I love my watercolours. For me it is the perfect medium. I like the fact that there is always an element of chance when using watercolours and you have to learn to accept this and go with it. However painting with the iPad is the complete opposite - it gives me total control over everything. There are some great advantages of this new medium. First and foremost It is just so convenient. No materials or setting up is required - just you and your fingers (and a stylus for detailed work)! No mess and no clearing up afterwards - that has got to be plus too. I can paint anywhere with the iPad indoors or outdoors. For example I once worked on some book illustrations in a hospital waiting room. It's worth stating too that you do not need an internet connection to use your painting app. So which app is the best? I don't know - I use a free app and all the paintings in my iPad Gallery were done with Drawcast. Typical tight Yorkshireman I can hear you say. Well no actually....for once! I have bought several apps out of the many out there and while they all have their good points I always go back to Drawcast simply because it is the most user friendly for an old fogey like me. It is simple and easy to use so I can concentrate on the painting rather than the technology. The painting above well illustrates the versatility of the iPad. Based on an oil painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw this is a lovely composition and combination of light and reflections balanced by detailed trees and banks of the road. And we can't forget the mysterious lady. What's she up to at this time of night? Thanks to the iPad I have been able to portray the subtle nuances of colour and tone almost like the oil painting itself. Part of my new iPad Gallery I think this is quite an acceptable tribute to one of my favourite artists. Glenn
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