Digital Illustration: Beginner’s Ultimate Guide

Digital illustration has opened up a world of creative possibilities for artists, enabling them to push the boundaries of their imagination. Whether you're a seasoned illustrator or just starting your artistic journey, the digital realm offers a versatile and exciting canvas to explore.

Embrace the tools, techniques, and endless possibilities of digital illustration, and watch as your creative vision comes to life in stunning, vibrant detail. So, pick up your stylus, launch your favorite software, and let your imagination soar in the digital world of art.

Here’s your guide to digital illustration — everything you need to know.

Table of content:

What is a digital illustration?

Types of Digital Illustration

What do you need to get into digital art?

What is the best device to use for digital art?

Where to start digital art for beginners?

Digital Illustration Styles

What is the difference between digital illustration and graphic design?

How to become a digital illustrator

Types of digital illustration jobs

Can I be an illustrator without a degree?

What skills are required to become a digital illustrator?

How much do digital illustrators make?

Digital illustration art by Dominique Ramsey — *Digital illustration art: Mushroom Feast by Dominique Ramsey*

What is a digital illustration?

Digital illustration involves the creation of visual artwork using digital mediums such as computers, drawing tablets, and specialized software. Artists use these tools to craft images, designs, and illustrations, often leveraging a wide range of brushes, colors, and effects to achieve their creative vision.

Digital illustration offers artists the freedom to experiment, make revisions with ease, and explore diverse styles and textures. It has become a vital medium in the world of art and design, enabling artists to express themselves in ways that were once limited to traditional media while offering unique advantages like global collaboration and eco-friendliness.

This art form offers unparalleled flexibility, enabling artists to experiment with colors, textures, and effects, all while benefiting from the convenience of undo functions and layers for seamless revisions. Digital illustration art has found its place in various creative fields, including graphic design, animation, advertising, and concept art, pushing the boundaries of artistic innovation in the digital age.

Digital illustration art by Riska — *Digital illustration art: Sweet Dreams by Riska*

What is digital illustration art?

Digital illustration art is the contemporary form of artistic expression that harnesses the power of digital technology to create stunning visual compositions for the sake of creating art. It encompasses a wide array of styles and techniques, from intricate digital paintings that mimic traditional media to clean and precise vector graphics.

Types of Digital Illustration

Firstly, get familiar with the two types of digital illustration: Vector vs. Raster

Bitmap (raster) graphics are made up of rows of colored pixels that create an image. In their simplest form, bitmaps have only two colors, with each pixel being either black or white. However, more complex images can include many different colors; photograph-quality images may have millions. These formats are GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, XBM, BMP, and PCX and these are what you create using Procreate or Adobe Photoshop.

Vector graphics, on the other hand, are made up of shapes, curves, lines, and text instead of a grid of pixels. This type of graphic is created using mathematical formulas that describe shapes, colors, and placement. Some examples of vector graphic formats are PICT, EPS, and WMF files, as well as PostScript and TrueType fonts. These can be created using GIS and CAD applications or drawing programs like FreeHand.

This blog post focuses on Raster graphics because that’s what I have first-hand experience in, and it’s more popular among the digital illustrators in our community. Do your research and choose what type of digital illustration would best reflect your story!

Vector vs Bitmap, image source: GameDesigning.org

What do you need to get into digital art?

Passion, patience, and love aside, creating digital illustrations requires some hardware and software:

Hardware requirements for digital illustration can vary depending on the software and techniques used. For beginners a drawing tablet, or a drawing monitor (like an iPad) is a great place to start.

The most popular beginner-friendly drawing tablet is Wacom Intuos. This one is on the affordable side and comes with the bluetooth, pressure-sensitive, battery-free Wacom Pen. The application also includes a Digital Painting & Drawing software you can use to start creating without investing in other softwares.

Note that you need to connect your Wacom tablet to a computer or a laptop as the tablet isn’t a screen. With this drawing tablet, you need to look at the computer monitor, and not directly at where your hand is drawing. Wacom Intuos and similar entry-level drawing tablets cost around $40-60.

If you have a higher budget, a graphics drawing monitor or a graphic tablet is probably more favorable as you can draw directly on the screen that is underneath your hand, and you don’t need an additional laptop or computer to create your digital illustrations. The most popular options being iPad, MS Surface Pro, and Wacom Cintiq, I personally love creating digital art on my 9th generation iPad using an Apple Pencil.

An iPad is very intuitive, portable, and so easy to use, and the Apple Pencil is sensitive to pressure and angle — which makes it amazing for drawing and painting. Note that this is a more expensive option than drawing tablets as iPads typically cost around $500 and the Apple Pencil costs $99.

*Digital illustration art: Mexican fried egg art by Leanne Johnson*

Once you get yourself a hardware to create digital art on, you’ll need a software. Two of the most popular illustration software programs among digital illustrators are Procreate and Adobe Photoshop.

