Painting Redefined

Last week I completed another graphic arts course with UCLA Extension. This winter quarter I learned about digital painting in Adobe Photoshop. For twelve weeks I learned multiple techniques for creating digital paintings from scratch. Some of them were started by hand with paper then later scanned and rendered with brushes to become full color paintings. Other assignments were started by digital sketching and/or photo compositing. The goal of every assignment was to create a full color painting with a range of values and textures that were intended to look like paintings not reality.

Going into this class I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew that learning to paint digitally would be a great tool for communicating design ideas for murals, scenery designs and lighting concepts. What I hadn't expected was that the paintings would strongly reflect my own style and would be executed much in the same way that I would start any other painting or mural. I also hadn't expected that they would look like real paintings and be able to stand on their own as art.

Overall this class was an incredible experience that has provided me with a strong set of tools that I can apply to so many areas of my work. I have been able to find a lot of inspiration with this new way of working. For me, digital painting will never replace actual painting but I have learned that digital painting can still be a very respectable means of expression. One cannot be a good digital painter without the same raw talent that it takes to paint with a tangible brush and canvas.

My Web Site Launch!

The first part of my official website has been launched! This first portion is focused on work of my personal expression. As of now, this portion of my website is heavy on photography, both film and digital. I plan on adding paintings in the next few months. Soon, the second portion of my site will be launched which will focus more on my entertainment design work for both lighting and scenery. This portion will also include my portfolio of commercial painting and comissioned murals.  Please take a look at the newly launched part one of my site. Thanks!

HTTP://WWW.KCOULOURIDES.COM

Pencil vs. Pixel

Since my third quarter with Design Communications at UCLA Extension has come to a close, I have been spending my time enjoying the summer and putting new projects into motion. This past quarter was the most rewarding for me in so many ways. Since joining the program I have gained so many skills to take my photography and art to the next level. However, this past spring gave me so much more than that.
Part of the reason I began the program in the first place was because I felt that art was becoming so digitally driven and that my traditional by hand methods were becoming obsolete and outdated. So in an effort to stay artistically compeditive, I began courses in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and the like. Over the first two quarters I learned that great art can still be created entirely in digital format and personal style can still translate through a mouse with a little practice and tons of patience. However, this past quarter I learned that I was wrong about the digital progression of art.

Typography Assignment: Hand Lettering

Even though digital methods are an amazing tool, I found that many of the best artists out there are still beginning work entirely by hand; and in many cases, only using digital methods for final touches and production. Artists are still current and will continue to be regardless of their medium because when it comes down to it, it's always going to be about the ideas. The realization that work by hand will never be replaced entirely by computerized tools has sparked a deep resonating creative breakthrough. Now I fully feel that I am not becoming obsolete and being able to draw and paint really is an amazing talent to posses. I feel lucky and energized that I've come to this understanding at this point in my career. While I take a break from classes this summer to process this,  I look forward to starting the Fall quarter with a whole new outlook on art and creativity, which I'm certain will directly contribute to gaining even more out of my future classes.