[.ca] Digital Art Studio: Techniques for Combining Inkjet ... (ISBN 0823013421)

Digital output for multimedia artists:
I just received my copy in the mail and I'm overwhelmed with the outstanding imagery and techniques that the three artists of Digital Atelier offer in this book by Karin Schminke, Dorothy Simpson Krause and Bonny Lhotka. These are the three artists of Digital Atelier, and their website is mindblowing (www.digitalatelier.com). Don't forget to check the links to the individual artist websites. They started with professional, expensive inkjet printers through corporate sponsorships and grants, and it took ten years since the time these artists started experimenting and exhibiting for the technology to catch up with consumer inkjet printers. This book is process oriented and is recommended for intermediate to advanced mixed-media artists and photographers who want to explore digital artmaking. They show you how to use your inkjet printer, albeit more expensive and professional models, to print on practically any material: fabrics, plastics, metals, papers, etc. The past few weeks, I've been studying the techniques and I've ordered the InkAid product so I can create my own substrates for the low-end desktop printer, the Epson C84 with Durabright inks. InkAid is a special precoat and it was developed by the Digital Atelier artists (www.inkaid.com). I've been able to create interesting prints with my printer that neither the artists nor InkAid support - but I'm happy to report that they've both been very responsive and helpful with my questions. You'll still need to know the basics of digital design and composition, but if you ever wanted to make your artwork explode onto textures, layers, collage and 3-D surfaces - this book is it. This is a process-oriented book so you will still have to develop your own digital imagery, compose the layers, and prepare the surfaces before you can print. You will need to have some experience with image editing techniques such as Photoshop, and how to scan, capture or upload images to your computer. This book is concerned with output - and intimate knowledge with the capabilities of your desktop and wide- or large-format printers is necessary. This is not a quick artmaking process. Precoating to prepare various materials for printing on requires time to dry the layers but the effort is worth it. You will learn various image transfer and "emulsion" transfer (similar to Polaroid) techniques as well as some unusual printmaking and layering ideas: gelatin transfers, frescos, digital overprinting and underprinting, and collage. There's a whole chapter on transferring or printing images onto fabrics for both wearable and non-wearable art. The three artists offer numerous options to pursue and don't promise that their techniques will do everything. Amazingly, they do offer a lot. You can also work on your printed images with traditional art media - such as pastels, colored pencils, acrylics, even encaustics, but those techniques are not detailed too much. This book assumes you have your own expertise but it offers more possibilities for traditional and digital artists. They position the inkjet printer as a well-placed tool in the mixed-media studio. All the techniques build in complexity and they are demonstrated very well in step-by-step photographs and text. Examples of artwork is numerous and varied and so the art gallery is outstanding. As a new, self-taught collage artist, I am inspired to rework my best images and create new versions on various "canvases." This book as a great addition to my reference library. The only con to the book, and it's minor at that is some confusion I have with the materials needed for printing on or using as "carriers." Specifically, the list of polycarbonate, plastic sheets, polyester films. I have to take notes to keep track of which technique to try first as I shop for more materials but I am excited to start. This book has been long-awaited by digital artists and I congratulate Digital Atelier on the launch and applaud the three artists for their generosity.

Learn from Experience:
The authors of this book have spent many hours trying different materials, surfaces, and techniques to create traditional art in a non-traditional way. Utilizing digital imagery and studio art materials, they teach us to create art for a modern world. By sharing the results of their trials, we are presented the tools and material lists needed to follow their detailed examples. As an artist looking to take full advantage of both a painting studio and digital production equipment, this book is the kickstart that I needed.

Beyond the Digital Print:
Digital Art Studio is a must have book for artists who want to go beyond the straight digital print. The photographs are an inspiration to artists and the "how-to" information invaluable. I am a photographer who is always experimenting and this book is going to be my bible. Danny Conant danny@dannyconant.com

Digital Art Studio:
Finally the perfect book for creative artists looking to combine the newest technology ( digital art) with unusual materials producing the most interesting works of art. Congratulations on those three women artists who have shared their secrets and produced incredible visual effects for the reader. As a photographer, I have recommended this book to every artist I know. Catherine Steinmann.

Simply the best!:
Finally - a book for all of us out there who are trying to enter the field of computer art printing and just don't know how! I am a photographer living in Switzerland using my computer and inkjet printer instead of a darkroom. I have always wanted to broaden my knowledge in the various printing techniques and to explore new possibilities to take my art yet another step further. There are not so many good art courses on this subject out there- especially if you live in the mountains of Switzerland! - and no books to speak of. This book is a dream come true! Comprehensive, concise, well structured and beautifully presented. The accompanying photos make it easy to learn the different methods step by step in a very inspiring way. You simply cannot wait to try it all out by yourself. This book will become the Bible of Digital Art Printing! A big "Thank You" to the authors for sharing their knowledge and expertise.