What Is “Vector Art”?
This question is one I’m regularly asked whenever I mention that my favorite and main domain of digital art revolves around the use of vectors. In fact, a more appropriate name for this way of working would probably be “vector-based art”; indeed, vector art in itself is a technique, and a style—much like oil painting is a medium, and not what defines the painter’s style. Many vector artists manage to develop their own unique styles, and the use of vector software doesn’t change anything to this fact.
What I’m going to call “vector art” for short is a branch of digital art—same here: a technique, not a style—that, instead of being based on pixels containing RGB or CMYK color data (these are raster images), makes use of mathematical elements called “vectors”. The simplest application of a vector is the straight line, going from point A to point B; the line itself is traditionally called a path. More points can be added to paths, which themselves can be modified to create curves and geometrical shapes.
Vector elements are defined as solid and scaleable objects. Contrary to raster images, which quality drops with resizing and changes in definition, vectors are recomputed every time, and can thus be resized as often as needed without any loss of quality. The term of “definition” also doesn’t apply to a vector file, unless it is saved as a raster image, of course; therefore, you will find vector software often used in the composition of logos, since these need to be made available in different sizes. Because these files are based on mathematical operations, their size is also quite small compared to other images. In the case of a square, for instance, the stored information only includes the coordinates of its four vertexes; if this file was a raster image, the information would be the position and color code of each pixel composing it.
Among the most known software that focus on this technique are Illustrator, Freehand and CorelDRAW, but also Flash, which animations are based on the use of vectors for size and scalability purposes. Be aware, though, that certain programs also overlap, such as photoshop including vector tools, or Illustrator offering raster tools. However, this doesn’t change the purpose of each of these programs.
definition | technique | vector art
Read part 2: What Vector Art Isn’t
November 26th, 2005 at 6:13 pm
Ah, that’s what vector art is? It’s a bit like Adobe does to mimic typefaces (fonts) that aren’t embedded in a PDF document. Am I right?
I really like your pics, BTW.
November 26th, 2005 at 7:01 pm
That’s the way typeface is handled, indeed. Anyway, one of the conventions in graphic-design is to vectorize text on documents once they’re finished, to make sure you don’t get any nasty surprises at the other end of the chain because the font you’ve used isn’t available (I swear, this seems to always happen; even when you provide the font, there’s regularly problems).
And thanks, both about the pics and for being my first commenter here.
November 27th, 2005 at 3:20 am
Cool blog. This is beautiful work. I don’t remember if I commented when you mentioned this on Y Logs, but I thought it was a great idea. I have a ton of questions. I hope you don’t mind.
I would love to read about how you create some of these. What’s the first thing you do with an idea? Open CorelDRAW? Do you start with a sketch? Do you draw curves and shapes and then adjust them until perfect? Are there pieces you re-use? Do you fill shapes first, or do you draw the lines and polygons, and then fill in solids, gradients, etc? How long does it take you to complete a work, say one of the “Elements” ones?
Is there a story behind the Japanese themes on a couple of them? Are Hokusai and Hiroshige major vector art influencers?
November 27th, 2005 at 12:48 pm
The first thing I do with an idea… First I mull over it, to make sure I can visualize it properly in my mind.
The next phase is to sketch it on paper, because I need to have a global view of it—I can’t compose by adding little bits here and there, I need to be able to see the global picture (no pun intended) whenever I want. Once I’m satisfied with the sketch, I fire off Illustrator and import it in as a locked model that I place under my work layers.
After this, it pretty much depends on the subject itself. I tend to draw paths first and fill them once the shapes are completed (else the selected color starts to fill them and hides the sketch behind, which is annoying); I’ll adjust them later if needed by moving the anchor points, but with practice and a sketch underneath, normally I don’t have to do that very often.
Completing a piece, now this is another story. The “Elements” are somewhat of a particular case, since I worked on them when I had back problems and cound’t keep sitting for long in a row, which makes it hard for me to estimate the time needed. In general, if I focus really well on a piece, it can be a matter of 4 to 20 hours, depending on the level of detailing (sketching and planning not included). It took me longer in the beginning, though, when I was still knew at it and didn’t know the software well.
As for the Japanese themes, I don’t think it’s a specific influence on vector-based art as a whole (what I’ve seen often referenced to, on the other hand, is Art Nouveau; vector works quite well with this style). However, it’s true that I’m interested in it on a personal level, hence why it appears regularly in my works.
November 27th, 2005 at 2:44 pm
I draw and paint, but I’ve never gotten into vector drawing on the artistic side. Now that I see the process, I want to. (On the technical side, I worked on the development of a PDF viewer in Java 1.1 a couple years ago, and so I had to understand the drawing operations underneath). I see all this great vector art out there, but I always thought you started with a blank form, and then sort of sketched in lines and points. That seemed way too difficult to learn, and so I never tried it. What you describe is a process where you draw the picture first (on a pad or tablet, or on paper and then scan it in) and use that as a template. That’s the coolest thing. I have to try it.
November 27th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
Some artists start with a blank canvas, so to say, but myself, I consider this is really a matter of personal technique. I’d sketch a basis for an oil painting as well, before taking my brushes and color tubes, and it goes the same way with digital art, inwhich I sketch first, then scan and import. If this is what works for you, by all means, don’t hesitate; I didn’t think at first I’d like working with vector software, but after having taken the dive, I sure wouldn’t want to go back.
January 17th, 2006 at 12:46 am
Hello Chris and Yzabel, I agree this is a cool blog. I just joined in today. I hope to see it pick up speed. Even though vector art has been around close to twenty years it is still in the embrionic stage. There is a lot to discover. But, one thing the the geeks will never replace is the pencil. I usually start with a sketch too. Good idea Yzabel.
January 17th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Hello John, and welcome here! I too hope I can make it pick up speed, now that I know where I’m going with it. There is indeed much to say about vector art, and many opportunities for development; it would be a shame to not contribute to this discovery.
January 18th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Thanks, let me know how I can contribute. I have been working with vector programs since the mid eighties. Aldus Freehand was my first. It was the equivalent to playing pong. Now I use Illustrator and Corel Draw. Both have pro’s and con’s. Corel just released CorelDraw X3 Graphics Suite this morning. I won’t be able to resist for too long. I have been checking out some of the art from artist linked to this blog. Nice stuff.
January 20th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Well, I’m always open to suggestions regarding artists to discover and present on this blog, so if there are any you’d like me to write about someday (whether they’re known or ‘only amateur’, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Hello Yzabel, did the well go dry? I haven’t seen any new talent on your blog for a while. What’s up with that? Maybe it’s time to show your stuff. (vector art) I would be interested in what your working on. Known or amateur, your words. You are welcome to show my stuff on your blog. I’m not as creative as some of the new talent you have showcased, but I do know how to make a living at this. Hope to see your stuff soon.
April 5th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
I read you page and I love it. I actually was in a forum and followed a link to your site! Must be popular. The last comment/post is right on. Good job!
October 20th, 2006 at 2:24 am
My professor bugged me asking for evidences why vector graphics is considered art. haha good that I saw this site.