Using Technology For Your Paintings

"CLICK!"

The moment an artist hears the first click of a camera shutter, they grab the photo to aid in their painting. Photos and painting? The rest is history. Recently, I received an email asking about AI and the rapidly advancing tech in the art world. The email read: “Dear Doug, what are your thoughts on all this new technology, especially AI? Have you used any of these apps? How much is too much, and when does it become cheating?” Thanks, Theresa, for the great question! I get many emails like this.

The Impact of Technology on Art

There must be a billion new apps out there, all aiming to enhance your life. We see the ads everywhere:

• “Free trial!”

• "Erase your ex from the photo!"

• "Transform your life! Switch out your dull background with one from a city you've never visited.”

• "Try a new face! Erase those wrinkles."

• "Turn yourself into a 15-years-younger anime version with a thousand cc’s of virtual Botox!”

  
  

Indeed, there’s a plethora of apps available. Theresa, I do use some. But before revealing my favorites, consider this: some people still believe using a photo is “cheating.” This debate extends far back in art history.

A Historical Perspective

I’m pretty sure that way back in Lascaux, France, when Thag traced his hand and blew paint through a hollow bone, he felt like a pioneer. Then along came Zog. “Hey Thag, check this out! I tied some fur from a squirrel’s tail to a stick. It makes cool marks.” Thag probably replied, “No thanks, Zog. That looks weird. It's never going to catch on. Plus… isn’t that kind of cheating?”

I’m calling it—the paintbrush was one of the first big leaps in art technology. And we were still in loincloths. So, do I embrace technology? Absolutely. Without the brush, how would we have evolved from primitive marks to what we create today?

(I know, it’s not a painting, but when else can I share a photo of Raquel Welch in a newsletter?)

Embracing New Tools

Technology can also be non-digital. In my world, it includes anything that pushes art forward. A prime example is the movie ‘Tim’s Vermeer.’ It showcases Tim Jenison's quest to understand how Vermeer achieved such photographic paintings. Tim theorizes that Vermeer possibly used a camera obscura or mirror system to assist his drawings. If using a camera lucida is cheating, then using the laws of perspective counts as cheating, too. Those ideas are simply cheat-code formulas guiding artists toward their goals.

Techniques to Explore

What about techniques like tracing? Enlarging photos? Using projection systems? Norman Rockwell certainly didn’t view these as cheating. He set up full scenes, took photos, projected them onto a canvas, and brought them to life. He would tweak proportions, making women’s waistlines smaller and enhancing the charm of his subjects, resulting in relatable perfection. He used the camera to streamline structure, backed by his strong understanding of illustration.

Norman’s setup for the working drawing.

The Evolution of Artistic Methods

Not long ago, I painted alongside the incredible artist John Poon. We perched on a hill at the Leighton Art Centre, both gazing at the horizon. As I pulled out my composition finder, John casually revealed a digital camera, composing on the screen.

“Doesn’t that feel like cheating?” I asked. He laughed, responding, “Cheating? This is the same as doing thumbnails in a sketchbook—just faster and with fewer paper cuts.” In that moment, I felt oddly liberated.

Technology as Advancement

Who knew that allowing technology to shoulder some of the burden could feel like an artistic victory? Technology is simply advancement.

It doesn’t matter if it’s digital or analog; it all boils down to improved tools:

• Finger

• Brush

• Pinhole camera

• Value sliders

• Red plexi viewer

• Claude mirror

• Tracing paper

• Dürer’s fancy grid machine

  
  

All are essential tools.

(Albrecht’s trendy trace-o-matic drawing grid, available at fine art stores.)

My Current Digital Toolkit

Yes, I use apps and embrace technology. Though I haven’t delved deeply into AI just yet, I’m comfortable with it. Currently, I love Autodesk Sketchbook. It's intuitive, forgiving, and the least likely to make me throw my tablet across the room. I’ve tried Photoshop, CorelDRAW, and one app I downloaded in 2008, which I never opened again. For me, Sketchbook is the winner. I enjoy experimenting with composition until something clicks. It’s easy and enjoyable.

If you’re truly creative, check out Art Set. It’s as if an entire art store was crammed into your iPad—pencils, paints, pastels, and perhaps even a glitter pen (no promises).

I can’t forget Notanizer—a handy app that helps nail value structure. It’s a gem.

Final Thoughts: Use the Tools, Not the Excuse

Here are some quick warnings:

• Painting from a manipulated photo eliminates the original magic.

• Tweaking a photo for composition? Totally fine. Converting it into a unicorn rave? Maybe not.

  
  

I’ve made this mistake: I often tweak the photo while painting. I end up working from an already edited image, leading to even more tweaks. This can be quite confusing—a bit like chasing one's own tail in Photoshop. Instead, use your edited photo as inspiration. Work from the original, peeking back at the manipulated image occasionally to remind yourself of what you can achieve.

Now go forth, young Padawan. Embrace the future.

Your friend in art,

Doug.

See my online workshop on Sunday, June 1, 2025, and learn more about painting preparation using the Sketchbook app. I’ll teach you how to set up the design of your painting before even touching the canvas. https://www.swintonsart.com/service-page/editing-paintings-with-sketchbook

Here is a short video of some of the French impressionists embracing the latest technology.

Here is a link to the documentary Tim’s Vermeer. Worth the watch.