How Anyone Can Make Unique Digital Art Using an iPad + Apple Pencil

I hope this post inspires you to begin or continue creating digital art which creates a positive impact in the world!

Digital Art is for Everyone

It does not matter how much experience you may or may not have with making art. With the right tools and the desire to make digital art, it is possible to make it an enjoyable and fulfilling habit in your life.

If you can get a hold of an iPad and Apple Pencil, you can truly create digital art with unlimited possibilities.

Anyone can make digital art—that includes you, too!

When I first started creating digital art, I was overjoyed at how easy and fun it was. Using my iPad and Apple Pencil to make digital art has brought so much joy into my life.

I made the process of creating digital art a regular habit in my life. Over time, the quality of my art improved.

Creating Unique Digital Art 101

The Possibilities of Procreate

Procreate is by far the best digital art creation app for the iPad. I highly recommend using it. I use Procreate to make logos, banners, buttons, header images, calligraphy, backgrounds, and more.

Procreate is a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Procreate is simple, intuitive, and cheap. Adobe charges about $20-50 per month to temporarily use their applications. You get to own Procreate for life for only a $10 one time purchase.

Kickstart Your Digital Art Using Resources from Creative Market

Creative Market is a great website to buy unique brushes for Procreate. Search “Procreate” to browse all the resources available. You can find some fairly priced resource packs that contain large quantities of useful resources.

One of my favorite resources is this bundle of 111 brushes for lettering and calligraphy.

Even if you don’t want to purchase any brushes, you should still check out Creative Market. Each week, you get to choose 6 resources to download for free.

Put a Spin on It with Pixelmator

I love Pixelmator especially for a few of its built-in special effects. I enjoy using to make mandala art. First you can draw something, or upload a photo into Pixelmator. After that, go to the Paint Brush Icon > Add Effects > Kaleidoscope. The Light Leak and Bokeh effects are also pretty neat.

One of the benefits of the iPad is that you can have two applications open side by side. This is useful when you are using Procreate or Pixelmator to draw something from reference. I used this feature to draw my version of the moon.

Create and Create Some More

Go on ahead—make some art, and then make some more!

You have permission to explore, to play, and to enjoy the process of creating digital art.

When you first get started making digital art, you may get caught up in worrying that your art is not good enough. I encourage your to abandon the idea that what you create has to be perfect. Perfection is NOT your goal. Through taking imperfect action, you will gain confidence and skill in time. Trust that you will improve as you go.

It is more important to be of pure intention than of perfect action. ―Ilyas Kassam

You have permission to create anything you imagine.

You may be asking, what can I do with the digital art I create?

• You can enjoy it yourself and use it for many different purposes.
• You can gift it to your friends and family.
• You can upload it to art marketplaces like Zazzle, Society6, Redbubble, and Threadless, so your art can be printed and sold on various products.
• You can add the digital files to your website’s store or to Etsy to be sold as digital printables. This will allow people to buy high-quality versions of your art, then they can print their own posters.
• You can upload your art to be sold on Creative Market.
• [Insert your chosen use here]. The possibilities are endless.

Thanks for reading this post! I hope it inspired you to go on and begin creating your very own digital art.

(P.S. If you’re interested in me designing something special for you, fill out this form!)