will yield great results.

When it comes to photography and the manipulation of images, there are some inexpensive programs (and some advanced) that can do remarkable things to the photos you take. Papers for photo printing are offered in a variety of finishes so you can select the surface that is best suited to the image. You can even print onto primed canvas that is ready to receive the photo ink image. Sizes to accommodate any printer can be found at art material dealers. Inks can be archival for important work.

For the daring, the art of collage is quite possible on the computer. With a bit of practice, you can “cut and paste” images from one background to another, cut out busy backgrounds altogether, add spots of color to otherwise non-color imagery – you’ll be surprised at what you can do and love every second.

There is a fairly low learning curve on programs designed to get your creative juices flowing! It might take a bit of time to work through the processes, but once you get to work, you’ll forget the curve. After you get an image manipulated the way you want, you can save and then reuse it as often as you wish and it will be exact each time. This opens the door for many artists to create limited editions with ease. On-demand images are a big business, so why not consider it as part of your offering? There is a small start-up expense, but in the long run, if selling is your aim, you can regain your costs very quickly.

Another way to use images is in the creation of greeting cards. Many gift and curio shops have handmade cards that are big sellers, since their cost is low and the images can be collectable. With a line of small image artworks on cards, you might find an entirely new way to market your work.

Using a computer is like any tool—once you grasp the way to use it, there are many applications available. And there is no setup to speak of, no health hazard and it can be done any hour of the day. Not bad!

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 22, No. 2 — December 2011