How to Make Digital Art: A Complete Guide

Working with digital art is no longer just for graphic designers. Artists, marketers and others use software and supporting digital tools to connect with their audience and maintain a brand voice online.

Knowing the basics of how to make digital art opens so many doors, whether you’re simply having fun or trying to build a career in digital illustration in Procreate. Learn the essential steps and get going with this fascinating form of creativity.

The Importance of Digital Art

Like drawing, painting and sculpting, digital art is a primary form of creativity and self-expression. You see it everywhere, and not only in spaces focused on graphic design and technology.

Even if digital graphics aren’t your area of expertise, a basic understanding of how they’re created comes in handy if you’re working on websites or marketing your business online. It’s also a fun medium to explore if you’re an artist who’s only worked with traditional materials. Fortunately, with the range of software available, learning to create digital art is more accessible than ever.

Things You Need Before You Start Creating Digital Art

You can make digital art on just about any digital device, though certain ones lend themselves better than others. Think about the kind of art you want to make, your personal skill level and your budget for electronics and art-making accessories as you determine exactly what you need to begin.

In most cases, you’ll find these specific items most useful as you learn how to make a digital illustration, digital collage or other artwork:

Computer, tablet or phone: The device you choose has a lot to do with what you already have and your physical comfort level with drawing on a screen. It also involves the specific software you want to use. For example, if you know you want to use Procreate, you’ll need an iPad or iPhone, while you can run Photoshop on just about any device. If you create on a tablet or smartphone, you’ll also need a stylus.

Pen tablet: If you’re making digital art on a computer, consider using a pen tablet instead of a mouse. Connect the pen tablet to your desktop or laptop, draw on it using a stylus and watch your work appear on the computer screen. Using the pen tablet allows for more control and natural gestures than a mouse typically would.

Software: You have the option to use free or paid digital art software, though the paid options are likely to have greater capabilities overall. When free trials are available, use them to learn what software best suits your style, goals, budget and device. Some of the leading options include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Fresco, Procreate and GIMP.

Aerial view of someone working on a Procreate illustration of a teacup, honey and a bee in soft pink, blue, yellow and white — Procreate is ideal for digital art beginners with numerous features and an intuitive interface. Class Intro to Procreate: Illustrating on the iPad by Brooke Glaser

8 Steps for Creating Digital Art

Your digital art process will vary depending on your style, device and software. In general, however, you can follow the same basic steps.

1. Select a Digital Art Software

Take time to research what software will suit you best. Free programs are available, as are free trials for paid programs. Adobe is a leader in digital art software with Photoshop, Illustrator and Fresco, though it’s far from the only option. If you’re a beginner, try learning digital art with Procreate.

2. Sketch Your Design

Before creating a digital version of your art, sketch it out on paper. This allows you to create without worrying about the technology aspect, and rough out the idea before adding details. When the sketch is finished, scan it or take a photo to upload to your chosen software.

3. Work on Multiple Layers

Creating in layers means you won’t compromise your entire piece if one aspect becomes a problem. You can rearrange and alter layers as you go, and name them to keep everything straight. Typical layers might be:

Background
Original basic sketch
Color layers
Detail layers

4. Color Your Drawing

After you have your work outlined, fill in the basic colors using the pens, brushes and layers of your software. For now, keep the colors simple, using one color for each major element, such as the sky, a wall, hair or skin.

5. Remove Sketch Layers

Just as you’d clean up sketched lines and colors from a paper drawing, you can remove sketch layers from your digital art. Only do this once you feel comfortable with the overall appearance of your work and you’ve done a significant amount of the line and color work.

6. Add Finishing Touches

Now it’s time for shading, texture and other digital painting details. You could even add additional layers if you need details that don’t involve tweaking existing work.

7. Merge the Layers

Because certain file types can’t handle the multiple layers, you should merge them into one layer for .PNG and .JPEG formats. Be sure to keep a copy with the separate layers so you can go back and work on them if needed.

8. Save Your Digital Artwork

Select the best file type for your work. Saving as a vector or illustration will let you go back and edit the piece, though you may encounter issues trying to use it online.

Illustrations of oranges, lemons and berries along with their leaves and blossoms, shown on the left as the individual elements, and on the right as constructed fruit tree branches — Digital art software lets you focus on individual elements and makes it simple to replicate pieces for consistency and efficiency. Class Digital Illustration: A Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Procreate by Silvia Ospina

Get Going With Digital Art Creation

Painting and drawing digital art is a valued skill among the internet’s content creators and an enjoyable pastime for graphic designers and hobbyists alike. Your basic understanding of how it’s made helps you connect your brand to your audience and opens doors to a fun creative outlet.

Skillshare maintains a massive library of classes on digital art creation, usually in the context of specific software and content types. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll find classes that support your goals. Further, Skillshare has a partnership with Procreate and features a Procreate Hub, guiding you as you become familiar with the various features and settings.

Written By

Katie Mitchell

Katie lives in Michigan with her husband, kids and pets. She enjoys cooking, travel and live music.