The iPad is still only a few months old, and with each wave of new apps, we get a better inclination of how much this little contraption can do. Simultaneously, we see more real world applications of iPad in the lives of artists, musicians, and writers. Each time, I’m more amazed at what the creative genre produces. Today seemed like a good day to reflect on iPad art over the last 3 months, so here are our highlights and an exciting glimpse into the future.
The Past: The First Proof that iPad is Meant for Art
Back on April 18th, we reviewed LiveSketch HD, an amazing little sketch app. For me personally, it was the first sign that the iPad was going to be a mobile artist’s new BFF.
Starting day one, we also saw an explosion of professional and hobbyist artists pumping out amazing digital iPad art. Early Adopters rule!
Smoke’M by suzi54241 (View more by suzi54241)
Fresh Fruit iPad Painting by Corliss Blakely created with ArtStudio (View more by Corliss Blakely)
The Present: Jaw-Dropping Art Keeps on Coming
Last week, art teacher/genius David Jon Kassan painted a portrait with his iPad. In fact, he streamed the whole “fingerpainting demo” live from his studio. The resulting compilation has been featured in news publications around the world, and has launched Kassan to YouTube fame. After watching the video you’ll probably agree with me that Kassan’s definition of finger-painting puts the rest of the world to shame. (Click here to buy Brushes, the app that David Kassan used for his portrait.)
The Future: Pressure Sensitivity for iPad
Now, let’s see a preview of what may be in store. Many iPhone/iPad owners will recognize Ten One Design as a leader of the iDevice stylus pens. Well they’ve come up with a way to address the biggest complaint from mobile artists and iPad naysayers alike – pressure sensitivity. Oh yes, you heard me. Can I get an amen? Granted, this is only a technical demonstration (and they admit to a few delay problems in their demo software) but imagine this capability in the hands of David Kassan, for example.
Unfortunately, the only way we’ll ever enjoy this technology is if Apple gets on board. It will require an update to the UIKit framework for a private function that enables the pressure sensitivity. Ten One faces an uphill battle with that, but I think all app developers should take a vested interest in this cause. Why? Ten One says they’ll release it as a free software library so any app can incorporate it. If you’re Ten One Design, obviously that’s a huge potential market. But same for the app developers who incorporate the pressure sensitivity into their apps.
In the meantime, will it become available for jailbroken iPads? It sounds like delicate territory for now while they go through the right channels, so we’ll have to wait and see. There’s no reason to wait to enjoy their Pogo Stylus pen, though! They’ve released a Particle case / stylus pen combo ($34.95) that looks really promising.
What Else is Coming?
It’s hard to say for sure. We’ll post updates and ideas via Twitter and here, of course. Do drop us a line if you find something we should see!
