You may know of the traditional art media like watercolours or oils, and now you are curious, What is the difference between digital and traditional artwork?
You might have searched Google before but have been overwhelmed with information they assume is true or think you’ve already heard.
How to do Digital art? How to do digital art with a low budget? Is it possible to become a digital artist?
You might have thought, “I realize I’m unsure if I should go with digital paints”.
Wait! This article is the perfect guide to digital painting and provides a great starting place for learning digital art with explanations. So, don’t look any further and read till the very end.
The first and most basic question,
What is digital art?
Digital Art has been around since the 1950s in a sense, but not many museums and galleries have been focusing on it as a serious subject matter. Digital art refers to creating or utilizing artistic mediums using digital technologies. All this can be anything from photo manipulation to 3D digital sculptures.
Some of the earliest digital art examples were created by John Whitney in the 60s using simple computer-generating pictures of pixels. These pictures included spirals. Although, it is still long after Whitney conceived the spiral of images in pixels. The watercolour artist can scan paintings done in Photoshop and use that image editing program to edit the paintings digitally.
Digital paintings
By Natalie Lavrinenko/ Pixabay
copyrights 2021
Digital painting is a new technique allowing people to create beautiful work without using paint or ink. It still possesses the same skills as traditional painting but is also simpler. Digital canvas can also be painted directly into a computer and has many excellent benefits.
“There are three responses to a piece of design- yes, no and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.”
–Milton Glaser
How to do Digital art as a beginner?
Digital art has become increasingly popular. It can be explained why the media is such a popular product.
To create digital art, the user will need:
- An Internet Connection.
- A Hardware device.
- A Software that allows digital art.
Digital artists often face a challenge when drawing their first project as many different drawing software tools and techniques are available to help you start drawing. A simple list can help decide which equipment and software to start digital drawing.
How to do Digital art: Choosing the right accessories
Once you’ve decided how to use a computer for a project, you should look into a graphics device. The graphic tablet comes in many forms and colours. Though it is mainly grouped into two categories, pens and displays.
Pens and tablets are two component input devices that contain a digitizer and a stylus. This connection can be made via USB if the phone is not connected via Bluetooth or Bluetooth. Batteries can power a stylus if it does not use batteries.
How to do digital art: The Hardware
By fancycrave1/ Pixabay
Copyrights 2015
The best hardware for digital painting is necessary for you. This can be divided into seven categories, namely:
- Pen Tablets
- Graphics Tablets
- All in one Tablet
- Display Tablets
- Graphical Display
- Smartphones
- And getting a stylus.
1. Pen Tablets
If you want to start cheap, a Pen tablet isn’t a bad place to start.
- Huyen 420
- Entry level Intuos Tablets XP
- XP Pen Deco Pro
- Huyen HS 610
These little flat drawing tablets don’t have screens; they come with a pen and are plugged into your computer. Draw on the tablet with your XP pen, and a line of art appears on the computer’s screen in front of you.
They come in all shapes, sizes, prize points, and quality levels. However, the drawback is that they don’t work without a computer.
2. Graphics Tablet
Generally, graphics tablets are attached to a computer or laptop. It is possible to draw directly from the screen using a special stylus (sometimes variants need a charge while some do not). If you place your mouse in the top left corner of the screen, then the keyboard should appear above the cursor in the bottom left corner. The surface will reflect your screen.
The most common are two pieces: a touch screen pad and a stylus. Because the tablets don’t have screens, you must use the laptop or cellular device that is being connected.
Wacom graphic tablets are considered the industry standard, but if you start working digitally, it is advisable to use low-priced graphic tablets. They will be very effective. It is fairly inexpensive, and you can buy an excellent tablet from $50 to $150.
3. All-in-one Tablets
An iPhone or iPad Pro, a Surface Pro tablet, and a drawing tablet. Whether you own a tablet, you can create digital art with a stylus. Many drawing apps exist that can also be used free of charge.
It is portable – you can carry it everywhere, making it very easy to travel anywhere on one tablet. You can drink on the train or enjoy coffee at a café.
Yes! one can draw using the fingers, but it is uncomfortable and will not feel intuitive enough.
Pro-tip:
You’ll want an apple iPad with a drawing area of about 6′′x3.7”. This will help make a flowing and dynamic stroke.
Pro and Cons:
They include the popular tablet iPad Pro and Surface Pro. This makes it easy to connect a tablet or a computer without any extra hardware – this combines a drawing tablet and a computer, two-in-one.
Important: The stylus should have pressure sensing if we use the iOS iPad. It features pressure sensing but only supports iOS Pros if you use a regular iPad. It’s not cheap, it’s not free, and there are very limited choices of applications available.
4. Display Tablets
Have some money left in your pocket? Think about buying iMac tablets! The display tablet functions as a graphic tablet but has an embedded monitor. You can draw directly on a computer which is easier to understand and easier for people familiar with drawing.
