Reader Collection > Exhibitions > Japanese Bird Art, 1950 to present day Part 5 Digital prints by 5 artists

Introduction

The digital print is the latest form of printmaking used by Japanese artists to make bird art. To make a digital print the picture’s design is first created using a drawing program written for the digital computer (e.g., Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator). This design is then sent electronically to a mechanical printing device which makes the print by adding ink to paper. To date fewer than ten Japanese artists have made digital bird prints. This number will undoubtedly increase in the near future when today’s computer-literate art students begin to earn a living with their art. Five of the artists who currently make digital bird prints are represented in the Reader Collection of Japanese Art. An example of each artist’s work is included in this virtual exhibition. The five artists’ drawing styles range from objective (i.e., objects drawn with accurate shape and color) through semi-objective (i.e., semi-accurate shape and [or] color) to subjective (i.e., intentionally inaccurate shape and color). Their prints are arranged in this order below. For each print the names of the bird depicted and the artist are given along with the print’s title (if any) and size.

1   Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) by Masahiro Tabuki, entitled gentle breeze, 305 x 480 mm

2   Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) by Fumiaki Mutō, entitled pine and green pheasant, 420 x 570 mm

3   Little egret (Egretta garzetta) by Hiromitsu Sakai, 295 x 425 mm

4   Japanese bush-warbler (Cettia diphone) by Ryūji Kawano, 300 x 420 mm

5   Domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) by Masahiko Saga, 300 x 420 mm

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