Digital Drawing: How To Draw Digital Art?

Art and beauty remain essential in this world of culture and class, and they evolve into the expansive universe of digital drawing. Learning how to draw digital art revolutionizes artistic expression, allowing us to leverage cutting-edge technology for flexibility and limitless possibilities.

This surge in popularity is fueled by the adaptability and universality of digital drawing, allowing artists to experiment without fear. Online digital drawing ideas thus transform the virtual landscape for better expression.

To embark on this journey, you need the best digital drawing tablet, creative inspiration, and a powerful digital drawing app. This guide provides essential insights into mastering the art of digital drawing by covering exactly those!

What Is Digital Drawing?

At the core, digital drawing refers to creating and enhancing visual art through electronic devices, usually done online and through specialized digital drawing apps.

Unlike traditional art, digital drawing does not require swathes of physical resources like canvases, paints, brushes, pens, and more, limiting itself to the (more expensive but technically more cost-efficient in the longer run) digital drawing tablet and stylus.

Speaking of which, the question arises of what you need for digital art!

What Do I Need For Digital Art?

As mentioned above, there are a few tools that are indispensable if you’re considering jumping into the world of digital drawing and art.

The foremost among these tools is obviously a high-quality digital drawing tablet. This device is the digital artist’s canvas and responds to the nuance of the hand holding the stylus to replicate the tactile experience of traditional drawing.

Digital drawing apps add to the experience of the tablet, empowering artists to improve in the medium of their choice and to explore those in which they are weak, ranging from sketching and inking to intricate detailing and shading.

Why Choose Digital Drawing?

If we had to boil down the allure of digital drawing to a simple phrase, it would be this: The potential for innovation. Artists use this platform to experiment with an array of effects, colors, and layers, pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic expression.

To top it off, digital art is all about convenience, and humans flock where there is ease and efficiency. After all, why spend time doing something riddled with possible errors and difficulties when technological advancement has made it possible to do the same thing without the fear accompanying the first method?

Of course, that is not to say traditional artwork ought to be ignored - no, what is important to note is that digital drawing and art are now worthy of standing on their own, and that’s also why it’s worthy of being chosen as an art form to learn.

How To Draw Digital Drawings?

The journey of digital drawing is not easy, but you are not alone. Though you must build up on the techniques and processes required to build your expertise in this artistic medium, it’s not as complicated as you might fear.

First, of course, is building your base and collecting tools. This means you need access to the best digital drawing tablet or the like and find access to a reliable and compatible digital drawing app. Only when these foundations are solid do you move to the second step.

And the second step is, of course, creating a sketch! Like any form of traditional or otherwise, digital drawing requires the formulation of digital drawing ideas in the way of primary conceptualizations, i.e., the basic sketch.

The advantage of digital drawing here is that you can modify and refine the foundation limitlessly and without leaving a trace, unlike even a pencil sketch on paper. Still, that brings us to the third step.

At this point, you can begin editing and improving upon your basic sketch using the addition of layers to add to the image and avoid ruining the basis of your art. Indeed, understanding and utilizing these layers becomes pivotal in helping artists overlay different elements to compose a cohesive image.

These layers can include:

• The background layer

• The initial sketch

• The linework

• The base or the skin tone - improving beyond the linework

• Coloring and shading layer

• Detail and editing

This concept of layering also allows artists to experiment with opacity, enabling artists to master the delicate balance of tones and shadows.

The last few steps revolve around finishing the detail work, editing the final details and coloring requirements, and ensuring it is good enough for the required consumption. Then, all you need to do is convert and edit to save your digital drawing.

As artists’ proficiency increases, they can use shading and blending techniques. After all, perfectly utilizing the potential of layers through these techniques becomes essential in creating depth and dimensionality.

Empower yourself as you come there while both novice and seasoned artists are on their digital drawing odyssey.

Best Digital Drawing Tablets

A great digital drawing tablet plays a huge role in taking your digital drawing experience to the next level, and that’s why we’ve chosen to include our recommendations on the best digital drawing tablet you could want.

In general, our recommendations span the XPPen brand, with its innovative designs and cutting-edge features, for the best experience for the artist starting their journey toward learning how to draw digital art.

Top 1: XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2)

The XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) tops our list and is a testament to XPPen’s commitment to excellence and utility.

It boasts a clear, vibrant 15.6-inch display, and this digital drawing tablet also offers a high-definition canvas where artists can unleash their creativity.

Furthermore, the stylus has advanced pressure sensitivity, providing unparalleled precision, making it an ideal choice for intricate detailing and shading.

