The Best Skillshare Courses for Digital Artists

In today's world, artists have many resources available to improve their skills and expand their creativity. One great resource is Skillshare, an online learning platform with thousands of courses on various topics.

Skillshare is an amazing platform for self-taught artists – there’s over 34,000 video courses taught by experts in the field and it’s only $8.25 per month. Currently, they do not offer monthly memberships and only offer an annual subscription ($99.00 billed annually), which is a very affordable way to learn creative skills.

What’s even better is that any these links will give you one month free so you can try and see if online learning with Skillshare works for you!

Skillshare offers an incredible array of courses for digital artists, catering to all skill levels and interests. Whether you're looking to master a specific software, learn new techniques, or expand your artistic repertoire, Skillshare has courses for you that will provide valuable insights and hands-on experience.

We've watched through the art classes on Skillshare and gathered what’s outstanding for you, so you can save both time and money.

Here’s a list of the best Skillshare courses for digital artists.

Is Skillshare good for digital artists?

It depends on your needs and interests – Skillshare might be just perfect for a digital artist who is looking to learn how to use a specific software, get comfortable with new techniques and digital art styles, and get actionable tips on creating a successful art career.

There are a handful of other great e-learning platforms, like Upskillist, Coursera, and MasterClass. While each has their advantages and drawbacks, at the end of the day, it depends on the specific course and instructor, and how well they match your needs. 

If you’d like completion certificates to add to your LinkedIn for employers to see, you might go with Coursera; or if you’d prefer learning from celebrities as they’d keep your attention, MasterClass could be a great option for you. If all these options sound expensive to you, can now get lifetime access to all Upskillist courses for just $99 using our link.

Skillshare sets itself apart by working mostly with creatives and successful YouTubers, so you’re in great luck to get high quality, engaging videos to follow the course. They are big on the community aspect of creativity, and offer thousands of niche classes. You can enroll ina free trial month of Skillshare Premium using this link and watch the class you are interested in, and maybe another one, without having to pay a dime.

Learn to Draw: A Comprehensive Introduction to Drawing Foundations & Style

Does Skillshare have good drawing courses?

The short answer is yes, the long answer is that ultimately, the best drawing course depends on your specific interests, goals, and skill level within digital art. We recommend you to watch the course previews to see if you like the instructor’s style, read course reviews, and consider your personal learning style before selecting a course. Some highly recommended Skillshare courses on drawing for digital artists include:

• Beginner Level: Learning How to Draw

  How to Draw: A Beginner’s Guide

  “Drawing is not a talent. Drawing is a skill you can learn.” Award-winning instructor Brent Eviston guides students through essential drawing skills, from mastering basic shapes to adding detail and texture. Whether you're a beginner or seeking to enhance fundamental skills, this course offers clear and effective instruction to get better at drawing.

  Learn to Draw: A Comprehensive Introduction to Drawing Foundations & Style

  This class is all about honing your drawing skills with engaging exercises and a mindful approach. Perfect for beginners and intermediate artists, you'll explore key topics including lines and shapes, value and form, color and light, portraits, and depth and composition. Beyond realism, this class focuses on understanding the artist's toolkit to express your unique creative vision. Whether digital or traditional, Mimi Chao offers accessible resources and a downloadable workbook ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

Become A Freelance Illustrator: Career Skills

Which course is best for digital artists?

Determining the "best" Skillshare course for digital artists depends on individual preferences, skill levels, and specific areas of interest within digital art. However, some highly recommended Skillshare courses for digital artists include:

• Best Skillshare Courses for Digital Illustrators

  Digital Illustration: Doodles to Designs

  In this class, Jon Burgerman, an artist and illustrator known for bold, fun, and colorful artworks, dives into the world of doodle illustration. No need to stress about being an expert drawer — everything starts with simple doodles in your sketchbook. Using a variety of tools and techniques, this class teaches you to transform these doodles into vibrant illustrations suitable for art prints, screen prints, or even t-shirt designs.

  Character Design Crash Course: Dynamic Design in Four Steps

  This is a series designed for budding cartoonists or those seeking to refresh their character art skills. In this class, Melissa Lee guides you through her four-step process for crafting captivating characters, covering story and concept development, thumbnail sketches, design refinement, and finalization with cleanup and color. Emphasizing the importance of fundamentals, she delves into finding inspiration from other artists and utilizing references effectively. By the end, you'll have a fully colored character ready to enhance your portfolio.