Procreate is a drawing and painting application that is available on iPad. It offers an amazing range of features and tools to create your illustrations, such as layers, different brushes, and all kinds of effects to adjust your textures and colors. Note that the app is only available on iPad and costs a one-time payment of $14.

Adobe Photoshop is the second popular option for digital illustration — it’s a software program that’s available for both Mac and PC. Photoshop has a wide range of features and tools to create your illustrations, like layers, masks, and brushes, and possibly more features than Procreate in terms of graphic design, web development, and photo editing. This is the more expensive option as the monthly subscription to the Adobe Creative Suite costs around $20, but it may be worth it if you’re interested in using your software for more than just creating digital illustrations.

What is the best device to use for digital art?

All that being said, we suggest using an iPad with Apple Pencil and Procreate to start creating digital art. These tools are very easy to use and intuitive, and while being extremely beginner-friendly, an excellent range of features is available for when you get better at digital illustration.

Quick note that the device and the software you use is not the make-or-break of your art practice — The the first crypto artist from Africa, Osinachi, creates his artwork using Microsoft Word! He is a self-taught digital artist from Nigeria, and was named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2022 by New African Magazine. His art has led to conversations around NFTs and how they speak to a larger humanity while mirroring his personal experiences through a unique visual language. It’s important to remember that tools are just tools, and creating meaningful art isn’t contingent to the tools you use!

Osinachi’s work has been recently featured in How High The Moon at The NFT Gallery

*Digital illustration art: Tune In To Tune Out, 2023 by Hal Generao*

Where to start digital art for beginners?

Once you get your hardware and software, begin with simple exercises, such as practicing basic shapes, lines, and shading techniques. Follow tutorials on YouTube and online courses offered by digital illustrators you admire can be immensely helpful in learning essential digital art practice. As you progress, start working on small projects and gradually experiment with more complex illustrations. Practice regularly to improve and refine your digital illustration skills!

Learn the fundamentals of art: First understand the basics of art such as composition, color theory, perspective, and lighting. That’s essential in both traditional and digital art.

Practice does make perfect: The only way to improve your digital illustration skills is to keep practicing. Try out your software program’s features, experiment with new brushes, try new things and draw every day.

Build a portfolio: Start gathering your best works either on social media or on a personal portfolio so you can share your collection to showcase the depth and breadth of your skills and abilities when a prospective client reaches out.

Promotion: Create a website, blog, or a social media account to showcase your portfolio. Sharing your work with the world is a big part of a digital illustrator’s life for discoverability as well as being an opportunity to see what people engage the most with and what resonates with others.

Digital Illustration Styles

Now the fun part — once you learn the basics of digital illustration, you can explore and experiment various styles to create art that reflects your personality and the story you’re telling. Some popular digital illustration styles are 2D illustrations, caricature, cartoon, photo-realistic images, digital fashion illustration, anime, and fantasy style for gaming, graphic novels, comics, animation, and film.

Your style will depend on your personal preferences and the project you are working on. Artists you make a living as digital illustrators usually specialize in more than one digital illustration style as different projects require a different stylistic skillset.

*Digital illustration art: Tres Marias, 2021 by Lhean Storm*

What is the difference between digital illustration and graphic design?

Is digital illustration the same as graphic design? Nope! While both fields involve digital tools and creativity, digital illustration leans more toward artistic expression, while graphic design is centered around effective communication and visual problem-solving.

Digital illustration is about creating artwork — the focus is on a single image, with texture, color, and detail. Graphic design, on the other hand, create visuals that communicate a message using elements like color, layout, and fonts.

Digital illustration primarily focuses on creating original artwork and imagery, often with a strong emphasis on artistic expression. Illustrators use various digital tools and techniques to craft illustrations, characters, scenes, or visuals that convey a specific message, tell a story, or evoke emotion.

In contrast, graphic design is about organizing and arranging visual elements to communicate a message or promote a product or idea effectively. Graphic designers use text, images, typography, and layout principles to create cohesive and visually appealing designs for branding, advertising, publications, and digital media.

*Digital illustration art: If I Can’t Have You by Amara Skywalker*

How to become a digital illustrator

Becoming a full-time digital illustrator isn’t easy, but what is? Don’t get discouraged if you feel overwhelmed at first; trust that practice makes perfect. Start with the basics and keep going after your passion — people will resonate with your art.

Begin by honing your traditional art skills, including drawing, painting, and understanding the fundamentals of composition and color theory. These skills will provide a strong foundation for your digital work.

Invest in the right equipment, whether that’s a graphic tablet, drawing tablet, or a monitor with a stylus pen. Select the digital illustration software that best suits your needs and budget.

Start with learning the basics of your chosen software. Learn how to navigate the interface, use layers, create brushes, and understand the tools available. Look up the online tutorials and courses that can help you become proficient with your software.

