Published in Proceedings of Digital Creativity Conference, Brighton University, ISBN 1-871966-72-8

Abstract
In the early days of computer graphics artists were forced to learn programming to use the new technology. Today there exists such a wide range of software packages running on affordable hardware, that one asks the question: why should an artist learn to programme? This question has been considered for many years of course, but even experienced artist/programmers are looking at the sophistication and affordability of current software and realising that much of their programming effort could be re-inventing the wheel. In this paper I look at the continuing rationale for learning to programme, by considering firstly the visual outcomes related to images generated by programming, secondly by looking at some practising artist/programmers, and thirdly by describing some Windows-based explorations.

3,000 words