Other Features:

• A fully laminated display for reduced parallax and enhanced clarity.

• 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity for nuanced strokes.

• Customizable shortcut keys for workflow.

Pros:

• Compatibility with popular digital drawing apps.

• Durable build and sleek design.

• Adjustable stand for ergonomic drawing positions.

Top 2: XPPen Artist 24 Drawing Display(FHD)

The XPPen Artist 24 Drawing Display is a powerhouse designed to meet the demands of professional digital artists. If that’s your aim, then choosing this is a perfect option!

This drawing display has an incredible 23.8-inch screen and provides extensive room for larger and more detailed artwork. Additionally, the tablet’s color accuracy ensures that digital drawing ideas are brought to life in perfect, beautiful ways.

This digital drawing tablet is the best choice for graphic designers and illustrators.

Other Features:

• 1920 x 1080 resolution display for crisp and vibrant visuals.

• 60 degrees of tilt functionality for natural drawing angles.

• Red dial interface for efficient navigation.

Pros:

• Large working area for intricate detailing.

• Express keys for customizable shortcuts.

• Seamless compatibility with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux.

Top 3: XPPen Deco 01 V2

While third on the list, the XPPen Deco 01 V2 remains a commendable option as the perfect balance between performance and affordability.

It has a spacious working area and a user-friendly design, both of which work in tandem to present a great entry-level option for new and experienced digital artists.

Other Features:

• 10 x 6.25-inch working area for comfortable drawing.

• Battery-free stylus with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity.

• Compatibility with various operating systems.

Pros:

• Slim and lightweight design for portability.

• Efficient design with 8 customizable express keys.

• An affordable option for beginners.

The Best Digital Drawing Apps

The second step after choosing your tablet is, of course, choosing the perfect digital drawing app. Choosing the right one is essential to unleash your potential the right way.

To help you out, we’ve outlined the top three in this guide to give you a little overview of what aspects you need to consider.

Top 1: Adobe Photoshop

For decades, Adobe Photoshop has been an industry standard, found within the devices of every artist who could afford it. As a comprehensive digital drawing app, this application has quite a list of features and tools that help out both beginners and seasoned artists.

More importantly, this app is versatile enough to cater to various styles and needs, from intricate art detailing to photo manipulation.

Features:

• Extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles.

• Layer management for complex compositions.

• Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for a seamless workflow.

Pros:

• Widely used in the professional design and art community.

• Regular updates and enhancements.

• Support for various file formats.

Top 2: Procreate

Procreate has earned (and continues to earn) its reputation as one of the best digital drawing apps available, even as it retains an exclusive position of availability for iPad users.

Still, the intuitive interface, powerful brush engine, and extensive range of features make it indispensable for digital artists, illustrators, and designers while also making it easy to use.

Features:

• Customizable brushes for unique textures.

• Time-lapse recording for tracking the creative process.

• Seamless integration with Apple Pencil.

Pros:

• One-time purchase with no subscription fees.

• Regular updates with new features.

• Export options in various file formats.

Top 3: Clip Studio Paint

Last but not least, Clip Studio Paint presents itself as a digital drawing app perfect for artists of mangas and comics, as well as other illustrators and animators.

Its features are specialized for comic creation, but there is also a range of digital drawing tools, making it a comprehensive but useful choice for artists with a specific focus.

Features:

• Comic and manga creation tools, including specialized brushes.

• 3D models for reference and posing.

• Animation features for frame-by-frame creation.

Pros:

• Affordable one-time purchase or subscription options.

• Excellent support for comic and manga creation.

• Compatibility with Windows, macOS, and iPad.

Summary

Digital drawing has transformed the art and beauty landscape in recent decades, ushering in unparalleled possibilities through the fusion of creativity and cutting-edge technology.

This surge is fueled by the adaptability, universality, and exploration capabilities of digital drawing, freeing artists from the constraints of physical materials. Equipping oneself with the essential tools, specifically the best digital drawing tablet and digital drawing app, becomes crucial for bringing artistic visions to life and mastering the fundamentals of how to draw digital art.

Thus, in this article, we’ve taken the time to guide artists on their digital drawing journey, emphasizing the importance of building a foundation, creating sketches, and mastering layers. We recommended XPPen Artist Pro 16, XPPen Deco 01 V2, and XPPen Artist 24 Drawing Display for the best digital drawing tablet; and Photoshop, Procreate, and Clip Studio Paint for apps.

So, embark on your digital art journey with the world of digital drawing! And do it with XPPen’s exceptional tools and resources! Explore more at the XPPen Website and unleash your artistic potential in digital drawing.