Drawing techniques: digital technology

Pedro Meyer (b.1935) The Strolling Saint 1993 Iris ink-jet print

Computer technology has been used by artists since the late 20th century and many artists now use computers as part of their working process.

The public and critics have sometimes looked on the use of computers in art with suspicion. However, the computer is now frequently used by artists as a tool. It can speed up the working process, or do something more accurately or neatly than can be done by hand.

Drawings, photographs and video pictures can be digitised and then manipulated by computer, allowing selective alterations of perspective, tone and colour, and the cutting and pasting of elements from one image into another.

For most artists the computer can assist but not completely replace skilled technique in the production process. They have learnt to utilise computer technology as one of the techniques at their disposal, and it has pushed out the boundaries of what it is possible for them to create. Artists still believe that powerful ideas are an essential part of each work of art.

City, Elizabeth Kent, 2001, Video installation, Copyright Elizabeth Kent

Catherine Yass (b. 1963) Invisible City: north-west D6 2001 Digital ink-jet print