A lot of people ask me where to start with digital art! It can be very overwhelming in the beginning, so this is an understandable question. The first and most important thing is getting somewhat comfortable with digital tools. In order to do this, I recommend just doodling and sketching for a while. Try not to use too many tools or filters – just get used to the flow of sketching, and then you can slowly learn about the rest. I definitely recommend checking out Loish’s Digital Art School, which has free video tutorials that you can follow along with, as well as brushes and step-by-steps! In general, be patient – it can take a while to familiarize yourself with the tools. It took me a very long time and lots of trial and error to get there!
Learning to draw
When is it too late to learn?
If you’re asking yourself whether it’s too late to learn digital art, you are not alone! Lots of people have asked themselves this. I personally don’t believe there is any point where it is ‘too late’ to learn something new, and I think it’s always rewarding to pursue something that sparks your creativity and allows you to express yourself – no matter what age. It’s also never too late to pursue a career as an artist. Having said that, each area of the creative industry is different. Some art jobs depend on an influx of young interns and it’s hard to get your foot in those kinds of places, but those are not the only opportunities that exist for artists! Everyone’s story is different, and everyone has different situations they’re dealing with or challenges that they face – so there’s not one set of rules that determine whether you will be successful as an artist. The main advice I can give is to develop your knowledge at your own pace and find what works best for you, rather than feeling the pressure to learn every single trick in the book. If you want to know more about my thoughts on this topic, check out this conversation between me and my friend Iris Compiet, who found her career path in her late 30’s.