5. Graphical display
An interactive display may be an alternative option if you have digital artwork on the computer. It’s cheaper to buy them than to use tablets on a computer screen. Then you will draw and paint directly on your screen. It might be easier.
Parallax is a phenomenon that occurs when an object looks at the same angle and direction from different directions. (Wikipedia)
6. Smartphones
Eventually, you can begin drawing digital art from your mobile phones/Android devices. It’s a little too big for ios phones, so it’s harder for you to get it. You may want to download the Procreate pocket app to experience making digital art if you have an iPhone. You may even need an instrument that can simplify the drawing process.
7. Getting a stylus
If your artwork is done on a drawing tablet, it may require a stylus. Apple Pencil, Adonit Mark Stylus, Wacom Pro Pen, and MEKO Active Digital Stylus Pen are some great suggestions for beginners.
The stylus should also be checked to see its pressure sensitivity, as a stylus with more layers of pressure sensitivity gives a much more natural feel. Always check the compatibility between the stylus and your drawing tablets before purchasing.
Please note-
- Wacom Bamboo Tip is compatible with some Android smartphones and does not provide pressure sensitivity.
- Apple Pencil is compatible with iPad 3.1 and later models of the iPad.
“Within the digital creative matrix is a human consciousness that must utilize the traditional processes of understanding line, color theory and subject matter- it’s linear function is the same by definition as traditional processes and must be judged and valued accordingly.”
–Steve Danzig
How to do digital art – Digital Painting Software
By Gerd Altmann/ Pixabay
Copyrights 2015
Now you have a new graphics tablet and your computer, and you don’t want to use a pen or too many brushes and paper to compose a rough sketch. You must find a drawing app adapted to create art.
When you start painting digitally, you’ll need some software for it. Software for digital drawing can cost anywhere from 100% free to extremely costly. If someone has an idea for making digital art, they’ll probably start with free software and see what they like.
Although most users are likely to gravitate to Adobe’s Creative Cloud applications immediately, there are numerous tools and programs available for digital art that can be easily adapted to your needs.
Many artists’ choice of art software depends primarily upon the hardware. Procreate, for example, is limited to iPads, and Photoshop runs primarily on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.
Paid software and apps
Next is the list of digital painting apps that require paying. This software is either very cheap or extremely expensive!
Spending a great deal on a free trial is unnecessary: Before you purchase expensive digital art programs, you have to check whether the demos can be downloaded. It also allows you to see what’s good for you and buy.
1. Adobe Photoshop and Fresco app ($9.99/ Month)
Adobe Photoshop is widely used in design by professional artists with lots of features. It is very powerful and one of the most advanced paint programs.
You don’t want subscriptions, especially on the Fresco app. The price is $9.99 a month, and the additional cost will be $9.99 for each new product purchase.
A downside for Photoshop (and Fresco for the iPad) is the cost structure, and it is very confusing, which makes the application a little more difficult to use for beginners. But, as it has become a standard, you can learn about it anywhere. Some many great tutorials and articles that explain it’s working.
Surely your mind is spinning with everything mentioned here, but you have an intelligent choice in getting into digital painting.
2. Procreate ($9.99/ Month)
Procreate has taken the art world by storm in recent years. It is lightweight and simple to use, and although it lacks Photoshop’s functionality, it’s always updated.
For just $99 (a once-a-year payment), you can access the Procreate app for iPhones or iPad Pocket computers for $3.95.
The payment process is easy; you get every new update in the future. Procreate’s developers add new features every time it’s updated, making this a pretty awesome creative software program. It has great advantages as it is very beginner-friendly, so you can easily create great digital art!
Unfortunately, this is currently not available to iOS users.
3. Corel Painter ($360) and Corel Painter Essentials ($32)
It’s a fantastic software for Windows and Mac that allows you to feel like a professional artist’s work is being done. It mimics real paintings and pencils in many ways. Corel Painter Essentials has been stripped down and costs much less than its predecessors!
4. Clip Studio Paint Pro ($60)
It’s an excellent digital artist program. It includes many different customizable brush tools and an amazing AI colouring feature.
5. Free software and apps
There are several free online paintings available on the internet. Maybe you’re looking to see new programs before shopping for more costly programs or subscriptions.
6. Autodesk Sketchbook
One of the free applications is Autodesk’s Sketchbooks. A version is downloadable for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS phones. It has a clean and simplified interface that is easy to understand and can be used without having to use everything.
7. Medibang Paint Pro
It’s a free digital art program useful to manga and comic artists. The software Media Bang Paint Pro makes it easier to create comic panels. This program also works on Android, iPhone, and iPad! It is free to download.
8. Krita
Krita is the free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Certainly, the program is good enough for launching when you have little money. It may be necessary to upgrade to Adobe Photoshop to get better skills as you work on your projects.
