Digital Art

Digital art uses technology as the medium. Drawing tablets replicate the feel of pencil and brush. Software offers unlimited undos, layers, and effects impossible with traditional media. The results can look painted, photographed, or wholly synthetic.

For many artists, digital tools remove barriers. No expensive supplies to replenish, no messy cleanup, no ruined work when experiments fail. The same principles of color, composition, and form apply—you're just working in pixels instead of pigments.

Digital art emerged with computers in the 1960s and exploded with personal computing and graphic software. Early digital work looked distinctly computer-generated, but modern tools enable styles indistinguishable from traditional media—and entirely new aesthetics.

Today, digital art dominates entertainment: games, movies, advertising all rely on digital artists. Independent creators sell digital prints and NFTs. The medium has gone from experimental to essential in a few decades.

Digital art classes teach software basics alongside artistic principles. You'll work on tablets (Wacom, iPad) with applications like Procreate, Photoshop, or free alternatives. The learning curve is partly technical—learning the tools—and partly artistic.

Studios provide tablets and software, so you don't need to invest before trying. If you have your own device, bring it for personalized instruction.

Classes typically run 2-3 hours. Digital art is endlessly tweakable, which means knowing when to stop is part of the lesson. Many students appreciate the forgiving nature of undo buttons.