  Become A Freelance Illustrator: Career Skills

  This is a learning path consisting of 3 classes to teach you to attract and manage clients as a working illustrator and creating work (and workflows!) you can be proud of.

• Best Skillshare Courses for 3D Artists

  Create Your First 3D Cat Character With Blender 3D

  This course is designed to guide you through the fundamental aspects of Blender, making it perfect for both beginners and those looking to refine their skills. The highlight of this class is the creation of a lovable kawaii character, with step-by-step instructions to help you master the techniques needed to achieve that perfect cute look.

  Grow Your 3D Art Career: Five Methods To Monetize your 3D Skills

  In this class, 3D artists discover five methods to leverage their skills and experience to generate passive income or establish a full-time career. From freelancing to selling 3D assets, courses, add-ons/plugins, and creating online content, students learn practical strategies applicable to various industries like animation, VFX, and Archviz.

• Best Skillshare Courses for XR Artists

  Unity Basics: A Monetised Android/iOS Game in 4 Hours

  If you’re an XR artist interested in creating a mobile game, this course teaches you to create a simple yet addictive mobile game in just four hours, leveraging the lucrative world of mobile game monetization. Led by expert instructors, students will learn the essentials of game development and monetization, covering topics such as Unity installation, mobile setup, player movement, procedural level generation, menu systems, and implementing Unity Ads.

  Unleash Your Virtual Creations with Unreal Engine

  This is a learning path curated by Skillshare – it involves 4 classes that employs students with everything they need to know about Unreal Engine to bring their imaginations to virtual life.

  Unreal Engine is the leading 3D creation tool for photoreal visuals and immersive experiences. Digital artists use Unreal Engine for XR art, virtual production, and game design.

• Best Skillshare Courses for Animated Art

  Become a 3D Animator: Strategies for Building Your Dream 3D Animation Career

  Join Madison Erwin on a journey through the essentials of the 3D animation industry, tailored to help you carve out your unique path. With insights gained from her own rapid ascent from self-taught hobbyist to animator on projects like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Madison shares invaluable knowledge to kickstart your 3D career.

  In this class, students explore different animation genres, pipeline processes, and roles within the industry, empowering you to pinpoint your ideal career trajectory. From overcoming overwhelm to navigating the learning curve, Madison provides the guidance and insider tips she wishes she had when starting out.

Unleash Your Virtual Creations with Unreal Engine

Best Skillshare Courses on Certain Apps and Software

Skillshare offers a wide range of courses tailored to specific apps and software, catering to different skill levels and interests. Here are some highly recommended Skillshare courses for specific apps and software:

• Best Skillshare Courses on Procreate

  Procreate Dreams: Create Fun Animations on Your iPad

  In this class, students learn how to use Procreate Dreams to create fun animations on their iPad, from short GIFs to full-length movies with scenes and voiceovers. The course covers frame-by-frame and keyframe animation techniques, storyboard creation, adding sound and music, using onion skinning, adjusting easing, and creating scenes. Students navigate Procreate Dreams and keep audiences engaged with their animations.

  By creating a short spaceship movie, complete with sound effects and scene cuts, participants gain hands-on experience. The class is designed for beginners, but experienced animators can also benefit. Essential requirements include an iPad and Procreate Dreams, with optional tools like Procreate and an Apple Pencil. Join this class to bring your illustrations to life and start animating with ease!

  Find your style: paint bird in watercolor, ink, oil painting in Procreate

  In this course, students paint cool illustrations of birds in various styles, including watercolor, ink, and oil painting, using Procreate. Throughout the class, they explore different techniques to discover their own unique style. By the end of the course, participants will have created illustrations suitable for sharing on Instagram, adding to their portfolio, or selling on platforms like Etsy.

• Best Skillshare Courses on Adobe Photoshop

  Learn Adobe Photoshop: Fundamentals for Getting Started

  This is designer Cat Coquillette’s engaging introduction to Adobe Photoshop, the go-to tool for visual editing. With no prior experience necessary, Cat guides you through practical lessons that go beyond just keystrokes, offering real-world applications for your art and career. In this 90-minute class, you learn how to work with layers, combine text and images, make quick photo edits, and add graphic effects.

