When I created my first digital art piece over 7 years ago, I wasted months to YEARS doing things the hard way. Here are the main lessons I learned that will save you years of stress from your art journey:

1. Your tools don't matter as much as you think.

I spent hours mindlessly trying to find the "best drawing tablet" or the "best digital software" for creating my artwork. The truth is, anything works when you're starting out. The fundamentals however — line confidence, value, composition — are universal.

2. Study real things, not just other art.

Copying your favorite artists is fun (and I did this with embarrassing frequency), but your growth comes from when you start referencing life and photos. Train your eye to see shapes, light, and shadow in the real world.

3. Finish pieces, even bad ones.

The temptation to abandon a drawing halfway through is massive, and it is something I still struggle with today. You have to fight it. Not only do you end up learning more by finishing a piece, you build up the discipline and work ethic needed to continue to develop your skills.

I run hands-on workshops for beginner digital artists at AERKOR Art Studio. If any of this resonated, check it out!