Digital painting is an emerging artform in which traditional
painting techniques such as watercolor, oils, impasto, etc.
are applied using digital tools by means of a computer, a
digitizing tablet and stylus, and software. Digital painting
differs from other forms of digital art and computer-generated
art, in particular, in that it does not involve the computer
rendering from a model. The artist uses painting techniques
to create the digital painting directly on the computer.
The main difference between digital and traditional painting
is the non-linear process. That is, an artist can often arrange
their painting in layers that can be edited independently.
Also, the ability to undo and redo strokes frees the artst
from a linear process. But a digital painter must employ many,
if not all, of the techniques and study of a traditional painter.
The digital artist has at their disposal several tools not
available to the traditional painter. Some of these include:
a virtual palette consisting of millions of colors, almost
any size canvas or media, the ability to take back mistakes,
erasures, pencils, spray cans, brushes, combs, and a variety
of 2D and 3D effect tools. A graphics tablet allows the artist
to have very precise hand movement simulating a real pen and
drawing surface
Digital painting thrives mostly in production art. It's most
widely used in conceptual design for film, television and
video games.
Digital painting software such as Corel Painter, Studio Artist,
Adobe Photoshop, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, ArtRage, and openCanvas
give artists a similar environment to a physical painter:
a canvas, painting tools, mixing palettes, and a multitude
of color options.
There are various types of digital painting, including impressionism,
realism, and watercolor.