  Unlock Your Creativity And Make Surrealist Digital Art in Adobe Photoshop

  Explore the world of surreal digital art in Photoshop CC with this easy-to-follow class. Adam Chraibi simplifies the creative process, helping you overcome any creative blocks you may encounter. Learn techniques from famous artists, discover three tips to keep your ideas flowing, and master the art of finding images online, and dive into Photoshop to craft your own imaginative compositions. Best for artists interested in creating vintage or gothic-inspired art.

• Best Skillshare Courses on Clip Studio Paint

  Introduction to Clip Studio Paint: Drawing with 3D Models for Beginners

  Geared toward beginners, aspiring cartoonists, and new webcomic creators, this class utilizes 3D models available on Clip Studio's website and focuses on incorporating 3D models into your workflow, whether as reference images, conceptual bases, or practice aids. If you're already familiar with the basics of CSP and eager to explore its 3D capabilities to improve your drawings, this class is perfect for you. This class offers a collaborative learning experience where feedback and mutual support are encouraged among classmates.

• Best Skillshare Courses on Adobe Illustrator

  Adobe Illustrator CC – Essentials Training

  This course is perfect for beginners to Adobe Illustrator and design, guiding students from the basics to becoming Illustrator superheroes. Participants learn to create icons, logos, postcards, and hand-drawn illustrations using simple shapes, lines, and the Shape Builder tool. The course covers advanced techniques for custom logos, creative brushes, type mastery, masking, and using the pen, pencil, and curvature tools.

  Launch Your Vector Illustration Journey with Adobe Illustrator

  This is a learning path curated by Skillshare – it involves 4 classes that employs students with everything they need to know about Adobe Illustrator to bring their imaginations to life.

  Adobe Illustrator is the leading illustration tool for digital artists to create logos, editorial illustrations, digital artwork, and more.

Procreate Dreams: Create Fun Animations on Your iPad

Business and Lifestyle Courses for Digital Artists

These courses offer valuable insights and practical skills to help digital artists succeed in their business and personal lives. You might want to check out these books if you seek more inspiration!

• Best Skillshare Courses on Finding Your Art Style

  Find Your Style: Five Exercises to Unlock Your Creative Identity

  This course takes the mystery out of finding your artistic style without losing any of the magic. Based on his personal journey of struggling to find his style and ultimately discovering it through experimentation and self-discovery, illustrator Andy J. Pizza shares five hands-on exercises to unlock your artistic identity.

  The class includes step-by-step lessons on unpacking your identity, influences, and experiences; understanding what “good” means to you; translating your taste into your creations; and experimenting to develop your visual vocabulary. Filled with engaging examples, tips, and projects, this course is perfect for designers, filmmakers, writers, and musicians looking to tap into their most authentic and powerful creative work.

• Best Skillshare Courses on Artist Career

  Long-Term Success for Artists: Grow and Maintain Your Income Streams

  This course is ideal for those dreaming of a sustainable and successful creative business. Students learn the basics of building and maintaining creative income streams, focusing on common income categories for artists and the importance of diversifying income. The class covers setting up for success, selling products, illustration work, content creation, and building a realistic timeline.

  By the end of the course, participants will have a plan to prioritize their income streams sustainably. Drawing on nearly four years of experience as a digital artist, content creator, and illustrator, Mimi Purnell provides practical insights for long-term success.

• Best Skillshare Courses on Creative Journaling

  Art Journaling for Self-Care: 3 Exercises for Reflection and Growth

  Join YouTube star Amanda Rach Lee in her art journaling class, perfect for those looking to combine creativity with reflection. Amanda guides you through three of her favorite art journaling exercises, ideal for illustrators, bullet journal enthusiasts, and anyone with a love for Washi tape and stationery.

  This class helps you reflect on the present, envision your future, and process your feelings through mixed-media art. With Amanda's fun and approachable teaching style, you'll learn to use scrap paper and Washi tape in innovative ways while exploring personal joys and challenges. This welcoming class encourages you to use any materials you have and promises a no-pressure, all-fun experience to unlock your creativity and self-expression.

Create Your First 3D Cat Character With Blender 3D

Skillshare can be a valuable tool for digital artists looking to expand their practical knowledge, gain a new skill set, and advance their creative careers. Use our link to start your free trial, and always consider your individual learning needs, budget, and course quality before making a decision.

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