From Pencil to Pixels: The world of Digital Art

Digital art showing a fish in a glass of water.

Digital art representing a glass of water on a wooden platform. Inside the glass, on the water is a man in a small fishing boat. He is trying to catch the fish that swims in the water inside the glass. Next to the glass is a man's hand. — (Image courtesy Anja @cocoparisienne)

What is Digital Art?
How is Digital Art created?
What are the advantages of Digital Art?

For centuries, people have used art as a means of self-expression. Pencils, paint, and other tangible materials were once used by artists to create their works of art. Digital art, however, has given us a new canvas to work with in the modern world and we moved from pencils to pixels. Let’s dive into the world of digital art and discover more about its processes.

Photograph of traditional tools used for painting and drawing: brushes, colored-pencils, chalks, etc. — (Image courtesy Albrecht Fietz)

What is Digital Art?

Any form of art created digitally (using a computer or another electronic device, such as a smartphone or a tablet) is considered to be digital art. We can include here all kinds of arts: from drawing and painting to animation and even 3D modeling. Given its versatility, digital art has become increasingly popular over the years.

How is Digital Art created?

Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, or Autodesk Sketchbook (to name only some software packages) allow artists to create their works of art on a digital canvas. Instead of traditional brushes and pencils, artists use virtual ones to create stunning images.

Digital art photography of a 3D little dog. The dog is wearing a suit, glasses, and a hat. He looks like a dog half aviator and half crazy, but funny scientist. — (Image courtesy RoyalTee)

What are the advantages of Digital Art?

The ease with which artists can edit their artworks is one of the main benefits of digital art. If they made a mistake during their artistic process or they are just unhappy with the result, artists don’t need anymore to start over from scratch. They can simply use the “undo” button to go back a step and make the necessary modifications. Digital art also allows artists to experiment with different hues, textures, and effects without worrying about a mess or running out of materials.

Quiz

1. What is digital art?

a) Art created with traditional brushes and paint or with pencils

b) Art made using a computer or other electronic device

c) Art made using 3D materials

2. Which software programs do artists throughout the world use to create digital art?

a) Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or Autodesk Sketchbook

b) Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

c) Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides

3. What benefit can digital art offer?

a) It enables artists to try out new brushes, pencils, colors, textures, or effects and to easily make corrections

b) It costs less than traditional art supplies

c) It is simpler to sell than conventional art

Digital art representing a laptop, a tablet and a smartphone on a wooden table. Each screen shows a different picture that expends itself outside the borders of the described electronic devices. — (Image courtesy Chau Nguyen)

Digital art is a fascinating and stimulating medium that has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for artists throughout the world. It might offer you the ways that you always searched for, to express your creativity and your own vision.

So why not give your own digital art a try? If you don’t like the result, you can always use the ‘undo’ option or even delete your entire art project. You have nothing to lose if you try. Online, there are a lot of free or inexpensive software tools that you can use to get started. Who knows, you might just find a brand-new hobby!

Don’t forget to share with us in the comments your answers to the quiz!

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