Digital Illustration Techniques

Digital illustration has hit the world by storm in the last ten years. This style of artistry is emerging as one of the most popular and widely known illustrations featured in movies, comic books and websites, in which it is commonly the main focus. The following highlights what digital illustration is all about and techniques that professionals use to create such unique works of art.

What digital illustration is

Digital illustration is basically defined as creating art through a digital medium. Typically the digital medium that creates such art is a computer with an illustration or image editing software installed. Two of the most popular types of software that digital illustrators use are Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. The illustration software used in conjunction with the artist's imagination and technique create astounding works of art in both a 2D and 3D medium.

Tools used by the pros

Professional digital illustrators not only use illustration and imaging software for their designs, but they also use a variety of other tools to create their designs and images. One tool that is essential for any digital illustrator is a strong graphics tablet with a drawing pen. The pen does not really have any ink, but the tablet with the pen allows an illustrator to draw hands-free as if on paper. Any images drawn on the tablet are then available for uploading into imaging software for further manipulation. Another great tool for illustrators is a plain old pen and paper. Many illustrators combine these 'old school' drawings with Photoshop to add crisp, clean colors and alter the drawing with designs and images.

Techniques used by the pros

Altering images by creating layers is a common way in which to create a new piece of digital art. Layers form the many colors and pieces of a digital illustration. By having each piece of an illustration on a separate layer, it makes it easier for the illustrator to go back and alter a portion of the artwork they need to change. Another technique for creating unique digital illustration is the use of brushes. Adobe Photoshop offers a wide variety of shapes and colors to use when creating an illustration. By using these brushes, an illustrator is able to change the textures and colors of a picture with the click of a mouse.

Learning the techniques of a digital illustrator takes practice and patience. There are many online tutorials and local college classes available to teach this wonderful, new form of art. Digital Illustration techniques are a fun and exciting way to breathe new life into old pictures.