Digital Art for Beginners: What It Is, Tools & Easy Ideas
Digital Art 101: Start with iPad/Procreate, Tools & Ideas
Digital art for beginners is simpler than it looks. In this guide you’ll learn what digital art is, which tools you actually need, the best beginner apps like Procreate, and five easy project ideas to practice today. Start here—and grab your free Procreate Playbook.
Starting digital art shouldn’t feel like assembling a spaceship. In this guide you’ll learn what digital art is, the tools that matter (without overspending), the best beginner apps like Procreate, and simple projects to build confidence—today.
What Is Digital Art?
Digital art is just like traditional art—but made with the help of technology. Imagine your paintbrushes, markers, and pencils… all tucked inside your favorite device, ready to go whenever inspiration strikes! Digital art is art created using a digital device—like an iPad, drawing tablet, computer, or even a smartphone!
🖌️ What is Digital Painting?
Digital painting is a dreamy type of digital art that beautifully mimics the textures and charm of traditional painting—but without the mess (yay!). Imagine capturing the richness of oils, the softness of pastels, or the glow of watercolors, all without needing to wash a single brush.
No spilled cups of water, no stained clothes, and definitely no dried-out markers. Just you, your screen, and a stylus that feels like a magic wand. With a simple swipe, you can blend colors like a pro, layer textures, experiment with new styles, or undo a mistake with a gentle tap (goodbye, art anxiety!).
Whether you’re sitting at a café, curled up on the couch, or sneaking in a quick doodle before bed, digital painting gives you the freedom to paint anywhere, anytime, without carrying a suitcase full of art supplies. It’s like carrying your whole art studio in your iPad.
Get a Procreate Guide for Beginners
Tools You Actually Need (and What You Don’t)
Where to start with digital art as a beginner with no tools
Getting into digital art shouldn’t require a spaceship. Keep it simple, draw more, stress less. 🚀
- A drawing device + a pressure-sensitive stylus ✍️
An iPad with Apple Pencil is a friendly, portable setup that shines with Procreate. On Android, a tablet with a stylus is a solid choice—especially with ibisPaint or Sketchbook. Prefer a desk rig? A Windows or Mac computer paired with a pen tablet or pen display is excellent for Krita, Photoshop, or Clip Studio Paint.
One beginner-friendly app 🎨
Pick one app and commit for 30 days. Learn the core four: layers, brushes, selections, export. Mastery > menu collecting.
- If you’re on iPad: Procreate—clean UI, quick gestures, perfect for starters.
- On Windows/Mac: Krita (free) or Clip Studio Paint (trial/paid) are excellent.
- On Android: ibisPaint or Sketchbook—light, capable, beginner-friendly.
Nice-to-haves (upgrade later)
- Paper-like screen protector 📄 for better control if your screen feels slippery.
- Drawing glove 🧤 to avoid palm friction/smudges.
- Cloud backup ☁️ (Drive, iCloud) so your masterpieces survive spilled coffee.
Brushes & files (keep it lean)
- 3 brushes to rule them all 🪄
- Pencil (sketch), Inker (line), Soft shader (values). Add textures once you’re consistent.
- Simple file structure 🗂️
- One “Assets” folder: brushes, palettes, references. Less hunting, more drawing.
What you don’t need (yet)
- A top-tier, 4K, color-calibrated spaceship 🛰️
- Beautiful, yes. Essential for beginners, no. Your fundamentals matter more.
- Every art app on earth 🌍
- Context switching kills progress. Commit to one for 30–60 days.
- Perfect desk aesthetic 🌿
- Cozy helps, but skills grow from daily reps, not fairy lights.
- Instant upgrades because “pressure levels” 📈
- Modern pens are already excellent. Practice beats specs.
Starter checklist (copy/paste)
- Device + stylus ✅
- One app installed & updated ✅
- 3-brush starter set (pencil/inker/shader) ✅
- Stand + comfy chair ✅
- Cloud backup on ✅
- 20-minute daily routine bookmarked ✅
Bottom line: keep gear simple, keep practice consistent. The fewer decisions you make before drawing, the more art you actually create. 🚀
Free Guide to Start Your Digital Art Journey
Are you brand new to Procreate and not sure where to begin? If you’ve been dreaming of creating your own digital art on iPad but feel a little overwhelmed by the app, don’t worry — I’ve got you.
