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Design Tattoo Motifs - Analog Drawing vs. Digital Drawing
While people used to draw their sketches and designs quite classically on paper, nowadays they can also draw digitally. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each drawing technique?
Speed - work as time-saving as possible
As a practiced tattoo artist, you are relatively fast on the road when designing new tattoo sketches. But even as a long-time tattoo artist, you sometimes sit for hours on a tattoo motif, then come subsequent changes to it, it is especially complicated with analog drawings.
Especially when it comes to subsequent changes, digital drawing has a clear advantage. By using different layers, individual motifs can be easily reworked. Even resizing can be adjusted more easily with a digital sketch than with a digital drawing. Mistakes such as a wrong brush stroke or an outline that is too thick can be easily undone digitally.
Especially when it comes to subsequent changes, digital drawing has a clear advantage. By using different layers, individual motifs can be easily reworked. Even resizing can be adjusted more easily with a digital sketch than with a digital drawing. Mistakes such as a wrong brush stroke or an outline that is too thick can be easily undone digitally.
When drawing digitally, the option to paint on different layers also allows you to combine the individual drawings into one large overall picture. This makes it easier to implement motif ideas.
You can also use existing motifs as a kind of template and expand and modify them further.
In terms of speed, digital drawing has a clear advantage over analog drawing. But what about creativity, flexibility and costs?
Creativity - simply implement your own ideas
Without creativity, we artists won't get far in our craft. But it's often not so easy to get the ideas down on paper. We'll try to give you an understanding of digital and analog drawing in terms of creativity and work out the advantages and disadvantages.
Let's start right away with the great advantage of analog drawing: textures.
Lines and colors bring them along and are absolutely unique. We can draw them softer and thicker, press the pencil a little harder and thus get a more opaque layer of color. If we work with liquid colors, they can produce surprising results when we run or layer them on top of each other.
Digital lines and colors can sometimes look quite homogeneous, making them look unnatural. Drawing on paper also stimulates creativity more for some, as it is a longer process than digital, for example.
Lines and colors bring them along and are absolutely unique. We can draw them softer and thicker, press the pencil a little harder and thus get a more opaque layer of color. If we work with liquid colors, they can produce surprising results when we run or layer them on top of each other.
Digital lines and colors can sometimes look quite homogeneous, making them look unnatural. Drawing on paper also stimulates creativity more for some, as it is a longer process than digital, for example.
Also, when drawing on paper, you don't have to keep up with the latest updates or pick out the right brush thickness. Analog drawing is more intuitive and improves your drawing skills.
But many also appreciate the digital option of playing with different effects to create entirely new compositions.
So you just have to try it out and see what you feel more comfortable with.
But many also appreciate the digital option of playing with different effects to create entirely new compositions.
So you just have to try it out and see what you feel more comfortable with.
Flexibility - use versatile options
As a tattoo artist, you must always be able to react flexibly to the wishes of your customers. Often you sit for hours on a sketch, but then have to change it again according to customer wishes.
Thanks to the latest technology and programs that leave nothing to be desired, you have every freedom when it comes to tools for digital drawing. From different brush strengths to exciting effects and the option to undo things easily. You don't have this flexibility with analog drawing, because these options are completely missing or can only be implemented with a great deal of effort.
But the infinite possibilities can also develop into a disadvantage.
But the infinite possibilities can also develop into a disadvantage.
Due to the many possibilities, it can happen that you completely overlay the actual motif visually. Too many effects used incorrectly can make your work unnecessarily difficult.
You need the right equipment for both digital and analog drawing. While you usually get by with pen and paper for analog drawing, you need at least a tablet for digital drawing. You can easily carry both tools in your bag from A to B and are flexible in your choice of workplace.
You need the right equipment for both digital and analog drawing. While you usually get by with pen and paper for analog drawing, you need at least a tablet for digital drawing. You can easily carry both tools in your bag from A to B and are flexible in your choice of workplace.
Costs - save money in the long run
The costs also play a role in the choice of the preferred drawing. We present the two drawing options against each other.
For digital drawing, you need at least one tablet to get started. These are usually expensive to purchase. However, the more drawings you create, the more it pays to buy a tablet and associated software. In most cases, this is a one-time investment.
Professional drawing equipment for analog drawing in particular is associated with corresponding costs. Since you use the equipment regularly, you have a higher wear and tear and have to buy individual products more often.
Especially if you draw a lot, the purchase of a tablet is more worthwhile for you.
Especially if you draw a lot, the purchase of a tablet is more worthwhile for you.
In conclusion, drawing is a personal decision. Everyone should work with the method they feel most comfortable with. But maybe you'll try the other option and discover new ideas for yourself and your art.