Digital. Art?

a. Monet, National Gallery #2 (2011), a photo by kelise72 on Flickr.

Yesterday I plonked myself in front of Monet's "water lillies" (Room 43, National Gallery, London), iPad and Nomad brush in hand, and had a go at copying a couple of the paintings...

First a word on the experience of painting with an electronic device -- not as easy as one might think to "get it just right". I mean, the app I used (inspire pro for iPad) *was* quite simple and easy to use...but it took a few tries to get the knack of desired mark-making, blending, loading the brush with colour, etc.

So above is my first try... I think it's not quite great, but then as with everything, painting with an iPad will just take practice.

The best thing about the afternoon though was the FUN of it, and the FUN of sharing this experience with the other museum-goers. More than one kid (and adult alike) paused to watch what I was doing, comment to each other and even ask questions (about the iPad, the app, the Nomad brush).

I think Apple might be missing out on a marketing/sponsorship opportunity here? ;) Especially since there's an Apple store in Covent Garden... hmm...

Anyway... I'm further convinced that technology is firmly a part of my art practice... either within the source material/images, the sketchbook work, or the finished piece...

Ouch.

"I used to have a lot of fights. It wasn't because I liked fighting, it was really just that people said things to me to which I felt the only reply was to hit them" (Lucien Freud)

Some days I feel JUST like that, but I don't hit people anymore.

Self-portrait with a Black Eye - Lucien Freud, 1978. This painting is expected to sell for about £3million at auction this week...

The image kind of creeps me out because the eyes look all rheumy and I'm not sure what his mouth is doing. It could be smiling, lying or eating cake for all I know... and what I don't know is what the whole face means.

I'm not sure if I like this painting. At any rate, I wouldn't like it in my house staring at me all awkwardly and half-hidden. So I'll save my £3million for something else :)