Tips for Transferring Your Artwork to a Computer
December 6, 2023
Category: Education
tips for transferring artwork to a computer
how to create something that’s 100% original? use your hands.
Unlocking true creativity requires going beyond the comfort of digital tools. I think often as designers, we rely on technology for every stroke and pixel, but there's something magical about the tactile act of creating with our hands. There are tons of awesome templates and design resources online nowadays which can be great to get your feet off the ground but if you’re looking to create something unlike anything done before, it’s essential to break free from conventional methods.
Sooooo how do I do that? By harnessing the authenticity of original artwork, experimenting with things like paint strokes or even clipping out pieces of scrap paper into artistic elements! While I’m sure I could get a similar effect in Illustrator or Procreate, I know that I’m incorporating something organic and totally original when I use my hands first.
Once I’ve achieved the look I’m after, the less exhilarating part is transferring my artwork to a computer. Let’s face it… this process can be time-consuming but the end result is so rewarding. it! Here are a few tried-and-true tips to make the transfer as seamless as possible.
tip 1 | You Don’t need a Fancy Scanner
Alright, this one might come as a total shocker but one of my biggest tips is that you don’t actually need a fancy scanner to transfer your artwork. In fact, your iPhone will do just fine. I used to use a professional, high-tech scanner but more often than not it would blow out the artwork. Plus, I’d end up losing all of those drool-worthy details and texture that made the work special and original in the first place! Now, I simply use the ‘scan’ feature in my notes app on my iPhone! I’ve also taken photos with my phone as well, but lately, I’m on the notes app scan kick. Both of these ways allow me to capture the essence of the art while still maintaining a high enough resolution for what I typically need.
tipi 2 | Natural light baby
Get that natural light! I’ll even go as far as waiting until a sunny day to make sure the colors of the art get picked up in the photo or on the scan. Overcast days can make the whites pretty gray which can make it harder to remove the background of the paper. I also have found the color is a lot more accurate when I’m not using overhead fluorescent light. I will actually turn OFF the lights and get next to a window to capture the art in the best lighting.
tip 3 | ai actually isn’t all that bad
I know everyone is hating on AI these days, but Photoshop makes this easy peasy now that AI has the ‘remove background’ feature. When possible, I’ll usually start there and then adjust as needed. I’ll also add a feather to the mask when removing the paper background! This allows for a smoother, more natural-looking edge as if I actually somehow hand-painted it on my computer. Another trick is playing around with ‘fx’ blending options to adjust the opacity of the ‘gray’ of the current layer.
tip 4 | color correct
Often when designing brands, I will want the colors to mimic the exact color codes we use within the client’s color palette (for obvious reasons). Typically I can’t get my paint, markers, or whatever other medium I’m using to be exact, so instead I’ll use the “color” mode to adjust the color of the artwork. I’ll take a swatch of the specific brand color and apply the layer as ‘color’ blending mode to get it to match perfectly.
