Digital drawing is one of the latest fields of digital arts that many internet pioneers have admired in recent times. The recent technical surge in computer software has facilitated the digital drawing process for many people.
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| What is digital drawing and its most important tools and programs and how to learn it |
If you are a fan of drawing and want to move on with your talent for the digital age, this field will like you very much. Also if you like drawing but your manual skills in it are modest, digital drawing will help you make great paintings easily.
In this article we introduce you to the world of digital drawing, and how you can make great beautiful art paintings in the easiest possible ways.
What is digital drawing?
Digital drawing is drawing by using electronic devices instead of drawing in the traditional image based on pens and traditional paintings.
The electronic devices you can use in digital drawing are:
- A digital drawing device (which has a touch screen and is called a graphic or graphic tablet, and also has an electronic pen).
- Tablets or smart tablet (i.e. Android tablet or IOS).
- Smart mobile phone.
You can use the tablet or smartphone for digital drawing directly. For digital drawing tablets, they must be connected to a computer or smart laptop for you to use.
If you have difficulty understanding the previous phrase don't worry, we will explain in detail how each device works in the field of digital drawing.
Can paintings be made on non-touch computers? Yes, but this may be a little harder than the previous methods, yet complete it as we will explain later.
Digital drawing is known online as:
- Digital art (generic name)
- Digital drawing
- Digital painting
There is a significant difference between software that is used for drawing on computer such as graphic software, etc., and digital drawing. Although computer drawing software is a digital drawing tool, the end product varies between the two.
Digital drawing software enables you to draw accurately, almost identical to hand drawing. This is because it is based on drawing pens designed for digital drawing, and you can capture the movement of your hands with extreme accuracy and transfer them to the software dedicated to digital drawing with extreme accuracy.
Of course there are software on the computer that enables you to create a beautiful image, but it is limited when compared to digital drawing software.
Figure drawing can be considered as a combination of human hand creativity and modern technical features.
Digital Drawing Tools
Literally you can digitally draw on any device that has a touch panel, however there are hardware dedicated to this purpose and its functioning and performance varies from one device to another.
We will start by mentioning the well-known tools in this field that most digital artists use, after which we will try to offer some economic ways to enter the digital drawing field simply or as a hobby.
For programmes; Most photo editing software is compatible with digital drawing tools, but we will mention the best of these tools later in today's article.
Now, come together to learn about digital drawing tools:
1. Tablet for graphics and graphics (for drawing and presentation)
This device approaches its shape and design to tablets powered by well-known operating systems such as Android or IOS. The fundamental difference in this device is that it is a touch screen that is connected to the computer or to a mobile phone.
For you to draw on this machine you will need to use your drawing pen which is usually sold with the machine.
Using the device is easy, you will need to connect it to your computer or mobile phone and open the software through which you will draw. The device will act as another screen for your device but it is a screen that responds to your drawing through its own pen.
This type of device is known in this field as graphic tablet, and it is considered the preferred device for digital painters and animators because it shows what they draw on its screen directly and on the screen of the device to which it is connected in that one.
Important note: Most digital drawing devices are called tablet or tablets, however, they are not similar to knowledge tablets, they do not contain a processor, memory or any components that enable you to operate them individually, and they must be connected to a computer or mobile phone for you to use.
2. Custom tablet for digital drawing only
The digital drawing device or drawing tablet is similar to its graphics and graphic counterpart in the following aspects:
- It must be connected to another device so you can use it (through a connecting cable or via Bluetooth).
- The drawing on it is done through a pen (attachment with machine).
The only difference is that the digital drawing device does not display what you draw on, that is, it is not considered a separate screen.
Using this device is similar to its previous counterpart with the difference that the user draws on it while the graphics appear on the screen of the connected device, the device can be connected to any computer, mobile phone or ordinary tablets.
The two previous devices are the two official devices for professionals in the field of digital drawing, if we want more accuracy, the graphics tablet and graphic tablet display is used by professionals and workers in big companies because its price may be a bit high.
The digital drawing device or drawing tablet is highly popular among independent digital artists, and although there are types of this device whose prices may be expensive, the majority of devices belonging to this category are considered cheap.
In the coming lines we address some economic options that by entering the world of digital drawing with tools already available to you.
There are a large number of companies that make the most famous and best-known digital drawing tablets in this field are:
Important note: Most previous companies manufacture drawing tablet and graphic tablet, as we have shown the fundamental difference between the two devices. To avoid any confusion between the types of devices we advise you to review the specifications of the device you will buy (and classify it) accurately before purchasing it.
Alternative solutions and devices to enter the world of digital drawing
1. Smart tablet (tablet)
In general you can use any tablet you have for digital drawing, this is not an exaggeration but this method is very prevalent in this area, you do not need to use your tablet for digital drawing any tools other than a custom pen for this field.
