Thanks! And I’d argue that traditional is more accessible on some metrics than digital, eg. having a lower entry fee because you can just get a box of crayons and a pad of paper for a pittance and go to town, vs. three figures at minimum for a usable PC to do digital stuff on, for example.
You can even get a set of paints and some brushes for pretty cheap if you’re interested in that as well; craft paints will do just fine for acrylics, for example, although you’ll want some heavy watercolor paper or at the very least construction paper for a working surface that can handle wet media reliably, plus paints in general can get kinda messy for something else to be aware of, but that’s a big part of why they’re fun.
Good point, and I understand where you’re coming from. My counterpoint is basically “the best tools to start making art are the ones you already have”.
In my case, I had a phone and the ability to download Pocket Paint (think OSS MS Paint), and that’s what got me started. For others, it might be basic paints and paper/cheap canvas from a dollar store. For others, it might be crude pigments made from old coffee grounds and charcoal remnants from a hobo fire they came across, applied to junk mail newspaper with kitchen utensils. For still others, it could be a rock and another, harder rock for etching.
You can always explore different techniques and materials as your interests develop and/or budget allows, but for the person who just wants to start making something, whatever you have on hand that captures your fancy is the best first choice IMO.
Thanks! And I’d argue that traditional is more accessible on some metrics than digital, eg. having a lower entry fee because you can just get a box of crayons and a pad of paper for a pittance and go to town, vs. three figures at minimum for a usable PC to do digital stuff on, for example.
You can even get a set of paints and some brushes for pretty cheap if you’re interested in that as well; craft paints will do just fine for acrylics, for example, although you’ll want some heavy watercolor paper or at the very least construction paper for a working surface that can handle wet media reliably, plus paints in general can get kinda messy for something else to be aware of, but that’s a big part of why they’re fun.
Good point, and I understand where you’re coming from. My counterpoint is basically “the best tools to start making art are the ones you already have”.
In my case, I had a phone and the ability to download Pocket Paint (think OSS MS Paint), and that’s what got me started. For others, it might be basic paints and paper/cheap canvas from a dollar store. For others, it might be crude pigments made from old coffee grounds and charcoal remnants from a hobo fire they came across, applied to junk mail newspaper with kitchen utensils. For still others, it could be a rock and another, harder rock for etching.
Shit, there’s people out there making paintings with Excel.
You can always explore different techniques and materials as your interests develop and/or budget allows, but for the person who just wants to start making something, whatever you have on hand that captures your fancy is the best first choice IMO.