Software Platform Price Best For Features
Adobe Photoshop Windows, Mac Subscription Professionals, versatility Powerful brushes, layers, effects
Corel Painter Windows, Mac Paid Realistic brush simulation Natural media emulation
Procreate iPad Paid (one-time) Illustrators, portability Intuitive UI, extensive brushes
Clip Studio Paint Windows, Mac, iPad Paid Comics, illustration Vector tools, customizable brushes
Krita Windows, Mac, Linux Free Open source, beginners Custom brushes, animation tools

Essential Hardware for Digital Painting

Hardware Purpose Notes
Graphics Tablet Input device for precise drawing Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen popular
Display Tablet Tablet with screen (e.g., iPad Pro) Direct drawing on screen
Stylus/Pen Pressure-sensitive drawing tool Must support pressure levels
Computer/Tablet Runs software Needs good specs for smooth use
Monitor Calibration Tool Ensures accurate colour display Optional but recommended

Common Digital Brushes & Uses

Brush Type Description Best Uses
Round Brush Soft or hard edged General painting, sketching
Flat Brush Square edges Blocking shapes, textures
Airbrush Soft, gradual coverage Smooth shading, gradients
Texture Brush Patterned or textured strokes Adding surface detail
Smudge Tool Blends colours smoothly Soft transitions
Custom Brushes Unique shapes/textures Specialized effects

Digital Painting Workflow

Step Description Tips
Sketching Rough outline of composition Use light opacity, separate layer
Blocking Colours Fill major shapes with base colours Use flat brushes, large size
Refining Add details, shading, highlights Work in layers, zoom in/out
Blending Smooth transitions between tones Use soft brushes or smudge
Final Touches Add effects, textures, adjustments Use adjustment layers, filters

Layer Types & Functions

Layer Type Purpose Tips
Sketch Layer Initial drawing Keep low opacity
Colour Layer Base colours Use separate layers per element
Shading Layer Shadows and highlights Use multiply or overlay modes
Adjustment Layer Colour correction, contrast Non-destructive editing
Effect Layer Special effects (glow, texture) Use sparingly for impact

Colour Theory & Palettes

Colour Scheme Effect Uses
Monochromatic One hue, different shades Elegant, unified look
Complementary Opposite colours on colour wheel High contrast, vibrant
Analogous Neighboring colours Harmonious, calming
Triadic Three colours evenly spaced Balanced, colourful
Custom Palettes Tailored to project theme Brand colours, mood setting

Troubleshooting & Tips

Problem Cause Solution
Laggy Brush Strokes Low system specs or high resolution Lower canvas size or brush quality
Colour Looks Different Monitor calibration issue Calibrate monitor or proof colours
Brush Not Responsive Software glitch or driver issue Restart app or update drivers
Overworking Artwork Excessive detailing Take breaks, use layers to test
File Size Too Large High resolution & many layers Merge layers, reduce resolution

Exporting & File Formats

Format Description Best Use
PSD Photoshop native, layers preserved Editable files
TIFF High quality, supports layers Printing, archiving
JPEG Compressed, no layers Web use, sharing
PNG Lossless compression Web with transparency
GIF Animated or simple web graphics Animation or limited colours

Resources & Learning

Resource Type Description Notes
Online Tutorials YouTube, Skillshare, Udemy Wide range of skill levels
Community Forums DeviantArt, ArtStation, Reddit Feedback and networking
Brush Packs Custom brushes downloadable Extend creative options
Software Documentation Official manuals and guides Essential for mastering tools