Want to get into digital art? There are tons of software programs for drawing. You've probably already heard of Procreate or Photoshop... Here, I'll share the tools I use every day to create my digital illustrations.
Whether you are curious to discover the behind-the-scenes of my work or that you look for equipment for you I hope this little list inspires you 💻🖌️
My iPad Pro + Apple Pencil
Since I invested in the iPad Pro, it has become my everyday companion ! It allows me to draw anywhere , whether I am at home , in a cafe or while traveling .
The Apple Pencil is super smooth, responsive, and gives a feeling close to drawing on paper.
I advise you to use a support; it helps to hold it in place and is more comfortable for your posture.
And no, I'm not sponsored... Although I definitely wouldn't say no, Apple, if you're reading this!
👉 Why I love it : freedom of movement , screen quality , super vivid colors.
Procreate
The famous one, the one that definitely convinced me to invest in an iPad. You've certainly heard about it many times, and believe me, there's a reason! It has a super intuitive and user-friendly interface, very beginner-friendly (unlike a certain Adobe suite which can be intimidating for beginners...).
Available only on iOS, it's also compatible with PSD (Photoshop) files and brushes and allows you to create some animations. It has many very practical tools such as layer organization, effects, and more.
👉 What I love :
- The customizable brush library
Quick gestures to cancel or modify (do you also sometimes type twice when you go back to paper? )
- The clean interface that leaves room for creativity - clearly, here, we're talking about less is more!
Quick tip: don't forget to create your illustrations at 300 dpi, it's always good for printing! The iPad screen can also be misleading; the colors are very vibrant, and it won't necessarily look the same on other screens. Remember to check on your phone and computer.
Photoshop ( for post - production)
Once my illustrations are finalized in Procreate, I often export the file to make final color adjustments or prepare the files for printing in Photoshop . It's my go-to tool for professional - looking results ✨
Custom brushes
I use several brush sets that I either created or bought from other artists ( sometimes on Gumroad or Creative Market) .
My favorites are textured pencils (which you can clearly see in my line art) and the famous Syrup brush, integrated into Procreate. For beginners, I advise you not to spread yourself too thin; the included brushes will do the job. Experiment, have fun discovering new ones until you find your favorites.
Google Drive & Notion
To stay organized, I use:
- Google Drive To store all my HD files and have remote access to everything , I create small folders by year/theme to easily find what I want.
- Concept To plan my projects, my drawing ideas , to jot down my inspirations on the spot... I'm a big fan of this tool!
There you go, you know Now, a look behind the scenes of my digital creation space !
Each tool plays a valuable role in my process, and I hope it helps you build yours 🫶
And you, what are your What are the essentials for creating digital content? Let me know in the comments!
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