Print, pencil, paint, paper, all of these are traditional art mediums. The “should I go digital?” question is one that most illustrators, and many artists of my generation have had to answer. I am of the belief that yes, digital art is quicker and easier to achieve in terms of producing work to an industry standard consistently and quickly, enabling many illustrators to keep to the snappy deadlines the industry provides. It has its use, and digital work has every potential to be just as breathtaking and creative as traditional work. However, if like me you’re a stubborn old stick, and you’re approaching the industry with an easel and a paintbrush rather than with a tablet, here are five reasons to stick with your old school way of working.

You can sell original artworks. While artists & illustrators that work digitally can only ever sell prints of finished artwork, you’ll be able to sell originals, as well as prints. If you make it big you can potentially sell originals for hundreds of pounds, so it’s a pretty nice advantage.

While artists & illustrators that work digitally can only ever sell prints of finished artwork, you’ll be able to sell originals, as well as prints. If you make it big you can potentially sell originals for hundreds of pounds, so it’s a pretty nice advantage. You don’t have to worry about your work looking “real”. Digital artists face the challenge of giving their work an authentic visual quality. Flat texture-less images don’t often cut the mustard in the industry, so illustrators are having to find ways to replicate the handmade quality of traditional work. You won’t have to worry about that.

Digital artists face the challenge of giving their work an authentic visual quality. Flat texture-less images don’t often cut the mustard in the industry, so illustrators are having to find ways to replicate the handmade quality of traditional work. You won’t have to worry about that. You’re more likely to have a unique style. Traditional work is so varied. The pressure you apply with a pencil, the stroke marks you make with a paintbrush…all these little techniques make your work stand out as your own, something digital artists often have to work much harder for.

Traditional work is so varied. The pressure you apply with a pencil, the stroke marks you make with a paintbrush…all these little techniques make your work stand out as your own, something digital artists often have to work much harder for. You’ll earn respect from your Grandparents. Okay so not much of a business advantage, but it’s true that grandparents can appreciate a good old painting.

Okay so not much of a business advantage, but it’s true that grandparents can appreciate a good old painting. It’s just nice. I suspect none of the above are the main reason as to why an artist chooses to work with traditional media. The main reason is that making traditional work is just so fun! It’s nice to get a bit of paint of your hands (and bed sheets, carpets, door handles etc) it’s nice to have different results every single time you sit down at your desk. It’s an undying love that doesn’t go away, no matter how much the world around you changes.