High tech works of art
Published:Sunday | February 16, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Keisha Hill, Arts & Education Writer
Just by looking at the breathtaking digital paintings diligently crafted by Heather Smith, one would surmise that she has spent many years at the finest universities learning the art. However, Smith is a self-taught artist and used the art form as a young child to occupy her time and, as she so aptly puts it, to "prevent boredom".
Digital painting is a method of painting or a technique for making digital art on the computer. As a method of creating an art piece, it simulates traditional painting media such as acrylic paint, oils, ink, etc., and on completion, it looks like the pigment that is applied to traditional carriers, such as woven canvas cloth, paper, polyester, etc.
As a technique, it uses a computer graphics software programme which has a virtual canvas and a virtual box of brushes, colours and other supplies. The virtual box contains many instruments that do not exist outside the computer, and which give a digital artwork a smoother look and feel than artwork that is created in the traditional way.
Smith started by just drawing and taking scissors and making something from whatever she could get her hands on. "My outlet was art. At home, there was no Internet, and we just had local television, so drawing and creating things was my way for entertainment and to relax," Smith said.
Initially, she used the traditional methods of drawing, however, several years ago, she started painting digitally. Coincidentally, one summer, while she was an intern at her mother's workplace, she went online during her breaks and saw interesting designs and paintings and became fascinated with them.
"I became curious and started reading about how it is done. I started learning Photoshop, and my mother got me the programme. I used the tutorials and practised and tried to create designs with the mouse in Photoshop," Smith said.
Years later, with the advent of newer technology, Smith now deftly uses her tablet to create her designs. "I found out about using the computer tablet through a friend who also painted (with) it. I decided to invest in one for myself. Using a tablet is ideal because it comes with a stylus, which makes it easier to create designs," Smith said.
Smith's paintings are focused on realism and are not quite abstract as she wanted to paint different things. "My work appeals to my playful side and excites my imagination. Painting comes naturally for me, and I am inspired by different things," she said.
"My inspiration comes from random moments," she said, "I have to be in the mood to work."
She has posted her work online on an art blog site where persons can view her pieces. To view Smith's work visit: http://hsadda.deviantart.com/gallery/