Artist

This was something I was brooding over for some time now. But I have taken more than a few steps towards becoming the ultimate Open Source artist.

Please note that the stress here is on Open Source and to be an ultimate artist, the only way is by practice.

Here is the setup of the ultimate Open Source artist.

Hardware

• A PC with as much number crunching power and as much memory you can afford. Note that though the choice of most artists is Mac, I do not know if we can go an Open Source approach with it.
• A Tablet – Wacom or other but it helps in focusing more on the art and less on how you are going to do what is in your head. The argument of the necessity of a tablet and stylus can go quite long – so I would say that do consider buying a tablet if you can afford it.

Software

• OS – Ubuntu Feisty Fawn. You may choose other distribution, but this one is my personal choice.
• GIMP – This usually is packaged with the Linux, but ensure that you got the latest version.
• Inkscape – GIMP+Inkscape forms a good combination that forms a considerable combo against Photoshop.
• Scribus – This is a software that is usually meant for layout designing, but sometimes a artist is called upon to work on it. If nothing else, it would let you make cool looking portfolios of your digital artworks.

That is about it, and you are all set on the path to become the ultimate Open Source artist.

If you have bought a tablet and stylus, then you might want to ensure that you are able to configure its pressure sensitivy. It requires proper installation of the drivers and setting up of the configurations in the GIMP and Inkscape preferences. There is no much point in having a tablet if you are not going to harness the pressure sensitivity.

Actually, throw the pirated Photoshop out, and download GIMP.

Here are some reasons why you should and can do it.

Using pirated software is illegal. That is right – it is not legitimate to use pirated software. Be it Adobe Photoshop, or anything else. It is legal to use GIMP, and produce artworks (even for commercial purposes). GIMP is an Open Source software.

It is unethical to use pirated software. Yes, I put this separately. Some times, things may be with in the law, but still be immoral. This is a case where it is illegitimate and unethical to use pirated software. You may justify saying that you are not using it to sell your works. You are not making money out of it. But, the use for hobby purposes does not justify piracy. If you are using it just for hobby, then it does not need to be Photoshop. There is GIMP. There are other softwares out there which you can download and use.

Features of GIMP is a standard of its own. Many who want to switch to GIMP have the complaint that the user interface of GIMP is hard to use. It actually is not hard to use. It is just different. It would be wrong to expect it to have a user interface of Photoshop. Just use it and you will learn. A human brain is designed to learn.

Adobe Photoshop is a good software – there is no question about it. But it is costly, and it is justified to use it provided you pay for it, or the company that hired you pays for it. If you are a professional who has income based on the work done on the image editor, then it makes sense to buy it.

But if you are just a hobbyist, and it provides no revenue for you – then you might as well use GIMP or one of the other Open Source editors. It is illegal and immoral to use a pirated version of any software.