Getting Started with Digital Illustration: A Beginner's Guide

 Have you ever admired a beautifully crafted digital artwork and wondered how you could create something similar? Digital illustration offers limitless possibilities for creativity and self-expression.

As a digital illustrator myself, I've found immense joy and freedom in this medium. Digital illustration allows for easy corrections (for me that's super important and the key for not getting anxious while I draw), a vast array of tools, and the ability to share and sell your work globally (you can always scan or make a picture of your artwork and share it later). Whether you're an aspiring artist or looking to enhance your skills, this guide will help you get started on your digital illustration journey.

Essential Tools for Digital Illustration

1. Tablets and Styluses:

- Introduction to Tools:

A graphics tablet and stylus are essential for creating digital art. Popular options include Wacom tablets, iPads with Apple Pencils, Huion tablets or Xpen tablets.
I started with a Wacom Intuos, which was perfect for learning and work with a computer. When Apple launched the iPad, I upgraded to an iPad Pro, which offers incredible precision and portability and I can't live without it.

Photo by ready made

Choose a tool that fits your budget and needs. Research reviews and consider what other artists in your field are using.

2. Software Options:

- Procreate: Ideal for iPad users, known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features.
- Krita: A versatile open source tool similar to Adobe Photoshop.
- Clip Studio Paint: Excellent for comic artists and illustrators, offering advanced inking and coloring features.
- Affinity Designer:  A very good program used for vector illustration, like adobe illustrator.

Adobe Photoshop, launched in 1988, revolutionized the digital art world, setting the stage for modern digital illustration tools. Nowadays Adobe has had many problems by its dubious intentions and currently many artists and designers have switched software to other more reliable companies.

 

1. Sketching and Outlining:

- Start with Simple Shapes:

Break down complex images into basic shapes. This helps in maintaining proportions and structure.
I often start my illustrations with loose sketches, refining them as I go. This iterative process helps in honing details and perfecting the final piece.

Many professional artists, like Loish, share their process from sketch to final artwork on social media, showing the importance of a solid foundation.

2. Adding Color and Shading:

- Layering: Use multiple layers for different elements of your artwork. This allows for easy adjustments and enhancements.
- Shading Techniques: Experiment with different shading methods, such as cross-hatching, soft shading, and using gradients to add depth.

Practice with color palettes and lighting scenarios to improve your understanding of color theory and its impact on your work.

Finding Your Style

1. Experimentation and Practice:

- Try Different Styles: Don't be afraid to experiment with various techniques and styles. This helps in discovering what resonates with you. You can have more than one styles but depending on your goals you'll want to use a specific one. In my case, I like to try different styles and techniques but with Paimel I just paint in a very specific way to make it easely recognizable.

 

Artists like Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso went through multiple phases before establishing their iconic styles.

2. Following Inspiration:

- Study Other Artists: Follow artists you admire and analyze their techniques. Platforms like Instagram, Youtube, Threads, Pinterest, Cara or TikTok are great for discovering diverse styles.

Following artists like Katnipp, MimimooIllustration, xetaercx, milkmocha, bichi.mao, gyung_studio, rihnlin, lightdraconis, zooo_wooorld and many more motivate and inspire me to create new designs and illustrations and try new things or techniques.
Digital illustration is a rewarding and limitless creative outlet. Whether you're starting with basic sketches or refining your shading techniques, the key is consistent practice and exploration, and enjoy, above all enjoy drawing.

Start your digital illustration journey today! Share your first digital artwork on social media and tag me for a chance to be featured. Happy drawing!