Digital is the new normal. The present-day situation demands distance for safety. In such times, as art galleries and studios resort to digitalizing, it’s most crucial that we follow up as well. Digital art is not just a form of art. It’s a grand opportunity that will only strengthen with time. According to research by Inside Market, the market size for digital art stands in millions and is going to rise by leaps and bounds in the years to come.
The applications of digital art in industrial design and animation, the film industry, marketing, and many more have opened numerous job opportunities for those who seek it.
VoucherCodesUAE brings you all you need to know while getting started with digital art.
Getting started with digital art – what exactly is that?
Digital art is basically drawing and painting using modern technology. This form of art does not require paints and pencils. All you need is your basic equipment like your tablets and pc to get started.
Digital art is time-consuming and hard to learn according to many. However, if you have the motivation and the thirst to achieve it, there’s nothing to stop you. Guiding you on this new journey, here is all you need to know before you start a new hobby and give fire to some new interests.
Pros of digital art
- It’s easy to use and handle. You can draw anywhere anytime without any inconvenience.
- Undo feature makes your work easier. You can always undo your mistakes and work again.
- A wide range of options. Explore the possibilities and ideas with a massive collection of tools and color shades that are hard to create otherwise.
- You can easily duplicate your work and this becomes extremely convenient while working with clients.
- No need to keep on updating your paints and brushes.
Digital art and Traditional art
There has been a great argument over the importance of digital art over traditional forms. While traditional artwork receives more artistic merit, both forms undergo the same processes. The only difference is in the equipment used.
The great demand for digital art in various industries makes it a great investment. At the same time, traditional art pieces have more value because of their uniqueness. While digital art can be copied and shared easily, traditional artworks are mostly unique and one of a kind. These can’t be easily reproduced.
How to start digital art? All you need to have:
Wondering what you need?
Drawing tablets
A graphic tablet is a computer device that allows you to draw on a screen. You can create great artwork digitally using the pen-like stylus which makes drawing more convenient and simulates traditional drawing. It is the first to answer a question on how to start digital art.
There are basically four types of drawing tablets. These include-
- Graphic
- Display
- All in one
Graphic tablet
The cheapest in the market, these tablets come with a touchpad and a stylus. While the fancier models may have better features, it all depends on your budget.
While these come really cheap and require no charging, these don’t have a screen. Therefore you have to connect it to your computer and look at the screen the whole time as you draw.
Wireless 2.4G Graphics Art Drawing Tablet Deco 03 With Pen (10 x 5.6inch Black)
AED: 750
This one is from Noon.
Display tablets
Display tablets come with an inbuilt monitor which makes drawing much more enjoyable and fun. These are more expensive as they are more accurate and give the feeling of drawing on real paper.
Wacom Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet with Screen
AED 2,569
This one’s from Desertcart.
All in one tablet
These are dual featured tablets that serve as computers as well. The all-in-one-tablet like iPads and Microsoft surface Pro cuts off the need of buying a separate laptop or computer. However, these are much more expensive.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9″
Buy it from amazon.ae using Amazon coupons.
Note: If you don’t want to invest in a new tablet and have a PC at home already, you can always use it and cut down the expenses. But if your PC is lagging, you can update or replace the memory.
While 4GB memory works for drawing, it’s better to get one with 8GB or more for the best performance.
Digital Painting or Illustration Software
There is various software available for digital art. It is crucial while you want to get started with digital art. To make your experience better and to help you create better artwork, several software programs have been developed. While most software demands payment, there are some free ones as well. While choosing your software, you can always try it out through a month-long free trial before buying it.
Some of the best digital art software includes:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Gimp
- Art studio
- Krita
- Pro Create and many more.
So choose your software wisely and enjoy drawing.
Things to keep in mind while buying a drawing tablet.
Size
The size of your tablet depends on your use entirely. Whether you want a compact tablet which can be carried around easily or a larger one for more efficient use is all up to you. While selecting the correct size you should take these into account.
- The active area
- The overall size of the device
The active area comprises the part where you can work. A bigger active area will supplement you with comfort while drawing bigger pictures.
Pressure sensitivity
The pressure sensitivity of your drawing tablets usually varies from 300-3000 pressure sensitivity levels. The higher the pressure sensitivity, the more you can alternate between different thicknesses of strokes. The optimum pressure sensitivity for-
- Beginners- 1,025
- More advanced- 2,048
Responsiveness
This is how fast your strokes and lines appear on your screen. It mainly depends on the specs of your computer and your tablet.
Resolution
Higher the resolution, the more details you can add to your drawings. Usually larger tablets have a higher resolution as compared to the smaller ones.
The resolution depends on the LPI ( lines per inch) of your tablet’s screen.
Stylus
Three basic types of styluses come with your tablets.
- Battery-powered stylus
- Rechargeable stylus
- EMR ( electromagnetic resonance) stylus
Make sure the tablet you choose has a stylus that fits well in your hands.
For more advanced requirements
Look for a tablet that fits your requirements. A more professional artist might be looking for some advanced features as tilt sensitivity and multi-touch display.
Battery
Last but not the least, battery life is one of the most important factors to consider. Especially if you tend to work non-stop for hours, you want a tablet with good battery life.
FAQs: Digital Art
Do I need to be a good artist to do digital art?
In most cases, yes! Knowing the basics of art and the traditional methods of art are important for digital art. However many abstract forms do not require so much knowledge. Anyway, the whole process is a learning one and it comes with time. Just because you can’t draw does not mean you can’t do digital art. Remember it while you getting started with digital art.
Can I do digital art on my phone?
Yes! You can do digital art on your phone. However, you have to make some compromises in terms of space and comfort. All you need to do is get a digital art software compatible with your phone. Here are some apps you can use:
- Autodesk Sketchbook
- Adobe Illustrator Draw
- Ibis Paint and more
So artists get geared and ready. With so much time in your hands, become a pro digital artist and take it forward as a hobby or a profession.
If you are more into the traditional art methods, set up a home art studio. With all your hobbies and interests, have the perfect staycation at home.
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