A firm believer in the versatility of Adobe Photoshop since setting out on my foray into graphic design, it continues to be my primary design tool despite the existence of other platforms better equipped for some of the tasks I carry out in the creative process. But I remain devout, and my faith has been further reinforced by Argentinian illustrator and film producer Nico Di Mattia. Mattia gained mass recognition as an Internet artist via his use of the software for an impressive show of time-lapse digital painting dubbed ‘speed painting’. Done with a digital tablet in what appears to be PSCS2, Di Mattia filmed the above while painting the image of solo artist/Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. The technique and level of accuracy as demonstrated in the medium that Mattia provides is very enjoyable to watch for those familiar with the interface; equally so, Photoshop beginners can view it as a tutorial of sorts. The rendering of the portrait–cutting four hours of real time down to a mere seven minutes–is further intensified in the filming process by its synchrony with the selected Radiohead soundtrack (‘Street Spirit [Fade Out]’, ‘Karma Police’).
And as Yorke’s The Eraser EP was released just last month featuring remixes by three other favourite artists, there’s reason to pay tribute here.
Sarah Badr © MMVIII
See also: Speed painting of Scarlett Johansson
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