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Art Thesis

Paints and Pixels: Using the Computer,
A Tablet and Stylus as the Medium for Painting

A Master Thesis submitted to the Graduate Facility of the
Media Arts Department, Brooklyn Long Island University
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Master of Arts

April 17, 2009

Theory Paper Advisor



Graduate Program Coordinator




Dedication Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION PAGE I

LIST OF ARTWORK ii

I. INTRODUCTION 1
Origins of Art 1
Origins of Digital Art 3
The Evolution of the Digital Paint System 4

II. DEFINITIONS 6
What is a Computer 6
What is a Stylus? 7
What is a Graphic Tablet? 7
What is Digital Painting? 7
What is a Pixel? 8

III. ANALYSIS OF ARTIST WORK OF ART 9

IV. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USINGA, COMPUTER,
A TABLET, AND A STYLUS TO CREATE WORKS OF ART 16

V. CONCLUSION 17

BIBLIOGRAPHY 18

LIST OF ARTWORK

1. Analog Computer
2. Digital Computer
3. A Stylus
4. A Wacom Tablet
5. Cynthia Beth Rubin, Another Place Another Time (1991)
6. Cynthia Beth Rubin, Orchard Street Synagogue
7. James F. Walker, Pigeons, Kyoto (2002) Giclee IRIS print 29” x 43”
8. James F. Walker, For the Bees, Night (2004) 20” x 27” archival inkjet print.
9. Joan Truckenbrod, Lyric Catalyst (1975)
10. Joan Truckenbrod, Mother/Daughter (1984)
11. Joan Truckenbrod, Harmonic Deflection. (1991)
12. Joan Truckenbrod, Womb Clothes, Limited Edition IRIS Print, (1994) 32”H x 36”W

II. INTRODUCTION
Revolutions come in many varieties. Some tear down established notions destructively while others consist of forging new paradigms through constructive means such as an ideological or technological innovation that fundamentally alters an individual or group’s creative path. But all have their place in history.
This paper charts a course of change in art and art styles. It follows the meandering path that has been influenced by technological advances that have in turn...