There are a variety of pens for digital drawing, there are electronic pens and regular ones. Of course each pen is different from the other even within one category, you will need to know which pen is right for you and compatible with your tablet.
Of course being a touch screen tablet you can use a large number of tools to handle it and some already do. I have seen online alternative solutions for an e-pen or drawing pen but unfortunately most of them are not suitable for digital drawing and we do not recommend using any of them.
Note that the digital drawing pen is designed to handle your screen accurately without causing any scratches, there are cheap types of digital drawing pens that perform their role in an excellent manner and not exceeding the price of US $10.
You can use your smart tablet for digital drawing in two different ways:
Method 1: It is used for digital drawing directly, in other words you will draw and edit your drawings on it, this can be completed by programs such as:
Top links are software links for Android, but most previous programs are available on Android and IOS for free on each system's store.
If you are looking for more software we will mention several other programs that have copies on phones and mobile devices in the section of digital drawing software.
Method 2: By installing a specific program on the tablet and on another computer and connecting both devices to each other. These programs will turn your tablet into a custom tablet for digital drawing, and make your computer handle it on this basis.
VirtualTablet Lite is the most important program, almost the only one that enables you to convert any tablet to tablet for digital drawing, the software is available a paid version that offers a greater number of tools and features priced around $5.
The software explains the steps to install and use it on tablet and on computer, which are easy steps that do not need any technical skills.
2. Economic options for digital drawing tools
The advantage of digital drawing is that it basically depends on the touch screen, in other words any touch screen you own you can use to make great digital panels.
Of course the official organs of this field that we mentioned at the beginning of the article enjoy the features dedicated to this field such as:
- sensitivity.
- precision.
- Fully compatible with digital drawing software.
However if you have a smartphone you can use it in digital drawing, you can draw directly with your fingers (although we don't recommend it), buy a digital drawing pen and use one of the digital drawing software compatible with your mobile operating system.
If you own a laptop computer with a touch screen, you can buy any custom digital drawing pen and install one of the digital drawing programs that we will mention in the next section of the article.
Best Digital Drawing Software
1. Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop from Adobe is the leading software in image modification, as can be relied upon in digital drawing.
Photoshop is the best suitable software for digital art as it enables you to do anything you want in this field, the software can be relied upon for drawing, coloring and editing as its tools are constantly updated.
Photoshop provides other features such as compatibility on most operating systems and devices, i.e. you can use it at any time and on any device making reliability high.
Adobe does not provide a free rate plan for using Photoshop (or most of its software), you will need to pay a monthly subscription of about $21 to be able to use Photoshop.
If you want to explore Photoshop's digital drawing capabilities, you can take advantage of the free trial period that it offers, the one-month period only, available for all Adobe programs and all its tools without limits.
2. Clip Studio Paint
Do you fancy drawing Japanese comics (manga) and their character? So this is the perfect program for you, the Clip Studio Paint program specifically designed for Japanese comic-makers.
The software can sense the sensitivity of your use of the electronic drawing pen very accurately, helping you to draw on it easily. The software site provides a special section for annotations, which helps you understand everything about how to use software from starting to professional.
The software has two copies that provide professional features for digital painters and another version with fewer features and tools. The purchase price for a premium professional version or EX is $219, the regular professional version or PRO is $50.
You can subscribe to the monthly software plan that starts at $1 per device, finally the program gives you a trial period for both paid copies, the trial period is one to three months in which you can use all professional features for free.
3. Krita
krita software is a favorite software for professionals in the field of digital drawing, other than being completely free. The program provides a large number of tools and benefits in the field of digital drawing.
The most important feature provided by the software is the brush stabilizer, which helps stabilize your drawing movement.
In other words, even if your hands are unstable and constantly moving, your drawings will come out naturally on the software, this feature provides three varied levels from which you can choose the right one for your hand movement.
The tool has many other features such as:
- A large number of lines.
- The possibility of adding lines and graphics from external sources.
- Variety of drawing and coloring brushes.
The software is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating system, and the program has a special section through which you can buy educational tools and cylinders for painting art and tools to help you bring more creativity to your digital graphics.
4. MediBang Paint Pro
Clip Studio Paint is the best tool for drawing Japanese comics and their character but unfortunately it's not free. MediBang Paint Pro offers you everything that Clip Studio Paint offers in the field of Japanese digital drawing and is more free of charge.
The software has a huge number of features and important tools in the field of digital drawing and most importantly it is easy to use, also this software may be highly suitable for devices with weak technical gear as it does not consume hardware resources intensively.
The program's location is primarily educational, and in this aspect it outperforms most similar digital drawing software sites. The site provides a huge number of articles that offer digital drawing explanations and ways to use editing software through articles on the latest technology in this field.
The most important feature of this site is the section on digital drawing materials and files that the site allows users to download for free. Finally the software is compatible with all operating systems and devices, which is rare in free digital drawing software.
