Choosing Between Drawing on Paper and Digital Drawing

Hello everyone, you are probably familiar with the ongoing debate between traditional drawing and digital drawing, regarding the cost of materials, speed, and legitimacy of one or the other. These two techniques are often compared yet they are more similar than they may seem.

In this article, I encourage you to consider various aspects to see what the advantages and disadvantages of each of these techniques are; perhaps this will inspire you to try out new graphic approaches.

Authenticity of the medium

For this first point, there is not much debate; on one side we have traditional mediums such as paper, notebooks, and canvases, and on the other side, we have graphic tablets (with and without screens) and iPads. The authenticity of the medium is found more in traditional techniques. There are numerous different mediums, offering varying weights, textures, materials, and colors. Few artists will question how pleasant it is to feel the texture of the paper under the tip of a pencil or the sound of pastel settling on the paper's grain.

These features are very difficult to reproduce digitally where the surface of a tablet is generally smoother and colder than paper, however, there exists a small alternative specifically for iPads, the paper-feel screen protectors (like Paperlike) which provide a sensation and sound very close to traditional drawing.

In summary, there will never be the same tactile sensation on a tablet as there is with real paper, even though alternatives exist.

Transporting equipment

Transporting materials is an aspect that can be either completely unnecessary or absolutely essential, depending on your preferences. Some artists prefer to create outdoors with very minimal equipment, while others like to have an entire studio filled with creative tools. Both traditional and digital drawing adapt perfectly to these two modes of operation, the only limit is your own constraints.

For fans of traditional art, it is easy to travel around with a pencil and a pen or mini watercolor palettes and draw or paint everywhere. However, this often means being more limited in the choice of materials at the risk of ending up carrying kilos of markers and paints.

For digital artwork enthusiasts, it is also very easy to travel with an iPad, the only tablet offering a real alternative to traditional graphics tablets. The only constraints are related to battery life and sometimes to sunlight, which can make it a bit more difficult to see the screen clearly.

To summarize, both traditional and digital drawing mediums can be easily transported if the artist is willing to limit both their equipment and their working time away from an electrical outlet.

What is the cost of drawing materials?

The cost of equipment is often a significant and decisive aspect of the various techniques considered by artists. Here again, the two techniques compete.

There is nothing more affordable than a pencil and the corner of a sheet of paper to start drawing. The vast majority of artists actually begin this way. However, when you wish to develop your skills, the cost of materials can quickly increase, whether to test new techniques or to own a full range of colors. And it's even worse when you want high-quality materials, as prices can skyrocket. Most importantly, in traditional drawing, materials are consumable and will constantly require reinvestment.

For digital drawing, this aspect has evolved significantly in recent years with the popularization of technology. You can find very good entry-level graphic tablets for €30, however, if you wish to have more surface area for drawing or a tablet with a screen, price ranges can increase rapidly (on average a few hundred euros) and can reach high costs depending on the models. The main advantage is the lifespan of the tablets, which is generally quickly recouped and means significant savings compared to traditional materials.

In summary, to start from scratch, traditional drawing will always be cheaper, but in the medium and long term, digital drawing proves to be more cost-effective.

Learning to draw traditionally or digitally?

This point is often subject to controversy, yet the differences are not so marked. It is often said that those who draw on tablets do not know how to draw compared to paper artists, which is due to the many "artists" who use brushes and do not actually draw. However, it is possible to learn to draw equally well in both traditional and digital mediums.

Traditional drawing is often associated with learning because it has a more intuitive aspect; it is easier to make small sketches on the corner of a sheet of paper than it is to think of pulling out a graphic tablet to make small sketches.

In order to learn equally from both mediums, it is necessary to work on learning methods rather than using the medium as an end in itself. It is easier to erase a mistake digitally, and therefore, there is often a tendency to experiment more frequently, while in traditional drawing, the more you erase, the more you damage the medium, so you must learn to be more precise.

The presence of layers in drawing software is a huge help as it allows you to experiment without damaging the drawing underneath. Finally, one can just as easily use a reference in traditional as in digital, which is essential for developing observational skills.

In summary, digital drawing is more permissive, which will help some to gain confidence and try new things without fearing ruining their creation, whereas traditional drawing requires accepting mistakes or even risking ruining your work in an attempt to learn. Both are valuable, so it is up to you to choose what you prefer.

Drawing techniques

It is undeniable, traditional drawing offers a much wider range of techniques. You can choose mediums and materials... The choice is extremely vast and this is where the charm of traditional techniques comes from. However, you must also conform to the constraints of different techniques, suitable papers, drying times...

Digital drawing software today offers numerous brushes that mimic traditional techniques. The physical and olfactory experience will never be equivalent, but visually some results are very impressive. This has two major advantages: not being subject to the constraints of these techniques, such as drying time, and being able to vary the technique results without having to buy all the necessary equipment.

In summary, digital drawing saves time and money across various techniques but takes away much of the olfactory pleasure that comes with using them.

Sharing

This last point regarding the ability to share your creation may be where we find the most similarity between the two techniques. Indeed, in order to share your love of drawing and your various works, there are numerous possibilities including physical or online group classes, exhibitions, and online platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, ArtStation, or Pinterest.

We live in an era where everything is connected and whether you draw traditionally or digitally, it is easy for you to share your work and discuss your passion. The only small difference is that it is slightly quicker to save your project and share it than to take a photo of it, but that’s a negligible detail.

I strongly encourage you to find a sharing community where you feel comfortable and which allows you to receive feedback on your work and to advise other artists, as is the case on the forum https://dessindigo.com/forum. Some, like the Facebook group and Instagram's Character Design Challenge, offer monthly character creation challenges, which can be an excellent way to motivate yourself.

To conclude, traditional drawing is appreciated for its authentic feel, the wide range of techniques, and its intuitive and accessible nature. Digital drawing, on the other hand, is valued for the time savings it offers, the variety of possible outcomes with brushes and filters, and its cost-effectiveness.

As you will now have understood, each of these techniques offers qualities that are unique to it and the only reason for choosing one over the other is primarily a matter of preference.

Editor: Chloé Pouteau