Temptation and Passion in Pete Tapang's Digital Paintings
In digital art, people who do not have any art education often succeed. Modern technologies allow those who have never held a brush and an easel in their hands to create. German artist and illustrator Pete Tapang is a good example of such a "nugget" who has reached heights in digital painting without the help of mentors.
Pete Tapang was born in 1980 in Frankfurt, Germany. He grew up in an ordinary German family that has nothing to do with art. Pete started drawing at school, while preferring to use ballpoint pens and pencils. Already in high school, the young man surprised everyone with his photorealistic works, which he created literally on his knee.
Tapang is self-taught, because all his art "universities" are drawing lessons at school. When Pete got a computer, he discovered graphic editors. The main tool of the artist was Photoshop, in which most of Tapang's works were created.
The main theme in the artist's work is the naked female body. When Pete is asked why he insists on drawing exclusively women, he answers:
Tapang does not adhere to a certain style and among his works there are paintings in such genres as hyperrealism, pinup and even surrealism. Before picking up a graphic tablet, Pete, in the old-fashioned way, creates pencil sketches that are so good that they can be called independent works.
Pete Tapang now lives and works in Ashburn, Virginia, USA. He collaborates with well-known publications, advertising studios and, sometimes, organizes solo exhibitions.
Another wonderful self-taught digital artist whose work is definitely worth getting to know is Irakli Nadar from Georgia. He also likes to portray women, but prefers to create photorealistic portraits.