Protip: The choice is largely dependent upon personal preference. With enough experience, you can make professional quality art on any software.
Once you learn much about digital drawing, you can excel in your career. Creating an idea is very easy. Ideally, try and obtain a complete picture of the anatomical and functional anatomy of the subject. This should be done even if it’s not possible to use scanners.
“The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it, so it’s part of everyday life”
–Bill Gates
How to do digital art: Understanding your tools & software
Understanding the software interface and how the tool works is very important. This can be easily found on traditional media platforms like Youtube and Pinterest.
For example-
- Keyboard shortcuts- You’d have to use shortcut keys to improve productivity when you select the brush tool (shortcut: B).
- Canvas and documents- Digital paintings start by creating a new document. The most crucial options you must remember are File > New documents.
“Even in literature and art, no man bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if uou simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”
–C.S. Lewis
How to do Digital art: Tips for beginners
By Camila Denleschi/ Pixabay
Copyrights 2019
- Watch time-lapses, speed paintings, and real-time paintings
- Investigate high-resolution digital paintings.
- Learn colour- and value theories.
If you went to art school for a class like that, it would cost you thousands. So, it is possible if you’re driven enough, and you don’t need direct feedback from professors to buy online courses and take college-level courses, basically at home and teach yourself.
How to do Digital art: Youtube Video tutorials
Pray and practice! Look at other artists to see the ways they work to create their artwork. Maybe you can find some interesting things along this journey. Remember that drawing online offers many options to do it most accurately. Test and discover what styles and techniques you’re looking for.
There are many great tutorials on Youtube as well as some paid resources out there for your help.
So if you’re wondering, Where should I go next?
Here are some videos that we have personally summoned up so you can learn some more details-
- How to do digital art (Procreate art tutorial).
- How to do Digital art (Krita art tutorial).
- How to do Digital art (drawing faces).
- How to do Digital art (tips for beginners).
- How to do Digital art (Color theory for beginners).
- How to do digital art (Find your art style).
Are you overwhelmed? Here’s what is recommended the most.
It is easy for people to get confused by the range and find pitfalls regarding a suitable solution to the problem. Please do not overcomplicate. The tools do not create artistry, and you will not notice a big difference between a beginner and a professional iPad.
Let it begin! The Wacom Intuos tablet is inexpensive, highly durable, and still used today. Add Adobe Photoshop and Krita for a budget so you can get started with this one.
There’s a reason you’ve gotten into digital art that you are interested in this. Maybe you want to illustrate your own stories, and maybe you want to create your characters, or maybe you want to add some flair to your design work, or something like that; there is a reason.
So, draw what you love and make sure there is some passion behind it because there you’re going to continue to learn, and you’re going to continue to drive yourself forward.
The second thing is that with lessons find things you’re not good at, like realistic faces, backgrounds, or hands, but go out and find tutorials on how to do those things and mix that in with your passionate work.
What you want to do is “do what you love” while also growing at the same time. If you do the thing you enjoy doing, you will find yourself drawing symbols repeatedly, not learning something new.
But often, if you find something, dive in and try to teach yourself something new every time the same thing happens, it gets stale, and you lose interest.
You have to find that balance if you’re starting. Do what you love but also put little lessons where you could learn new things. You will start to see your work incrementally improve. So, that is what you’ll find looking back 4-5 months later.
It takes patience and time, but it’s worth it; keep it up!
“The object of Art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity”
–Alberto Giacometti
By Luciana Vieira Lu/ Pixabay
Copyrights 2017
How to do Digital art: FAQs
How do I get good devices for digital art?
How to do Digital art with cheap and quality-level devices? Let’s start the process of creating digital artwork. Digital artists don’t have to pay a lot of money, but luckily they use all that equipment! We always suggest reading product reviews for a good decision. Aside from the price, this article indicates and enables you to find exactly what you’re getting for the same product.
Is it easy to draw digital art?
It’s much easier to create digital art by sketching, colouring, shading, layering, and other painting techniques. Editing tools that can undo and undo the settings can apply the layer in a sequence. Starting might be a bit difficult, but it comes naturally to you once you get the hang of it.
What kind of hardware do I need to start digital art?
Digital painting has its limits. There’s absolutely a possibility to illustrate using a mobile computer or an affordable laptop. The possibilities are endless if you want to produce a work for small, real-life use, such as stickers. Even the cheapest laptops will work if the minimum system specs are met with creative digital art software.
What digital art software can I use?
It is worthwhile to consider other less expensive drawing software but not entirely free. Applications such as Krita Fire Alpaca and Clip Studio Paint are significantly better accessible than Corel or Adobe products. It is sometimes better due to strong community building, custom actions, or brushing techniques.
Thank you for reading. We hope this article on “How to do digital art” was somewhat helpful to you!
Check out our other article on- What is digital media? 6 Major Advantages and Disadvantages.
Last Updated on by Asoni18
