Episode 8 - Bridging Art's Past and Future

The Fascinating Evolution of Digital Art

A Heartfelt Narrative of Growth

As someone who's been involved in both traditional and digital art for over three decades, I've seen a remarkable transformation. I remember the early days, starting with a Mac Plus and Adobe Illustrator, and it feels like another lifetime. I truly appreciate my journey and feel fortunate to have access to technology that has shaped my art practice.

As a former high school teacher, I witnessed how digital tools opened up new possibilities for students from different backgrounds. It’s exciting to see how these resources can make art accessible to many aspiring artists. My passion lies in helping traditional artists embrace digital methods, and I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to dive into this new world.

Navigating Digital Product Creation

In this episode, I’ll take you through the process of creating digital products, and I'll share insights from my 40 years in the art world. It's all about discovering who you are as an artist and understanding what the market desires. Through persistence and experimentation, I've learned that these experiences are crucial for growth.

Finding Joy Amid Responsibilities

Teaching Philosophy and Experiences

Embrace Your Creativity

I truly believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute to the digital art scene. If you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, I hope this episode inspires you. There are endless possibilities in digital creativity, and I invite you to explore your own artistic path.

Resources:

Procreate: A fantastic app for digital painting.
Adobe Illustrator: The go-to program for vector graphics.
Affinity Designer: A budget-friendly option for graphic design.
If you’re interested in learning any of these software programs, check out my digital art school, where I teach step-by-step methods through engaging projects.
Skillshare: An online platform offering a variety of digital art courses. Feel free to explore my Skillshare classes for some inspiration.
Jennifer Nelson from Jennifer Nelson Artists (Art Licensing Agency).

TRANSCRIPT:

Hey everyone! I’m excited to welcome you back to the Creative Juggle Joy podcast. Today, I want to talk about the fascinating world of digital art and share some insights.

For those who don’t know, I spent 30 amazing years as a high school teacher right in the heart of the evolution of digital art. I started with a Mac Plus, and I still have vivid memories of that time. I felt incredibly lucky to have access to such technology, especially as I was just starting my teaching career and raising a family.

I’ve been blessed to witness and participate in the transformation of the art industry, particularly commercial art. As I transitioned to online teaching after retiring, the growth of digital tools felt like a natural progression for me. I really love helping traditional artists who often feel intimidated by the switch to digital. Many say it's just too hard, but I want to change that perception. My goal is to simplify the learning process so my students can feel successful right away.

Let’s talk about my first experience with digital art. My first software on that little Mac Plus was Adobe Illustrator. If you remember those early days, the pen tool was like our lifeline. Picture trying to create a line drawing with a piece of wire. It was challenging!

As tools improved, particularly when the blob brush tool was introduced, I appreciated how much easier it became for my students to learn Illustrator.

Nowadays, digital art is more accessible than ever. Programs like Photoshop and Procreate have helped bridge the gap for many artists, allowing for techniques that mimic traditional painting. I’ve created many brushes over the years to emulate the natural media techniques I loved.

With Procreate, I find it incredibly comfortable to work from my couch or my sunny deck. It has truly become a creative sanctuary for me.

I recently had an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Nelson, a well-known artist's agent. We discussed blending traditional and digital techniques, which I love to do in my work. My art kit is like my trusty companion—I carry it everywhere, filled with markers and sketchbooks to use while traveling.

Speaking of travel, now I also bring my iPad along. Procreate is my go-to for many projects, but I also enjoy using Affinity Designer. Both programs have their strengths and expand the creative possibilities for all of us.

A lot of people shy away from traditional methods due to cost or convenience but are curious about creating art that could earn them an income. I’ve definitely seen artists skip straight into digital for that reason.

I want to touch on what I call the gap—the space between traditional and digital arts. I don’t want you to feel discouraged when I mention it. The great news is that these tools can simplify how you create beautiful work, and jumping into digital can streamline your path to monetizing your art.

If you're skipping traditional media, I encourage you to watch videos on how those techniques are executed. Learning about how to manipulate natural media can improve your digital work immensely. I’ve developed several brush sets to mimic those techniques, especially for things like oil or acrylic painting.

If you’re not yet comfortable selling detailed illustrations, explore simpler digital assets like textures, patterns, or printables. This can be a fantastic way to discover your own artistic direction while opening doors to new opportunities.

I firmly believe there’s no such thing as a truly self-taught artist. Most of us learn by watching others, whether from teachers or shared resources. I don’t consider myself self-taught—I owe so much to the amazing educators I’ve encountered along the way. I’m still learning, too!

When guiding students in creating digital products, I stress the importance of discovering their passions and what the market needs. I've launched many digital products, and figuring out what works best is vital for becoming prolific in your art.

The more you produce, the more comfortable you'll become, leading to faster workflows and improved quality. I remember my early experiences with craft sales helping me gauge what would sell, and today, digital platforms make it easier to test our products.

I know how discouraging it can feel when you see zero sales—believe me, I’ve been there too. But I can confidently say that persistence is key. Every step counts, and the more you stick with it, the better you’ll do in the long run.

I consider my online courses to be products in their own right. I remember when I first launched a class for Skillshare on traditional illustration techniques, and while I was proud of it, I noticed that my digital classes attracted much more interest. The market was ready for that shift, and I chose to follow it.

When creating new products, I recommend experimenting with different platforms to see what suits you best. I have tried many but gradually narrowed it down to a few favorites. For instance, I really enjoy selling on Cardisle, as it offers me fantastic returns.

Keep in mind it may not be the same for everyone—some peer group members do really well on Etsy. I also sell on Creative Market, where my Procreate brushes and digital assets do relatively well.

Evaluating your products is crucial, but remember, it's about consistent improvement. As you create more, you’ll hone your skills and notice the progress in your work. I sometimes look back at earlier pieces and cringe, but I see how far I’ve come by continuing to learn what sells.

Connecting with a community is one of the greatest aspects of teaching online. I love how it helps facilitate discussions about our art and the quality we produce.

Recently, I was reunited with a former student from 25 years ago. Hearing how our lessons shaped her career as a laser artist filled my heart with joy. It’s stories like hers that remind me of our impact as educators.

I’m currently working on a foundational course for Affinity Designer. I'm excited about merging vector and raster art in this class, and I want to take students from novices to being able to create intricate designs seamlessly.

With over 40 years of experience, I genuinely enjoy helping students overcome challenges like imposter syndrome and share their work with the world. Witnessing my students succeed brings me immense joy, especially seeing the impact of the five-card challenge we recently did.

If you feel inspired to explore digital art or online teaching, I invite you to reach out with any questions. I’m here to help, and you never know where that could lead you.

Before I wrap up, I would love for you to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review. Spreading the word helps others find inspiration, too. If you're on my mailing list, you'll receive updates on upcoming courses and resources related to digital art.

Thank you for joining me today on the Creative Juggle Joy podcast. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review or share it with a friend who might need a little encouragement in their creative journey.

Remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Until next time, keep creating, keep juggling, and most importantly, keep finding joy in the process. There’s joy in every step, even on the busiest days.