A professional version of the software offers many exclusive features such as the number of larger drawing brushes and cloud storage space for graphics, cloud storage space is what controls the price of the professional version of MediBang Paint Pro.
You can buy the professional version plus 20 GB of cloud storage for $19 paid once a year. If you want to get more storage, you will pay about $29 for 100 GB or $60 for 300 GB.
Digital Drawing Learning Sources
There are three sources you can rely on to learn the digital drawing and professionalism of the software you rely on to make and edit images:
- Distance learning sites (Yodemi - Corsera - Skill Sher and others).
- Sites specializing in digital drawing education.
- YouTube.
First, the most important training courses on distance learning sites
1. Create Art Digitally: The Ultimate Course
Submit this course to you for a number of reasons:
- The course explains the basics of digital drawing on most of the digital drawing programs we mentioned in this article.
- The duration of the course is only one and a half hours.
- Explanation of drawing on digital cloth or Digital Canvas.
- Teach how to use digital drawing brushes and color selection tools.
Create Art Digital: The Ultimate Course is available on the popular Yodemi website for about 180 Egyptian pounds for a limited time.
2. Complete Beginner’s Guide to Digital Art
Well, I don't consider my opinion in evaluating this course to be very impartial because I personally admired its content and features, which include:
- Explain the basics of drawing lines digitally.
- Teaching the basics of digital coloring.
- Teaching drawing lines and shapes through observation.
- Teaching the basics of using digital drawing programs.
- Explanation of the relationship between lines and forms.
- Teaching drawing simple shapes.
Complete Beginner's Guide to Digital Art is available on the popular Yodemi website for about 180 Egyptian pounds for a limited time.
3. Graphic Design Specialization
Graphic Design Specialization is not a single course but it is a complete educational path, the track has 4 training courses per course certificate of completion and independent tests, the courses are:
- Graphic design essentials and drawings.
- Entrance to the field of electronic printing.
- Entrance to the field of image making and modification.
- Ideas from history about graphics and graphic design.
The graphic and graphic field is essentially linked to the digital drawing field, so this course is important for those wishing to enter this area, the course is only available on the Corsera website.
You can get this and many other routes within the Coursera Plus website subscription for $60 per month. You can also view the course during the 7-day trial period offered by the site.
4. Procreate: Draw, Sketch, Paint, and Design on Your iPad
This course is dedicated to teaching digital drawing on iPad using the popular Procreate software.
The course moves you from the junior to the professional category quickly in the field of digital drawing due to its advantages:
- Teach how to make digital drawing brushes.
- Learn all the tools in Procreate software.
- The course was updated during this year to include the latest features and technologies of digital drawing on Procreate software.
- The evaluation of the course is high, reflecting its quality in the field of digital drawing.
Procreate: Draw, Sketch, Paint, and Design on Your iPad is available on the popular Yodemi website for about 230 Egyptian pounds for a limited time.
Second most important digital drawing learning sites
1. Ctrl+Paint
The Ctrl + Paint website has a huge number of videos explaining the basics of digital drawing, the site's video library also contains tutorials dedicated to drawing particular shapes, and lessons that help you use digital drawing tools from graphic brushes and otherwise.
The site is a digital drawing forum in which artists share their views on the lessons on it. Most of the content of the site is free, but it contains a number of training courses paid for at prices starting from $10.
2. Paintable
Paintable has a free 5-day training course that explains the basics of digital drawing excellent, you can get the course by registering and adding your email address and the course will be sent to you in moments.
The site provides a huge number of articles that help you to excel and develop in the field of digital drawing, as well as the site has a private server communication on the popular Discord app to allow its users to communicate with each other directly.
Finally the paintable website offers the possibility of loading a huge number of digital drawing tools and materials for free such as drawing brushes and lines.
Third sources of learning digital drawing via YouTube
1. Proko Channel
Proko Channel is a digital drawing artist channel called Stan Prokopenko, the channel has a huge number of videos that explain to you different digital drawing methods.
The channel teaches you how to draw the characters of American and Japanese comics, otherwise the channel provides an explanation of areas related to the field of painting in general such as anatomy and others.
Finally, the channel is not based solely on Stan's style, but is shared by a large number of digital artists in explaining their methods of digital painting.
2. Channel Ross Draws
The Ross Draws Channel is one of the most important digital drawing learning channels on YouTube, the channel may not be professional for some but it contains a huge number of videos in which Ross explains different ways to draw particular images.
From drawing cartoons to humans and animals, the channel's content in digital drawing is diverse and arduous.
Conclusion
In this article we have provided you with all the information you need to know about the field of digital drawing, this field is very similar to the field of digital design and photo editing, but it basically depends on the creativity of your hands and the hugeness of your imagination in drawing.
Do you consider that the field of digital drawing may someday replace traditional drawing? Share with us your feedback in this area.
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