Digital arts use digital technology such as designing software, tablets, computers, and other digital drawing tools instead of physical art materials. Some people confuse it with
graphic design but they're not the same. Where graphic design refers to the process of conveying messages using various images, shades, words, and shapes, digital art focuses on representing emotions with computerized visuals. It has become popular among new generation artists due to the following advantages:
1. Time-saving
Traditional arts require a long time to develop textures and contrast. If any mistake happens, the artists have to spend longer. Mixing colors, preparing the canvas, cleaning brushes, combing brushes, and drying paints are also time-consuming. On the other hand, digital drawing is hassle-free. You can use any colors directly from the digital color palette. Any errors can be cleaned up within seconds. Therefore, these artworks don't take up much time.
2. Easy to duplicate
Have you tried duplicating something in a traditional picture? It is tiresome to do, even for professionals. However, advanced digital devices allow us to copy and paste anything we want. We just need to press a few buttons. All replicated parts will be exactly the same. Besides, we can make as many copies of the painting as we like. It is also possible to get multiple copies with different resolutions, sizes, and formats.
3. Affordable
In general, painters have to buy numerous tools, including paintbrushes, pencils, colors, rollers, papers, canvas, drop cloths, brush combs, mixing jars, roller trays, paint scrapers, etc. These items also need to be replaced regularly. Contrarily, digital drawing kits are way cheaper than physical ones. You only have to install art software on your device and get a drawing pencil. There are many free apps that users can access freely. Others are subscription-based or partially free.
4. Mess-free
Making conventional art is a messy process indeed. Your skin, clothes, and the floor might get more colors than the painting itself! No matter how cautious you stay, you still have to do a lot of clean-ups after finishing the work. If you're tired of such a mess, try the digital version instead. The colors will only be on the virtual paper. You no longer need to discard papers for mistakes. You can always undo or perform other corrections as per need.
5. Broad number of tools
The drawing applications include a wide range of tools, which make painting effortless. Almost all of them offer a versatile color palette that contains all tones possible. Plus, they have several brushes, pens, built-in figures, clipping masks, layering options, and other features needed for illustration. Even the free versions have sufficient features to paint a great artwork. However, you can't use the advanced ones without real money investment.
6. Beginner-friendly
Being an artist is not easy. A person has to learn the basics first and keep practicing for months. He might get frustrated for repeating mistakes or failing to get the perfect colors. Things can be a little easier with digital illustration. Like the traditional form, digital paintings need dedication and hard work, but they're more beginner-friendly. Most of the work can be done by the software features. There's no chance of struggling with a wrong move either. Another positive side is that newbies can practice digital painting anywhere.