Dive into digital art techniques specific to illustration, such as line art, shading, blending, and creating textures. Practice these techniques regularly to improve your skills.

Experiment with different illustration styles, from realism to cartoons and everything in between. This exploration will help you discover your unique style as an artist.

Create a digital portfolio to showcase your best work. Include a variety of pieces that demonstrate your range and expertise. Your portfolio will be crucial when seeking freelance work or employment opportunities.

Share your work with online communities, forums, or social media platforms for constructive feedback. Engaging with other artists and learning from their experiences can be invaluable.

Consider enrolling in online courses or workshops that focus on digital illustration. These resources often provide expert guidance and can help you refine your skills. YouTube is an excellent free resource, but it may be worth investing in paid courses if you believe the skills they teach can in return make you a prolific artist with monetizable skills.

*Digital illustration art: Where Did I Go Wrong? By Yosnier Miranda*

The key to becoming a proficient digital illustrator is consistent practice. Dedicate time each day or week to create new art, experiment with techniques, and challenge yourself with diverse projects. Join the Inktober challenge with us!

Attend art-related events, conventions, and online communities to connect with fellow artists. Collaborations and networking can lead to new opportunities and creative growth. Brands, curators, and organizations often discover the artists they would like to commission, showcase, or collaborate with online.

Apply to get featured on Digital Arts Blog! We support digital artists like you by spotlighting those who create meaningful and inspiring work.

Once you feel confident in your skills, start seeking freelance gigs, job opportunities, or commissions. Building a professional reputation can take time, so be patient and persistent.

Stay inspired by exploring various art forms, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and continuously evolving your style and techniques.

Becoming a digital illustrator is a journey that requires dedication, patience, and a passion for art. Remember that improvement takes time, so don't be discouraged by initial challenges. With consistent practice and a commitment to learning, you can achieve your goals and develop a rewarding career as a digital illustrator.

Types of digital illustration jobs

Whether you aspire to work in entertainment, publishing, advertising, or freelance, the world of digital illustration offers a wide array of exciting career paths to explore and thrive in. Some of the common types of digital illustration jobs include:

Graphic designers who create visually appealing designs for print and digital media, like book cover design and illustration
Concept artists who visualize ideas and create storyboards for video games, films, and animation
Children’s book or comic book illustrators who bring stories to life through captivating visuals
Editorial illustrators who produce artwork for magazines, newspapers, and online publications
Character design for animation and gaming
Storyboard artists who visualize scenes for film and television
Digital painters who craft intricate digital artworks for galleries and exhibitions

*Digital illustration art: Andy Warhol by Dean McAdam*

Can I be an illustrator without a degree?

Absolutely! You can pursue a career as an illustrator without a formal degree. While a degree in art or illustration can provide valuable training and exposure to various techniques and styles, it is by no means a strict requirement for success in this field.

Many accomplished illustrators are self-taught or have developed their skills through workshops, online courses, and dedicated practice. What matters most is your passion for illustration, your dedication to improving your craft, and your ability to create compelling and marketable artwork.

Building a strong portfolio, networking with other artists, and seeking freelance opportunities are effective ways to establish yourself as an illustrator without a degree. Your talent, creativity, and commitment will be the driving forces behind your success in this artistic profession.

What skills are required to become a digital illustrator?

Becoming a proficient digital illustrator requires a combination of artistic and technical skills. Firstly, a strong foundation in traditional art principles, such as drawing, composition, and color theory, is crucial.

You should also have a deep understanding of your chosen digital illustration software and hardware, as well as the ability to navigate their interfaces effectively. Proficiency in various digital techniques like linework, shading, and texture creation is essential.

Additionally, adaptability and the capacity to experiment with different styles are valuable traits. Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to accept constructive criticism for continuous improvement are also vital.

Moreover, good communication skills, especially when working with clients or collaborating with other artists, can greatly enhance your career as a digital illustrator.

*Digital illustration art: Beauties of the Black by Designwithmj*

How much do digital illustrators make?

It’s tough to give even a rough number when art is the case — the income of digital illustrators varies greatly depending on their industry, location, and experience.

Your income as a digital illustrator will vary depending on the career path you choose. Even though digital illustrators who work at ad agencies have competitive salaries, freelance artists can charge exponentially increasing numbers for their illustrations depending on their level of experience.

According to Zip Recruiter, the average annual salary for a digital illustrator in the United States in 2023 is $68,813. Freelancers have the potential to earn more through commissions, royalties, and project-based work.

Big clients such as Gucci, Nike, or Apple might pay multiple thousand dollars for one illustration. On the other hand, when you’re working with a small publisher, say for a children’s book, even if they don’t have huge budgets for the work, your work can be compensated with a percentage of book sales if your contract includes royalties.

Ultimately, a digital illustrator's income can vary widely, but it generally reflects their expertise, reputation, and the market they serve.