Digital art can feel like a whole new world if you’re used to traditional painting (especially if you’re a watercolor lover like me). But here’s the thing—whether you’re working with real paint and paper or a tablet and stylus, the fundamentals of art don’t change. Color, composition, and texture still matter. The only difference is the tools you’re using. Today, I’m sharing six digital art tips for beginners (from someone who has definitely been in your overwhelmed shoes!).

What is Digital Art?

Digital art is any artwork created using digital tools instead of traditional ones like paint, paper, or pencils. This includes illustrations, graphic design, concept art, and even digital watercolor painting. Artists use tablets, styluses, and drawing software like Procreate, Photoshop, or Clip Studio Paint to bring their ideas to life.

Invest in Basic Equipment

You don’t need the most expensive tablet or stylus to create beautiful digital art, but having the right tools can make a huge difference. If you’re serious about digital painting, here’s what I recommend:

• A Tablet With Pressure Sensitivity: The iPad Pro is a great option, but there are others out there too! Pressure sensitivity allows you to control how thick or thin your strokes are, just like with a real brush.
• A Quality Stylus: The Apple Pencil is the best option for iPad users, while Wacom and Huion offer great styluses for other tablets. (Trust me, drawing with your finger just isn’t the same!)
• A Drawing App That Fits Your Style: Procreate is my go-to for digital painting (it’s intuitive and has amazing brush options), but Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint are also great for more advanced editing.

Before you invest in expensive tools, try out different apps and styluses to see what feels most comfortable for you.

Now, let’s get into those digital art tips for beginners!

1. Practice Layering and Blending Techniques

One of the biggest perks of digital art is the ability to work with layers. Layers let you separate different parts of your painting, so you can adjust or erase without messing up your whole piece. One of my favorite digital art tips is to use layers strategically to build depth and make edits easier. 

Pro Tip: Use multiple layers for different elements. Keep your background, main subject, and details on separate layers. This way, if you need to change something, you won’t have to start over.

If you’re coming from a watercolor background, think of layers like glazing—each new layer builds depth and dimension in your artwork.

2. Play with Brushes and Textures

One of the most exciting parts of digital painting is the endless variety of brushes. From watercolor textures to pencil sketches, there’s a brush for everything. But here’s the secret: you don’t need hundreds of brushes to make great art.

Here’s a few pieces of advice:

• Start with a basic set (a soft round brush, a textured brush, and a detail brush). Learn how they work before downloading every brush pack out there.
• Experiment with pressure sensitivity by adjusting your brush settings. This can help mimic real paint strokes. Try different opacity and flow settings to see how they affect your brushwork.
• Use texture brushes to add depth. Just like in watercolor, texture brings a painting to life. Try grainy or paper-textured brushes to give your digital painting a more natural feel.

By keeping things simple and focusing on how each brush works, you’ll develop a stronger understanding of digital techniques and how to make your artwork feel more organic.

3. Understand the Color Wheel and Color Harmony

I think that everyone needs to understand this (whether you’re looking for digital art tips for beginners or are looking to create art IRL). Just like with traditional painting, understanding color theory is key to creating beautiful digital art. Digital tools make it easier to adjust and experiment, but knowing the basics will help you make intentional choices.

Here are the bare-minimum things to keep in mind:

• Too many colors can make a piece look chaotic. Choose a few harmonious colors and build your painting around them.
• Colors opposite each other on the color wheel (like blue and orange) complement each other and create striking contrasts that add vibrancy to your artwork.
• Use warm and cool tones for depth. Just like in watercolor, mixing warm and cool colors adds a sense of light and shadow to your digital pieces.

If you want to take your color skills even further, my course The Art Within is perfect for you. It teaches blending techniques, fundamentals, and how to take your ideas and turn them into unique, personal work—so you’re not just copying tutorials but actually creating art that feels like you.

4. Take Time to Learn Keyboard Shortcuts

If you’re working on a desktop or using Photoshop, learning keyboard shortcuts will save you so much time. I can’t stress this enough. Instead of clicking through menus, shortcuts let you switch tools, undo mistakes, and adjust settings instantly. One of the best digital art tips I have is to memorize the shortcuts you use most often. 

5. Work at a High Resolution

Next on my digital art tips list is one mistake beginners often make: working at a low resolution. This can make artwork look blurry when printed or resized. Always start with a high-resolution canvas.

Here are a couple of guidelines to keep in mind:

• 300 DPI for Print-Quality Artwork: If you ever want to print your art, this ensures crisp, detailed images.
• 2000×2000 Pixels or Larger for Digital Use: A larger canvas lets you zoom in and add finer details without losing quality.

Pro Tip: If your app allows it, also work in RGB mode for digital art and CMYK mode for print to ensure accurate colors.

6. Take Breaks to Avoid Digital Eye Fatigue

Last but not least? Take breaks. Staring at a screen for hours can be exhausting (and can make you second-guess your color choices). Taking breaks is just as important in digital painting as it is in traditional art, and it’s one of the most overlooked digital art tips for maintaining focus and creativity.

Digital Art Tips for Beginners

With these digital art tips, my hope is that you now have the tools and confidence to create artwork that feels true to you—whether you’re painting with pixels or pigments. The beauty of digital art is that it gives you room to experiment without limits, letting you push your creativity in new and exciting ways. Don’t be afraid to explore different brushes, play with color, and make mistakes (because even in digital, mistakes can lead to breakthroughs!).

The more you practice, the more you’ll refine your style and discover what truly inspires you. Keep creating, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process—because every brushstroke, whether on a screen or paper, is a step forward in your artistic journey! If you want a little more guidance on where to start (and what to create), grab my Creativity Playbook here!