So here's a question for all of you blogging artists that take the time to visit my blog: What is your take on "updating" older artwork? Last night I snapped a few digital photos of some of my older artwork, simply to have it in a digital format. As I was looking at a watercolor painting I did way back in 1983- (as an aspiring Sophomore in high school) I realized that looking at old artwork can be inspiring as well as laughable, and as I was looking at this painting I kept cringing at what a poor job I had done. Lots of very washed out colors, lack of definition and it was obvious that I was still trying to develop a style of my own. A lot of the monsters I painted were likely taken from Dungeons and Dragons manuals or some other source, but I guess that is more forgivable as the painting was basically a tribute to all things horror. So I decided to take one small section or character of the painting and attempt to improve it using Photoshop. Here are the results- hopefully you can tell which one I painted in 1983 and which one I painted digitally last night. If not, the one on the right is from last night! So back to the original question- what do you think about the idea of updating old artwork? My opinion? Something like this where I can update the old artwork digitally and not actually alter the original is alright, but I don't think I would want to change the old stuff and never be able to see it as I intended it at that time. I contemplated taking a shot at re-painting the entire piece digitally, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt that I would rather create an entirely new modern painting than spending time re-doing something I created in 1983. Regardless, I had fun giving a "digital face-lift" to this witch like character, and I hope you all have fun checking it out as well!
4 comments:
I think it depends on the piece. I have considered re-working some of my old stuff in Photoshop. The reasons that I haven't are because the stuff I did then was far different than my style today and that I would prefer to do something new. Maybe base it on an older piece, like you did in your lat post, but I would prefer to do an entire new piece.
Just my 2 cents worth for today.
That's a really interesting question... So far I've only manage to cringe at my old artwork... Never wanting to do more than to shove it back in the box/drawer/hole I found it in. But what if? hmmm... There's a lot of my stuff I feel I've just grown out of, but there is a lot of half finished things that might be nice to finally finish with a new perspective. It's cool that you made an update on the old piece digitally, it's a great before and after thing. As well as if you think about the fact that at 17, you had no idea you'd be retouching it so many years later, and what will you be doing with the stuff many more years in the future... It makes you realize that the stuff you make has some force, even if it's just for yourself.
Eliza and Lou... both good points. I like your perspective Eliza about how you don't realize that the stuff you are drawing now can be an influence in the future... Kind of a mind trip there, sort of like watching the Terminator movies or something! I have definitely found that if you are not a fan of your own artwork, then what is the point? Thanks for commenting!
I contemplate goin back and completely redoin alot of my works (Takin what I know now and applying it ), but most of my shiz are doodles... I have done it, and prolly will reaquaint myself with some older stuff now that you have posed such a intriguing question...
Colors came out nicely btw! Fantastic
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