Digital Vs. Traditional: Which is better?

  In recent years, digital art has become more and more popular - and extremely useful. With only a computer, you can draw anything, sometimes without paying anything. Traditional art, on the other hand, is the "old-fashioned" way of drawing. Some may argue that digital art is better because it is newer. But is this actually true? Which is better?

  First of all, you should learn about both types of art. Digital art is new and can be done on both a computer and a mobile device. It allows you to use different tools to draw that you might not be able to use in real life, Some drawing programs even let you make your own brushes! With digital art, you aren't limited to what pencil crayon colours you own and can even draw on different layers, resulting in more realistic art. But there are some downfalls though. Good drawing programs, such as Adobe Photoshop or PaintTool SAI, are not always free, and it is also somewhat hard to draw with a computer mouse. 

  Traditional art may be old, but is still a great way of drawing. Since this is how people have been drawing since forever, you can find many resources on how to draw this way. Also, you can draw this way anywhere; you don't need Internet, a device, or even electricity to draw traditionally. In fact, most people already own the supplies for traditional art since all you really need is paper, something you can write with (like a pencil, a pen, or even a crayon), and, if needed, an eraser. But traditional art is not often too realistic, especially if it's in colour. Unlike digital art, where you can erase an infinite number of times, if you erase your traditional drawing too many times you will rip through the paper. Posting your drawing online is difficult too; you either have to take a picture of your drawing or scan it, both of which don't give you a transparent background like a digital drawing can.

So after all of that, you're probably thinking that digital art is better. But to say that, you would be wrong. In my opinion, both types of art are great. There are amazing artists in each type of art and they should all be treated equally. It's rude when someone only allows artists to enter their art contest if they do a digital drawing or when someone doesn't accept the traditional art someone made for them just because it isn't digital. Art is art, no matter how it's done.

- Annaliese