Everyone who has ever admired concept art from games, illustrations in favorite books, or movie posters has probably wondered how it’s created? The answer is simple — it’s the work of a digital artist.
If you also want to dive into this fascinating world but don’t know where to start, this article is for you.
Here we’ll break down what digital painting is, what tools you need to get started, and — most importantly — how to make your first steps without unnecessary expenses.
What Is Digital Painting and Why Is It So Popular?
Digital painting — also known as digital paintings — is the process of creating visual content using computer software, graphic tablets, and styluses. Unlike traditional painting, where you use canvas, brushes, and paints, here your canvas is a screen, and your brush is a digital tool.
Digital art meaning covers a wide range of artistic forms: from concept art for games to illustrations for advertising and publishing. It’s a modern approach to creating art that combines traditional techniques with technological possibilities.
What is digital art? — it’s not just drawing on a computer. It’s a full-fledged artistic discipline that allows artists to experiment with color, light, composition, and textures faster and more conveniently than in traditional media.
Why has digital art conquered the entertainment industry? It saves time, reduces costs, and provides endless opportunities for corrections and experimentation — the perfect combination for fast-paced projects in games, film, and animation.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the digital art market is valued at $5.80 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $11.81 billion by 2030, which proves the rapid development of this industry.
The history of digital art began back in the 1960s when the first artists started experimenting with computers. The Art Story notes that the first widely known digital artwork was created at Bell Labs in the 1960s, where computer graphics specialist Kenneth Knowlton created “Young Nude” (1966), transforming a photograph into a pixelated image.
Since then, technology has come a long way — from basic graphic programs to advanced tools like Adobe Photoshop and Procreate.
Who Is a Digital Artist and What Do They Do?
What is a digital artist? — a specialist who creates visual content using digital tools. A digital painter works in various industries: video games, film and animation, publishing, advertising, and marketing.
The main advantage of digital painting over traditional art is flexibility. Made a mistake? Press Ctrl+Z. Want to try another color? Add a new layer. Need multiple versions? Duplicate the file and experiment.
Digital art illustration can take any form — from realistic portraits to stylized characters for mobile games. Digital art artists create concept art, book cover illustrations, character and environment designs, textures, and much more.
What Tools Do You Need: Digital Art Tools
Good news: how to start digital art does not require huge investments at the beginning. You can start with what you already have.
Drawing Devices
Computer or Laptop
If you already have a computer, great — you can start on it. For a comfortable workflow, at least 8 GB of RAM is recommended. Windows, Mac, or Linux — all work well for digital painting.
Tablets
Apple iPad with Apple Pencil or Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 with S Pen offer excellent pressure sensitivity and allow you to draw anywhere. This is a perfect choice for those who want to get into digital art without complications.
Graphic Tablets
If you work on a computer without a touchscreen, you’ll need a graphic tablet. Wacom is the most popular brand, offering models for every skill level.
Digital Painting Software
– Adobe Photoshop — industry standard with powerful functionality. Great for everything from illustrations to texturing.
– Clip Studio Paint — popular among manga artists. It has line stabilization and many useful tools.
– Procreate — available only for iPad, costs about $10. Lightweight and intuitive. A great choice for cool digital art for beginners.
– Krita — free professional software, ideal for practice without subscriptions.
Most software offers free trial versions — use them to find what suits you best.
How to Do Digital Art: First Steps
Now that you know the definition of digital art and have basic equipment, it’s time to move to practice. So how to draw digital art?
Learn the Interface
Start by getting familiar with the program. Learn where the tools are, how layers work, how to customize brushes. Begin with basic tools: brush, eraser, fill, and eyedropper.
Practice Basic Techniques
How to draw digitally effectively? Start with simple exercises: draw shapes, practice hatching and blending, experiment with opacity and pressure.
Things to practice drawing digitally at the beginning: fruits and simple objects, geometric shapes with shadows, basic landscapes, stylized characters.
Digital Art Techniques: Key Methods
– Layer Work — place each element (background, character, shadows, highlights) on separate layers. This gives flexibility and allows easy corrections.
– Color Selection — use the color wheel for harmonious combinations. Beginners benefit from a limited palette of 3–5 main colors.
– Lighting and Shadows — define the light source, then gradually add shadows and highlights for depth. Use blending modes like Multiply for shadows and Screen for light.
– Use References — even experienced artists use references. Study photos and analyze other artists’ works.
