Use The Right 2d Digital Art Tools That’s For You!

Every 2d digital artist has his or her own digital art tools of the trade. To say that one digital art tool is better than another is often a mistake because each artist has his or her own preferences.

You, my friend, are not an exception to that rule either! In fact, you will discover that most digital art programs have setting or tools that are similar to other digital programs in one way or another.

Let’s look at the common programs first from the concerns article:

• Adobe Photoshop
• GIMP
• Corel Painter
• Paint Shop Pro

Each of these four digital art software has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, Photoshop has better color manipulation than GIMP. However, GIMP has better filters and, not to mention, that it’s free!

Again, I’m not here to determine which digital art tool is better than another. I’m here to find the similarities between programs that whichever program you decide to pick, you can still do excellent 2d digital art!

Here’s what you need to look for once you start a new document:

1. Finding the brush tool

In any graphics program, you will definitely need to look something to draw with like the Photoshop brush tool, the Painter brush tool, the Paint Shop Pro brush tool, or the GIMP paintbrush. Some of them have extra brushes like the GIMP pencil and airbrush tool.

Take some time and experiment with it after you find it!

Most of the time, the paint brush will give you plenty of options to play with. You can change the size of the brush, the type of brush used, and you can even change how the brush behaves.

For example, you can even create GIMP brushes with the GIMP brush editor.

For further control, you can also learn how to create custom GIMP brushes. As of October 24, 2007, scalable GIMP brushes is a helpful option should you decide to use GIMP! While you're at it, learn about creating custom Photoshop brushes too.

For me and for you, the most common options you will definitely need to use are the pressure sensitivity options.

Usually, it’s given out in a percent so you can give a constant level of pressure when you need it. If not, there is an icon that turns on the build in pressure sensitivity of the digital stylus pen (if you decide to use it).

2. Finding the eraser

If you’re painting, you will make mistakes right? That’s why you need something to undo the mistakes, of course!

Whether it is the Photoshop eraser, the Painter eraser, the Paint Shop Pro eraser, or the GIMP eraser, the options available are similar in that you can change the eraser type, the eraser size, and the eraser behavior. The difference is, well, finding out the differences between each program!

Play around with it as each digital art tool has their own set of eraser parameters!

Furthermore, just like the paint brush, you can change the pressure of the eraser so you erase just enough without erasing the whole section of the picture!

3. Finding the dodge and burn tool

Beginners will find that this is your key to doing realistic 2d digital art. I use this digital art tool on a regular basis but not as much as the good old paint brush.

Basically, the burn tool will make the colors darker and the dodge tool will make things lighter. Both are found in the same Photoshop dodge tool, under the Painter photo brush in Painter, under the Paint Shop Pro Lighten tool in Paint Shop Pro, or under the GIMP dodge brush in GIMP.

These will give a sense of depth better than just coloring light and shadows manually. But like all tools, you need to know to use it correctly!

Give it a try!

4. Know your layers!

This is what separates a good art program from a bad art program! The layers are perhaps the most important thing about learning to draw digitally. The Photoshop layers, the Painter layers, the Paint Shop Pro layers, and the GIMP layers are arranged slightly differently but still use the same concept. A very important digital art tool, indeed!

What are layers? Well, just think of them as transparent cells that you put on top of each other. That means, if you work on one layer, you won’t affect the other layer physically unless you link them.

For example, if you draw random scribbles on one layer, the layer underneath it will not have these scribbles. But depending on the options and transparency, it will interact with layer underneath it.

There is a window that has all the layers that are currently active in the picture and which layer that you are working on. Use these to your advantage!

As with all the digital art tools available, the layers have plenty of options on its own just like the paint brush. Experiment a little so you get used to them. I guarantee you that you will need a few!

Don’t go overboard with the layers, though. They will increase your file size and slow down your computer. It may not be important now, but when you do full size drawings, they will make a difference!

That’s why, although you need layers, don’t depend on them. Remember, you are the artist! Use the paint brushes to its full potential!

5. Finding the rest

Once you learn the basic drawing tools, you may want to look at how you can create depth. For these, you need to understand the blur, sharpen, and smudge tools available in the program you have selected. All three exist under the Photoshop blur tool and under the photo brush in Painter.

After that, one of the few last things you should be aware of are the filters and color management abilities such as the Photoshop eyedropper tool.

Generally speaking, filters only add that extra touch to your painting but shouldn’t be the main focus. Excessive use of the filters will dilute your painting and make it look artificial.

Trust me, people who have experience with 2d digital art will know which filters you used!

Color management is the same thing! Play around with the color settings to find out what you can and can't do for the program that you are using specifically.

As well, be aware of digital art tools that vary from program to program. For instance, Painter has something called the Painter F-X brush. Very fun to play! It is unique to the program itself, but that does not mean you can not emulate it in another program!

An instance of emulation is when you need to create grids for perspective purposes. There's the Photoshop line tool and the Painter perspective grid tool. They behave differently but can be used in a similar fashion to create the same guide lines.

6. What to draw with

Once you explore the art program that you are using, the next step is to decide what you will be using to draw. You can use your trusty mouse or a drawing stylus. It’s up to you.

The most common physical digital art tool is the WACOM tablet. From my experience, you don’t need their top of the line tablet immediately. Originally, I was using the WACOM Graphire tablet.

When I started 2d digital painting in 1999, I had the original Graphire tablet. Although I’ve bought about 3 Graphire tablets over the course of 6 years for separate computers, besides the scratched plastic, none of the tablets have failed on me yet.

Just recently, I have purchased a WACOM Intuos tablet. It is better than the Graphire simply because of the 1024 points of pressure sensitivity. All other features are a bonus. As a digital painter, it does make a difference!

Take my advice: if you’re planning on getting a tablet, whether it’s from WACOM or another company, be simple and get one that has high levels of pressure sensitivity without being extravagant.

Regardless, once you have your program and stylus of choice, you can start learning to paint as soon as possible. Always have fun with the digital art tools available and keep motivated!

Return from Digital Art Tools to the 2d Digital Art Guide.

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