Remember when making art meant paint-stained hands and stacks of sketchbooks? Today, creating art can be as simple as opening an app and picking up a stylus.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what is digital art, you’re not alone. It’s become a huge part of how artists create and share their work today, showing up everywhere from social media feeds to video games and movies.
So… What Exactly Is Digital Art?
It’s simple: digital art is anything created or edited using computers, tablets, or phones.
Could be a portrait in Procreate, a landscape in Photoshop, or a 3D character for a game. If tech was involved in making it, it counts as digital art.
The best part? The heart of art stays the same, it’s still about expressing yourself and telling stories. Just with cooler tools.
The Tools You Need– every digital artist needs a few essentials:
Hardware:
- Tablet or iPad (iPad Pro and Wacom tablets are popular)
- Stylus (your digital paintbrush)
- Computer or laptop (for bigger projects)
Software:
- Procreate (beginner-friendly, iPad only)
- Adobe Photoshop (the industry standard)
- Clip Studio Paint (great for comics)
- Blender or ZBrush (for 3D work)
Not sure which app is right for you? Our comprehensive guide to the best digital art apps compares all the top options for beginners.
Nice-to-Haves:
- Good monitor (for accurate colors)
- Reference apps (Pinterest, ArtStation)
Types of Digital Art
Digital art comes in tons of flavors:
- Digital Painting– Like traditional painting but with layers and an undo button.
- Illustration & Concept Art– Bringing characters and worlds to life for games and movies.
- 3D Art– Creating digital sculptures and models.
- Photo Manipulation– Mixing photography with digital editing for surreal visuals.
- Animation– Everything from Pixar films to YouTube intros.
- NFT Art– Blockchain-based digital pieces that artists can sell as unique works.
Want to turn your digital designs into physical products? Learn how to make stickers from your artwork.
Why It Matters? digital art is a big deal for several reasons:
- Accessible– No need for expensive supplies. A tablet or phone gets you started.
- Forgiving– Made a mistake? Undo it. Want to try different colors? Easy.
- Connected– Online communities like ArtStation and DeviantArt let artists learn from each other worldwide.
- Everywhere– It powers movies, games, ads, and pretty much every creative industry.
Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Starting digital art can feel overwhelming. Here are mistakes most beginners make, and how to skip them:
- Buying Expensive Gear First– You don’t need a $2,000 iPad Pro to start. Begin with what you have, even free apps on your phone work. Upgrade when you know what you need.
- Comparing Yourself to Pros- Instagram and TikTok are full of incredible artists. Remember: they’ve been practicing for years. Focus on your own progress, not theirs.
- Ignoring Fundamentals- Fancy brushes won’t fix weak fundamentals. Learn shapes, values, and composition before worrying about advanced techniques.
- Not Saving Backups- Digital files can corrupt or delete. Always save multiple versions and back up your work to the cloud.
- Giving Up Too Soon– Digital art has a learning curve. Your first pieces won’t look like your vision, and that’s normal. Keep going.
Finding Your Style
One question every digital artist asks: “How do I find my style?”
Study What You Love- Look at artists whose work resonates with you. What do you like about it? Colors? Line work? Composition? Notice patterns in what draws you in.
Copy (For Practice)- Copying other artists’ work, for practice only, never to sell or claim as yours, teaches you techniques. You’ll naturally blend what you learn into something uniquely yours.
Experiment Constantly- Try different brushes, color palettes, and subjects. The more you explore, the more you’ll discover what feels right.
Let It Evolve- Your style will change as you grow. That’s not only okay, it’s expected. Don’t force yourself into a box.
Technology isn’t replacing creativity, it’s amplifying it.
Ready to Start?
Here’s how to jump in:
1. Start small – Use what you have. You don’t need expensive equipment to begin. Free apps like Ibis Paint X or Krita work great for learning the basics. Even your phone works for practicing fundamentals.
2. Learn basics first – Focus on shapes, shading, and color. Master the foundations before jumping into complex illustrations. Understanding light, shadow, and color mixing will elevate everything you create. YouTube has endless beginner-friendly tutorials that break down these concepts step by step.
3. Practice daily – Even quick doodles count. Consistency beats perfection every time. Set aside 15-30 minutes each day to draw anything, a coffee cup, your pet, random shapes. Daily practice builds skills faster than occasional long sessions.
4. Study others – Follow artists you love and watch how they work. Find artists whose style resonates with you on Instagram, ArtStation, or TikTok. Watch their process videos and notice their techniques. You’re not copying—you’re learning.
5. Experiment freely – Try different brushes and styles. Play with watercolor brushes, try pixel art, test bold colors versus muted palettes. Your unique voice will emerge naturally through exploration, not by forcing it.
6. Share your progress. Join online art communities through Discord, Reddit, or Facebook groups. Sharing keeps you motivated, and feedback helps you improve faster.
Every pro started with messy sketches and lots of clicking “undo.”
Your Turn!
You don’t need to be a ‘real artist’ to start. You just need curiosity. So open that app, grab your stylus, and see what happens. Digital art is where imagination meets innovation. You can browse our shop for artist-designed inspiration, or contact us if you have questions about getting started.
Tag us on Instagram, or Facebook to share your art! @kickersketch