The Tribune

Vexel art requires an in-depth assessment, especially on how to create it and why it is not vector art.

There are many misconceptions about vexel art, which is due to it being relatively new in its definition in comparison to other digital art forms. Due to these misconceptions, the idea has evolved that vexel art is a detailed representation of a photograph in vector. Well, this is incorrect. But to first understand what vexel art is, you need to know about raster and vector art.

What is Raster?

When we talk about raster art, we are talking about art which is based in pixels. A pixel is a ‘single square’ that can make up a larger, raster-based image. Our screens are made up of pixels, and different colours make up what we view on our monitors.

Moreover, increasing the size of raster images will result in the image being blurry and often pixelated (this refers to an image looking blocky).

What is Vector?

Vector is made up of points. These points connect to each other to create a line (or a path, as it is often referred to), and a group of points will create a shape or object.

Consider this: When you resize a vector image, you are telling your vector program that you want to increase the distance between the points. There is no loss in quality.

So, What is Vexel Art?

Vexel art is the layering of shapes and lines that are raster based. It is often confused with vector art because it takes on the appearance of the common look of layered shapes. Nonetheless, if you resize vexel art, due to it being created on raster layers it is not scalable, and therefore loses its quality and blurs/pixelates.

As it takes on the look of vector art, you can do it in vexel if it is possible in vector. For instance, creating line art using strokes rather than creating shapes. Using gradients is another, and using seamless patterns which contain shape. This is not to be confused with using a seamless texture.

However, the only thing which is not viewed as vexel is recreating gradient meshes. This would be more of an airbrushed effect, and is not the layering of raster shapes.

Notably, the key thing to remember is that vexel is the layering of raster shapes. It is not vector; it just looks like it, as I have explained.

How Vexel Art Originated

Many people were creating vexel art under the impression they were creating vector art. For example, they used layered shapes using the Pen Tool or Lasso selection, and then the fill tool on raster layers in raster-based programs, such as Paint shop Pro, and thought they were creating vector art. After all, it looked very similar.

Since there was much debate about what exactly vector art was, people began to realise they were not creating the art they thought they were. Being under the impression that you are working to create one thing, only to be told you are not, led to the need to label the digital art that was being made.

Some of the misconceptions resulted when young artists used stock images without adding additional elements in their pieces. They effectively posturised the image and then traced the shapes, creating duplicated, stylised versions of the stock image. As this art was associated with the term vexel, the misconception began.

What Vexel Art is Not

‘Vexelling’ is the layering of raster shapes. Based on this, we can confidently say that vexel is not vector. It may look like vector, but it is not made of vector. There is also a misconception that vexel art is combining a vector graphic with a raster overlay element, such as a texture. This would not be correct, as it would more likely be referred to as mixed media.

Many Photoshop users tend to think they create vexel art when they use the pen tool, but this is not correct either, so let me explain this further...

It is fair to say that when you use the Pen Tool in Illustrator (a vector program) you are producing a vector shape.... rasterised shapes!

So here is the million dollar question: Why create Vexel when you can create Vector? Why would you choose to create something which looks like vector, but is not? Well, there are a number of reasons. Some may prefer to use the Pen Tool in Photoshop, yet as they many vector shapes they will need to rasterize all of them.

This would mean the shapes in the source file (PSD, in this case) would be raster, making it vexel art. Another reason could be that the artist may be familiar with using an older program that automatically creates raster shapes from the Pen Tool, such as Paint shop Pro.

To this end, with a better understanding of what raster and vector are, you can gain a better understanding of what vexel art is. So, why is vexel art not vector? Because it is raster based.

For those who have skipped their way to the conclusion, vexel art is simply the layering of raster shapes, which mimics the appearance of vector art. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

• NB: The columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST: Deidre Marie Bastian is a professionally trained Graphic Designer/Marketing Coordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova South Eastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.