Explore Different Digital Painting Styles
| Digital Painting Style | Description | Best Used For | Skill Level | Recommended Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic Rendering | Focuses on lifelike textures, lighting, and materials. Often used for portraits or concept art. | Character art, product visualization | Intermediate–Advanced | Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter |
| Stylized Illustration | Simplifies shapes and exaggerates proportions to create expressive, visually strong works. | Mobile games, comics, animation | Beginner–Intermediate | Procreate, Clip Studio Paint |
| Matte Painting | Combines photo manipulation and digital painting to create cinematic environments. | Films, background design, VFX | Advanced | Photoshop, Krita |
| Speed Painting | Fast sketching technique to capture lighting and composition ideas quickly. | Concept ideation, daily art studies | Beginner | Krita, Paintstorm Studio |
| Pixel Art | Uses pixel-by-pixel control to create retro-style visuals. | Indie games, nostalgic visuals | Beginner–Intermediate | Aseprite, Piskel |
| Painterly Style | Mimics traditional brushstrokes and visible texture; focuses on artistic feeling over realism. | Book covers, editorial art | Intermediate | Corel Painter, Rebelle |
| Photo Bashing | Blends photos with digital paint for rapid concept creation. | Film and game concept art | Advanced | Photoshop |
How to Turn a Drawing Into Digital Art
Do you have sketches on paper? How do you make digital art from a traditional drawing?
- Scan or photograph the drawing in high resolution.
- Open it in the software and adjust brightness and contrast.
- Clean the background — make it white or transparent.
- Add color on separate layers under the outline.
- Refine details with digital tools.
This method works great for those who are used to traditional drawing.
Fun Facts
Did you know that digital painting started long before personal computers became common?
In 1963, Ivan Sutherland, a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, created Sketchpad — a program that allowed users to manipulate objects on a CRT screen. This was a revolution — the first step toward modern graphic editors!
Digital Art Tips: Useful Advice for Beginners
– Practice regularly — even 15–20 minutes a day can make a big difference.
– Don’t Chase Expensive Gear — tools don’t make the artist. Start with what’s accessible and focus on improving your skills.
– Study the Fundamentals — anatomy, perspective, color theory, composition are essential regardless of medium.
– Join Communities — ArtStation, DeviantArt, and Behance are great platforms to share your work and get feedback.
– Participate in Challenges — Inktober and other art marathons help maintain motivation.
– Don’t Fear Mistakes — digital art allows you to experiment without fear of ruining your work.
Career Opportunities
Once you become a confident digital painter, you can work as a concept artist, illustrator, or character and environment artist. Starting salaries are around $32,000 for junior positions and can exceed $77,000 for experienced professionals.
VSQUAD, founded in 2015, specializes in full-cycle outsourcing solutions for game development. Our extensive portfolio includes 2D and 3D character art, environment design, props, weapons, hard-surface modeling, 3D animation, and VFX.
We help game developers worldwide accelerate production without sacrificing quality — from concept to final assets. What makes us unique? Deep, fast, and flexible integration. Within 48 hours, we become part of your pipeline, providing a full team of artists, animators, and technical specialists.
Our work has supported indie teams and AAA projects alike, with participation in Steam Next Fest, Gamescom Latam, and Epic Games’ Epic MegaGrants. Check out our contributions to acclaimed titles such as Wayfinder, Darksiders Genesis, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story, and Smite.
FAQ
Initial costs range from $100 to $3000. A basic setup includes an entry-level graphic tablet ($100–200) and free software like Krita. If you already have an iPad, buying Procreate for $10 is enough. Unlike traditional supplies, digital tools last for years.
Traditional skills help but are not required. Many successful digital artists started directly on a computer. However, knowledge of composition, light, color, and anatomy is essential regardless of medium.
For beginners, Procreate (iPad) or Krita (free for PC) are great. They’re intuitive and not overloaded with features. Once you’re comfortable, move on to Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint. Most programs offer trial versions.
Basic skills can be learned in 1–3 months of regular practice. Reaching a professional level can take 1–2 years of intensive work. Daily 30-minute sessions are more effective than weekly marathons.
Yes, the entertainment industry constantly needs digital artists. You can work in studios, agencies, or as a freelancer. Entry-level salaries range from $30,000–40,000 per year, while experienced professionals earn $70,000–100,000+.
The main difference is flexibility and iteration speed. Digital painting allows you to undo actions, work with layers, and quickly try different options without starting over. It speeds up the process and encourages experimentation.
Your Digital Art Journey Begins Here
Digital painting is not just a trendy direction but a fully-fledged artistic discipline that opens endless creative possibilities. How to get into digital art is simpler than it seems — start with accessible tools, practice regularly, study the basics, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Remember, every great artist was once a beginner. Your first works won’t be masterpieces — and that’s perfectly fine. Keep practicing, learn from your mistakes, and enjoy the process.
Ready to turn your ideas into visual masterpieces? Whether it’s personal projects or a professional career in the game industry, digital painting gives you all the tools to realize your creative potential.
Want to learn more about creating professional game art or looking for a team to bring your ambitious project to life? Contact VSQUAD — we’ll help turn your vision into reality. Contact us —> 📩 [email protected] or schedule a call.
