How to Draw Digital Art: Procreate, Krita & Tablet Setup for Beginners
Key Takeaways
- Start with a simple tablet like a Wacom Intuos (starting at $79) or an iPad with Procreate ($12.99 one-time fee) to keep costs low.
- Master layers and blending modes first—they’re the backbone of digital art.
- Use the 70-30 rule: spend 70% of your time on sketching and refining, 30% on final rendering.
- Practice daily for 15 minutes with gesture drawing to improve hand-eye coordination.
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Introduction
I’ve been teaching digital art for six years, and the biggest mistake I see beginners make is buying expensive gear before they even know how to draw a straight line. You don’t need a $3,000 Cintiq to start. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from choosing a tablet to finishing your first illustration—without the hype.
Step 1: Choose Your Hardware (Don’t Overthink It)
You have two main options: a drawing tablet (like Wacom or Huion) or a tablet computer (like an iPad Pro). Here’s the breakdown:
| Device | Price Range | Best For | Key Limitation |
| -------- | ------------- | ---------- | ---------------- |
| Wacom Intuos Small | $79–$99 | Beginners on a budget | Requires a computer to run |
| Huion Inspiroy 2 M | $89–$119 | Budget-friendly with more drawing area | Same as above |
| iPad (9th gen) + Apple Pencil 1 | $329 + $99 | Portability + Procreate | Higher upfront cost |
| iPad Pro + Apple Pencil 2 | $799+ | Professional work | Overkill for learning |
My advice: Get a Wacom Intuos Small if you have a laptop. It’s under $100, and you can learn the basics. If you want to draw directly on screen, grab a used iPad 9th gen from eBay (around $250) and a $99 Apple Pencil. I’ve seen students produce portfolio-worthy work with this setup.
Step 2: Set Up Your Software (Procreate vs. Krita)
Procreate (iPad only, $12.99)
- Pros: Intuitive interface, fast performance, 250+ brushes included, time-lapse recording built-in.
- Cons: Only works on iPad, limited animation features, no custom color palettes (you can import them).
Krita (Free, Windows/Mac/Linux)
- Pros: Completely free, advanced brush engine, supports animation (up to 24 fps), full color management.
- Cons: Steeper learning curve, interface looks cluttered at first, less polished on macOS.
Which to choose? If you have an iPad, pick Procreate. If you’re on a desktop, start with Krita. I use both: Procreate for quick sketches, Krita for detailed illustrations. The skills transfer—layers, brushes, blending are the same concepts.
Step 3: Master the Essential Techniques (In 30 Minutes)
1. Layer Management
Create a new file (1920x1080 px, 300 DPI for print). Add three layers:
- Bottom: Background color (light blue or gray)
- Middle: Sketch layer (set to multiply blend mode, opacity 30%)
- Top: Line art layer (keep this clean)
Pro tip: Name your layers. I once spent 10 minutes searching for a layer called “Layer 7.” Use names like “Sketch” or “Shadows.”
2. Brush Control
Digital art is 80% pressure sensitivity. In both Procreate and Krita:
- Hard brush: For sharp lines and edges
- Soft brush: For shading and blending
- Custom brush: Try “6B Pencil” in Procreate or “Sketchy” in Krita for loose sketches
Exercise: Draw a series of 10 circles freehand. Then draw 10 straight lines. Don’t use stabilizers yet—just your hand. This builds muscle memory.
3. The 70-30 Workflow
1. Thumbnail (5 min): Draw 3 tiny versions of your composition on paper or in a small canvas (500x500 px). Pick the best.
2. Rough sketch (15 min): Use a large brush (size 20+ pixels) to block in shapes. Don’t worry about details.
3. Refine (10 min): Reduce brush size to 10–15 pixels. Add eyes, fingers, or key details.
4. Line art (10 min): Create a new layer. Use a stabilizer (set to 20% in Procreate, 10% in Krita) for smooth lines.
5. Color and shading (20 min): Add flat colors on a layer below your line art. Then add a new layer set to “Multiply” for shadows.
Total time: 60 minutes for a simple portrait. I’ve seen students finish in 45 minutes after a week of practice.
Step 4: Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
- Mistake: Drawing too small. Fix: Zoom in to 200% when adding details. Your canvas should be at least 2000 px wide for any illustration.
- Mistake: Using too many layers. Fix: Keep it under 10 layers for a simple piece. Each layer adds memory usage and confusion.
- Mistake: Ignoring color theory. Fix: Use complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel). For example, blue and orange create contrast. I recommend the “Analogous” color palette in Procreate’s color harmony tool.
Step 5: Practice Routine (15 Minutes a Day)
1. Day 1-7: Draw 10 circles and 10 lines each day. Then trace a photo for 5 minutes.
2. Day 8-14: Draw 5 simple shapes (cube, sphere, cylinder) from imagination.
3. Day 15-21: Draw a human face using the Loomis method (head divided into thirds).
4. Day 22-30: Create one complete illustration per week using the 70-30 workflow.
Real example: My student Sarah went from “I can’t draw a stick figure” to selling her first commission for $50 in 3 months. She used a $79 tablet and Krita.
FAQ
1. Do I need an iPad to start digital art?
No. A $79 Wacom Intuos or $89 Huion tablet works perfectly. You just need a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and free software like Krita. The iPad is nice for portability, but not required.
2. How long does it take to learn digital art?
Most beginners see noticeable improvement in 4–6 weeks with daily 15-minute practice. Mastering fundamentals (anatomy, lighting, color) takes 6–12 months. Don’t rush—I’m still learning after 10 years.
3. What’s the best brush for beginners?
For line art: a hard round brush with pressure opacity (size 10–15 px). For shading: a soft airbrush with 30–50% opacity. In Procreate, use the “Narinder Pencil” for sketching. In Krita, use the “Sketchy” brush under Basic-5. Avoid complex texture brushes until you’re comfortable.
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Final thought: Digital art is 90% practice and 10% tools. A $79 tablet with Krita can produce better results than a $3,000 Cintiq in the hands of someone who draws every day. Start today, keep it simple, and don’t compare yourself to Instagram artists—they’ve been at it for years.