3 Must Have Tools for Creating Digital Art

Let's first address the giant elephant in the room - I am in no way an expert on anything except, according to my teenagers, annoying and embarrassing them on the daily.  I don't pretend to be an expert on digital art, just someone who has done the thing and sold a few designs and absolutely loves what I do every day.  

So why even write a blog?  Well, it's simple.  Learning to do digital art is not an easy task, and when you start, the old adage of "you don't know what you don't know" really comes into play.  The 3 must haves that I'm highlighting today are honestly things I wish I had known about when I first started. I hope this blog will help you in your digital art journey and these must haves will be useful if you're just starting out.  Drawing your own digital art is such a skill that requires practice and patience and if these 3 must haves will help, then my blog has done its job.

First and foremost, I use Procreate on an iPad with an Apple Pencil.  I know there are other designing programs and even tablets out there, but what I've found works best for me is Procreate, my trusty old iPad 10 and my USBC Apple Pencil.  Ultimately, the tools I'm highlighting can be applied to other tablets, pens and programs.  

Please note that I don't have any affiliate links in this blog post.  The products I'm using and highlighting are my opinion and based solely on my own personal experience and use. 

Tool #1:  A Paper Feel Screen Protector

Drawing on glass really stinks.  Not literally. but for real, using an Apple Pencil on glass is awful.  A dear friend mentioned to me about a "paper feel" screen for my iPad so I thought, what the heck and let me tell you - GAME CHANGER!

Drawing on a paper feel screen protector creates a type of friction that mimics sketching on paper.  I personally invested in the pricey Paperlike screen, and when I had checked out at the store, the clerk mentioned that he used it for taking notes in school - I have made a mental note for when the kids head off to post-secondary school.

There are lots of options for the paper feel protectors.  Amazon has tons.  Do the research, read the reviews and trust me when I say this....watch the application videos multiple times before attempting to put it on your tablet.  You will thank me later.

Tool #2:  A Drawing Glove

I'm a lefty and because of this, I tend to drag my hand over what I've sketched out.  Procreate has hand gestures and of course, drawing without a glove means I run the risk of accidentally erasing or removing what I've just sketched.  I've done it too many times to count.  When I saw a digital artist in a TikTok video wearing one, I immediately jumped to the comments to find out what in the world she had on.  Like the paper feel screen protector, this too is a GAME CHANGER!  Your hand glides so smoothly across the screen and it works amazingly well for lefties.  I purchased my first drawing glove off Amazon and used it for a few months, but it wasn't for me, so I invested in the pricier Paperlike drawing glove and I'm so glad I did.  It's far more fitted and works way better for my small hands.  Do your research, check Amazon, talk to other digital artists and see what they suggest.  You may have to try a few, but when you find the one that works for you, you'll know.  

Tool #3:  Extra Pen Tips:

Using a paper feel screen protector is a game changer for sketching, but I have found that one of the few drawbacks of having that added friction is that it does wear down your pencil tips faster.  Fortunately, Apple Pencil tips are not overly expensive and if you order them directly from the Apple Store online, they'll get to you within a day or 2.  I ordered a pack of 4 for $25 and they were delivered to me the next day (with free shipping - woot woot).  For me the trade off of having to change out my pencil tip more often for an easier drawing experience was a no-brainer, but if that's not something you want to do, I get it.  I do 100% standby my previous statement that drawing on glass stinks, but everyone has their own preference.

I'm sure there are a hundred more tools I could list, but these 3 were the ones that stood out to me as the most helpful, especially for beginners.  Had I known about the paper feel screen protector and the drawing glove when I first started, I would have saved myself a lot of aggravation and time.  Enjoy the journey of creating your digital art.  Until next time.

xoxo

Jess

Please note, the opinions and tips are based solely on personal experience.  I am not an expert or claim to be an expert.  Please do not use this blog as a form of counsel or advice.