What is Digital Art? A Guide to this Creative Medium

In fact, digital art is a creative medium in its own right. It’s not tied to any specific software, technique or medium. Instead, digital artists use various online tools as well as traditional media to express themselves and produce beautiful artwork. Even though the appearance of this kind of art might be computer-generated, there are real people behind it – and they use creativity and imagination to create these images.

Digital art may be virtual but it’s still art nonetheless. As you read on you will learn more about what digital art is and the different types of this creative medium out there. Whether you want to become a professional artist or simply like experimenting with different styles and techniques, keep reading for useful information on the topic.

What’s the Difference Between Digital Art and Computer Graphics?

Computer graphics (CG) are a visual art and design discipline that uses computers and software to generate visual art. Digital art is a creative medium in its own right, often with no relationship to computer graphics. In other words, digital artists use various online tools as well as traditional media to express themselves and produce beautiful artwork. Digital art is an artistic expression that happens to be created digitally.

Computer graphics, on the other hand, is computer code used to produce a visual of some kind, like a movie, video game, or graphic design. There are, of course, many similarities between CG and digital art, so a certain amount of overlap is inevitable. For example, the tools and techniques used in both CG and digital art are very similar. In fact, some artists use both disciplines to create their art.

Digital Art Tools and Techniques

Digital art is commonly created using computer software, like Photoshop and Illustrator. However, you can also use other digital tools such as 3D modeling software, web design tools, or even virtual reality goggles. Digital artists often use a combination of these tools to create their art, incorporating various 2D and 3D mediums.

For example, a digital artist could use modeling software to create a 3D scene, then Photoshop to paint on top of the image. Mixing different tools and software is one of the unique aspects of making digital art. The digital tools used for creating digital art can be broken down into 3 categories: Software, Hardware, Internet-based tools

Types of Digital Art

There are several types of digital art, each with their own specific style, purpose, and techniques. Here are some of the most common types of digital art:

Computer graphics - Computer graphics, or CG, is used to produce computer-generated visuals, like video game characters, special effects, and film scenes. CG is also used to create logos, posters, and other design elements. CG artists use software to create and manipulate images on the computer.

3D modeling - 3D modeling is used to create 3D images and 3D scenes. Artists use software to manipulate 3D models. 3D modeling is often used for video games, architectural designs, and product design.

CGI - Computer-generated imagery, or CGI, is a visual effect created digitally. CGI is used in movies, television shows, commercials, and video games. CGI artists use software to create images and visuals. CGI also refers to the process of creating these visuals.

Visual effects - Visual effects, or VFX, is the process of creating special effects with digital art and software. VFX artists use software to create visual effects for movies, television shows, computer games, and other media.

Animation - Animation is the process of creating moving images using drawings or 3D models. This can happen either manually or automatically using computers and other digital tools. Animation is often used in movies, video games, and other media.

Illustration - Illustration is the creation of images, often with hand-drawn or painted images. Illustrations are often used in books and magazines, advertisements, posters, and other media.

Graphic design - Graphic design is the creation of visual elements used in magazines, advertisements, posters, and other media. Graphic designers use software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well as other digital tools.

Web design - Web design is the creation of websites and digital content for websites. Web designers use software and other digital tools to create the look and functionality of websites.

VR and AR art - Virtual reality and augmented reality art is the creation of art for VR and AR. Artists may use various software and tools to create VR and AR art.

VR and AR engineering - This is the engineering behind VR and AR. Engineers create software, hardware, and other elements that allow VR and AR to function.

Mixed reality art - Mixed reality art is the combination of VR, AR, and other digital mediums. Artists often use VR and AR to create mixed-reality art.

Conclusion

Digital art is a creative medium in its own right. While it's often confused with computer graphics, it's much more than that. In fact, digital art is a creative medium in its own right. It's not tied to any specific software, technique or medium. Instead, digital artists use various online tools as well as traditional media to express themselves and produce beautiful artwork. Even though the appearance of this kind of art might be computer-generated, there are real people behind it – and they use creativity and imagination to create these images. Digital art may be virtual but it's still art nonetheless.

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