I created the Free Procreate Playbook for Beginners just for you! It’s a gentle, step-by-step guide to help you learn Procreate with ease, joy, and no stress. Whether you’re doodling for the first time or starting your digital art journey, this guide will help you feel confident and inspired from the very first stroke.
What Can You Do with Digital Painting?
- Blend colors just like oils or watercolors
Want buttery smooth gradients or soft, dreamy watercolor washes? You can do that with a swipe of your stylus. Most digital art apps offer brushes that simulate real paint, so you can smudge, blend, and layer just like you would with physical paints—minus the muddy palettes or drying time. - Add textures with digital brushes
From gritty pencils to fluffy clouds and leafy patterns—digital brushes bring a world of textures at your fingertips. With just one brush set, you can create fur, glitter, canvas textures, and even fabric folds without switching tools. It’s like having hundreds of art materials inside your tablet! - Erase without fear (thank you, undo button!)
Made a wonky line or colored outside the edges? No problem! Digital art gives you the magical power of the undo button. One tap and—poof!—the mistake disappears. It’s like having a safety net for your creativity, so you can draw with confidence. - Experiment endlessly without wasting paper
Test out new color palettes, try wild compositions, or layer over your sketches again and again without using up a single sheet of paper. Digital art is eco-friendly and budget-friendly, giving you infinite canvas space to explore and grow as an artist.
What Can You Create with Digital Art? Magical Ideas for Beginners Using Procreate
With just your iPad (and a little imagination), you can unlock a whole world of creative joy. From drawing cozy animals to designing planner stickers or doodling your own magical universe — digital art for beginners makes it easy to bring your ideas to life. And the best part? No mess, no pencils to sharpen — just pure, playful creativity at your fingertips! 💛
You’d be surprised—digital art is way more than just pretty pictures (although we do love a good aesthetic moment ✨).
With just a tablet or iPad and your imagination, you can unlock a world full of creative possibilities. Whether you’re drawing cozy animals, designing stickers for your planner, or dreaming up your own magical universe, digital art lets you turn any idea into visual magic—without ever sharpening a pencil.
- Illustrations and Cartoons
From whimsical characters to detailed scenes, digital tools allow you to craft vibrant illustrations and playful cartoons that bring your ideas to life. - Animated GIFs or Full-Blown Animations
Add motion to your art! Create simple GIFs to share on social media or delve into full animations to tell more complex stories. - Digital Portraits and Fan Art
Capture the essence of your favorite people or characters with digital portraits. Fan art is a great way to connect with communities and showcase your style. - 3D Models and Game Characters
Step into the third dimension by designing 3D models. Whether it’s for games, simulations, or just for fun, 3D art opens up new creative avenues. - Augmented Reality Experiences
Blend the digital and physical worlds by creating AR art that viewers can interact with through their devices, adding a dynamic layer to your creations. - Printable Artwork or Stickers
Design art that can be printed and used in various ways—think posters, planner stickers, or decals. It’s a fun way to share your art in tangible forms. - Interactive Art
Engage your audience by creating art that responds to user input, whether it’s through touch, movement, or other interactive elements.
No matter what your style is or how “beginner” you feel, there’s room for your creativity to blossom in the digital art world. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being playful, curious, and excited to see what your fingers (and stylus) can do. 💕
Your Creativity Has No Limits
Whether you’re doodling your first chibi character or dreaming up a fantasy landscape, digital art lets you explore your creativity without fear. You don’t need expensive supplies or formal training—just curiosity and a little playfulness.
FAQs About Digital Art
- Which brushes do I start with? I recomend my favorite bryushes set that bring all the basic brushes. These brushes are a great start for a new procreate artist. With this set of 30 Procreate Brush set ready to install on Procreate (.brushset file), there are no limits to your creativity. https://mariapalitostudio.com/shop/30-illustration-procreate-brush-set/
2. Is digital art good for beginners? Yes—undo, layers, and low cost make practice fast and forgiving.
3. Do I need an iPad to start? No. iPad + Procreate is friendly, but tablets with Krita/ibisPaint also work.
4. How do I practice daily? 20 minutes.
