April 30, 2008

This is a departure for me, as I usually draw cartoons instead of resorting to any extensive use of Photoshop. Photoshop is the great equalizer for artists, being both a blessing and curse. Used properly, Photoshop can enhance a gifted artist's abilities. On the negative side, Photoshop expertise can put some people on the map, who would otherwise be doing something else for a living. Without naming names, there are some cartoonists earning a living today who would not be in the business without it. The scary part is how easy it is to fool people into thinking you are some graphic master, using Photoshop. Case in point: this was surprisingly easy to do with CS3 and I hate to say it -- anyone could do it in about 30 minutes, or less -- even the most visually ungifted. To put in in perspective, it would be like someone inventing software that enabled you to play guitar like Jimi hendrix, or play drums like John Bonham. It's great for all us wannabes; not so good for the truly gifted.