What are your favorite programs to make art?
Can the answer be time? Can we make time a program without end?
Here's the thing, as I grow as an artist so does my business, and well, that inevitably means that the time to make art seems to be less and less. I know I am not alone in this space, I feel like it comes up weekly in my peer groups, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept. Truth be told, this year I have seen so much growth in new parts of my business that I haven't had a ton of space to think about making art. This makes for an interesting conversation at this point- when I have time, what are my favorite programs (I am also going to include methods) to make art?
Procreate. It changed my process in such a way that I can't think about going back. Can you say symmetry? I am obsessed. As I get to know this program more and more, my work flow has gotten faster and faster and I am able to create quickly (when I am in the right head space).
Photoshop. Never did I ever think that would be on the list, but I am becoming a convert. I like it. I like that it integrates with Procreate, eliminating the need to vectorize my work. Winning! This has allowed me to create with more texture and my heart likes that. AND once I learned how to recolor- it was a game changer!
Illustrator. I am including this because it was the gateway program I used to get started making art as a working artist, so it definitely deserves a spot here, but I hardly go to this program anymore. I will always love the color changing tool here!
Here are some really fun art materials I love to use:
Micron pens… swoon worthy lines.
Caran D'Ache… water soluble wax pastels… these are the crayons of your childhood dreams… and then you can use them with water, I mean… what? They are pricy and amazing and worth it when you feel a little less creative. They will quickly jump start you into creativity!
Gouache… I am a total newbie here, but I am embracing the process and there is something in this process that is so freeing. I am not at a place to try to make money with this art and that feels really good.
Sometimes, I find that when I try to monetize all the art I create, the joy leaves. So, going back to a non-digital process has really helped me to balance my art business with creating art.