ArtRage is a stylish, intuitive painting and drawing package that makes it easy to produce natural looking artwork on your computer. Its wide range of artistic tools lets you get right down to the creative process without forcing you to learn complex or technical controls.
Type of Material:
iPad app (an app called ArtRage for iPhone is also available)
Recommended Uses:
This app works well for novice and experienced artists who like to do field sketching and painting. Since the tools mimic their traditional counterparts, educators can demonstrate a wide range of painting techniques and approaches. Paintings can be duplicated for trying multiple techniques.
This app is like having a painting studio with you. Demonstrations, art assignments, and preliminary sketches and paintings can all be accomplished with this app.
Technical Requirements:
Requires iOS 4.3 or later. Compatible with iPad. Create paintings up to 1440 x1440 on iPad 1, 2048 x2048 on iPad 2 or later. Uses iTunes shared file space so you can share files with your desktop computer. Export jpg or png by email or export to your Photo App. Upload directly to Facebook or deviantArt. Import photos to a new file or layer with camera support.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Explore a packed toolbox natural painting tools like oils and watercolors. Experiment with color blending and textures on a realistic canvas.
Target Student Population:
Art educators and artists; Junior High students through adult users
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Having background knowledge on how different art media helps in knowing what to expect from the tools in this app, although it is not required.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This app has taken the best features from its software version and presented them in a clean and efficient iPad presentation. I recommend this one for middle school students through adults. This app mimics what the art materials do in real life—watercolors bleed, chalk smears, oils are thick and can be blended with a palette knife. You are able to control and adjust the amount or thickness of the tools you are using. The color palette is extensive and offers an option for metallic colors. You can import images and draw directly on them or use a tracing feature to create your own work from the imported image. Layers are available. You are able to customize and preset tools for storing your favorites within the app. There is unlimited undo or redo.
Concerns:
None.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The main features of ArtRage include oils, watercolors, brayers, pencils, crayons, fine tip pen, and more. Each of these tools has adjustable settings. Tools apply texture as well as color, and blend under the brush and palette knife. You can add layers to your painting to work on individual elements. You can import photos to work directly on them or as use them as reference images. You can load photos as tracing images.
I have used the computer software version of ArtRage for years with student teachers and teachers. With this app I can record the steps of a drawing or painting done in the field with the iPad, export a recorded script of my artwork via email or iTunes, and play it back on ArtRage Studio or ArtRage Studio Pro on my computer’s larger screen. This allows me to continue working on the image and increase the resolution, if I wish. The ArtRage app has built-in information and quickstart tips for using its tools. Furthermore, there are online support and forums for users.
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The design of this app is clean and intuitive. Choose a tool. Then, if you wish, you can change the settings of that tool. There is a Quick Reference and Guide built into the app the covers the basics. Free product support is available Ambient Design's forums or by emailing the support team. ArtRage communities are found on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and Ambient Design Forums.
Concerns:
None.
Creative Commons:
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