It takes very little to break into the world of digital drawing for beginners, and what a beginner will need doesn't vary much from person to person.
With that being said, knowing where to start is daunting if you've never tried before. In this article, you'll discover the fundamentals for getting started with digital art.
What Is Digital Art?
In its simplest form, digital art is something you make with the help of a computer, smartphone or tablet. The main difference compared to other forms of art is that you don't use items like pencils and paper to create your work.
Examples of digital art include CGI and modeling, digital music, and animation. Virtual reality (VR) also counts.
Before you jump into any of these, learning how to draw digitally is a good idea. You'll save a lot of time and your learning curve will be much smaller.
Computer drawing not only cuts your teeth in a technical sense. It also introduces you to the processes and workflows that you will need to become familiar with. This prepares you for more advanced digital media.
If you're reading this, the chances are that you already own a computer. So, what else do you need to succeed as a digital artist?
Why Use a Tablet?
Many digital artists get by just fine using only a mouse or trackpad. Nothing beats having a stylus in your hand, however.
A tablet gives you complete control over every stroke, allowing you to work at length without fatigue and to condition the muscles in your hand.
Graphic Tablets
A graphic tablet is a pad that measures the pressure applied with a stylus to mark up the digital canvas. This option is ideal for beginners in digital art. They're cost-effective and durable, freeing your hand without breaking the bank.
Below are some graphic tablets you should consider buying for your digital art journey.
The One by Wacom
The One by Wacom is ideal for students. It requires no battery, meaning that you'll never have to worry about it falling asleep in the heat of the moment.
The HUION H420
Nothing says back to basics like the HUION H420. The tablet has tree buttons, one stylus, endless potential for the beginner.
Display Tablets
Display tablets are basically iPads with a much more granular sense of touch and orientation. They're designed to capture every flick of the wrist, much like a real paintbrush or pencil.
Display tablets are more intuitive to use for many people, providing an immediate window into the digital canvas before you.
A screen, naturally, will be more susceptible to wear and tear such as dead pixels and cracks in the glass. Display tablets are also more expensive, but many digital artists consider them a must-have.
The Wacom Cintiq Pro
The Cintiq line is universally regarded as packing the most punch in clarity and color. The Wacom Cintiq Pro offers gestures, programmable Express keys, and a slew of nibs with which to outfit the pressure-sensitive stylus.
The iPad and Other Normal Tablets
If you want to get into digital drawing and already use an iPad, software like Procreate gives you the platform to do so. Take it on the go or get cozy in bed, away from the headache of your desk.
Download: Procreate for iPad
Do You Need a Second Monitor for Digital Art?
The use of a display tablet will preclude the need for more on-screen real estate at the beginning of your digital painting career. The screen of the computer your tablet is hooked up to will give you plenty of space to lay out your workspace, even if the tablet itself has no screen.
Samsung and Dell offer second monitors that are affordable and well worth the space on your desk. But at the same time, it's a good idea to hold off on the investment until you urgently need it.
The External Hard Drive
While your computer likely has plenty of room for all of your work, having everything backed up externally is always a safe bet.
An external hard drive gives you a place to keep all of your work organized and out of your hair. This is ideal if you use your computer for things like work and do not want to be distracted.
For most artists who are just getting started, 1TB is usually plenty. The LaCie Rugged is adorable, affordable, almost impossible to destroy, and available in several capacities of storage.
What Software Should I Use?
Not all brands of digital drawing software are created equal.
Many are suitable for users of all skill levels. Others are more suitable for advanced digital artists. Knowing your own needs will help you decide what is best for you.
The Classic: Photoshop
If your aim is to simulate the feeling of drawing and painting in real life, Photoshop has everything you could want. This includes a library of textured brushes and an on-screen digital palette.
Adobe Illustrator is vector-based. That is, each object and stroke is scalable, a shape whose appearance and behavior are based on mathematics.
Photoshop is a bit more free-wheeling and easy. Digital art created in Photoshop will feel a lot more like art drawn traditionally. We recommend this platform when you first start out.
Download: Adobe Photoshop (Mac or Windows) ($20.99/month)
The Ringer: GIMP
If your digital drawing aspirations are really digging into your wallet, GIMP is one free program that will show you how to draw digitally without causing undue financial stress.
Download: GIMP (Mac, Windows, or Linux) (Free)
The Newbie: Krita
If all you need is a glorified browser with a blank canvas, a Photoshop alternative will give you space to practice many forms of easy digital art.
If your system does not boast the RAM that Photoshop demands, Krita will likely be easier for your computer to handle. That, and it's free, making it a great choice in terms of digital art for beginners.
Download: Krita (Mac, Windows, or Linux) (Free)
Sparking It Up
Learning how to draw digital art is easy once you've got yourself outfitted for success.
Sure, you can take part in online classes. But ultimately, learning how to make digital art is a matter of getting down to business and diving in.
Now you know the fundamentals of digital art for beginners. So, why not start stretching your fingers and creating the art you want to see in the world?