When you think about art, what comes to your mind first? Is it a painting on a canvas or a drawing made on a tablet? You can do anything, as there are more choices than before. You can choose either digital art or traditional art. But would you know which one is better for you? Well, in this blog post, we will explain both types to make your choice easier. Let’s break it down in a simple and friendly way.
What is Traditional Art?
Traditional art is something that you can make by hand using real tools. You don’t need a computer or a screen. You can create art using normal materials. And you don’t need to spend a lot on these materials, as most of the things you may usually have in your house.
From the word “Traditional”, you might understand that it’s a form of art that people have been creating for hundreds, even thousands, of years. From cave drawings to famous paintings in museums, this type of art has always been a way for humans to express feelings, tell stories, and show culture. And time to time, it’s been passed down through generations and is still loved by many today.
Tools You Need for Traditional Art:
- Pencils, pens, or markers for drawing
- Paintbrushes and paints for colouring
- Paper, canvas, or sketchbooks to create on
- Erasers, rulers, glue, and other small tools
The 7 Forms of Traditional Art
For your better understanding, let’s inform you that there are seven main types of traditional art. These are sculpture, painting, literature, music, theatre, cinema, and architecture. Sculpture is something where you can shape things like clay or stone into amazing art. In Painting, you can use colours on canvas or paper, whichever you prefer. Literature includes poems, books, and stories.
You might hear music, well, it’s also an art made with sounds and instruments. Theatre is acting in plays, and cinema means making movies. And with the help of architectural design, people are building houses and other large buildings. All these forms have many different styles and famous artists, and you can find them in museums, galleries, libraries, and live shows.
What is Digital Art?
Digital art is a modern way of making art. As it’s a digital form of art so you don’t require using pencils or paper. If you have computers, tablets, phones or any of them, you can just start making your art. It’s newer than traditional art because it needs technology. So, instead of drawing on paper, you can draw or paint on a screen using apps like Procreate, Photoshop, or Illustrator. This kind of art started in the 1960s and has become very popular today because of its amazing features, like when you draw something, it’s normal to make mistakes, but the amazing part is that you can fix them easily. And you will find different colours and many types of digital brushes in one place. You can create everything from simple drawings to 3D models, animations, videos, and more, all on one device.
If you want to keep clean and draw flexibly, then it can be the best choice for you. Here, you don’t need to wait for paint to dry or clean up a mess. You can work from anywhere, and you can share your art with the world in seconds. Digital art also includes things like digital paintings, photography, video art, and crypto art (NFTs). Just like traditional art, digital art will help you to show your thoughts, stories, and feelings, but with the help of modern technology.
Tools You Need:
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- A stylus or digital pen (optional but helpful).
- Art software like Procreate, Photoshop, or any free apps.
- A good internet connection (sometimes).
Advantages of Traditional Art
Traditional art has some amazing things that make it special. Here are a few:
Feels Real and Hands-On
There’s something special about touching the paper, feeling the paint, and even smelling the pencils. When you paint on paper, your hands will get messy, you will touch every element, you will erase them fix them, a kind of a journey you will go through to make the art perfect that’s how you will get attached, and it will make the art feel more real, more personal, and full of heart.
No Technology Needed
As it’s totally based on pencils and paper, you don’t need screens, apps, or batteries. You can just need a pencil and some paper, pick colours, and you’re ready to draw anytime, anywhere, whether it’s at home, in the park, or on a road trip.
Unique and One-of-a-Kind
Each piece you create is truly yours. Because you will make it on your own. Your choices of shapes, colours, and emotions will bloom in your art. There’s no scope for copying and pasting any art, like digital artwork. And that’s why traditional art feels so special, you can make one to gift someone because it is great for showing off your creativity.
Helps You Learn Basics
If you are totally new to the design world, then traditional art can be a great way to learn the basics, like you can learn drawing shapes, mixing colours, and you can use different tools. These skills build a strong foundation and help you grow, even if you move on to digital art later.
Fun to Collect Supplies
It’s really interesting to try different tools. You can choose paints, brushes, or sketchbooks, and you get to try different tools and find out what you love best.
Disadvantages of Traditional Art
Even though traditional art is awesome, it has some challenges:
Can Be Expensive
Traditional art can be expensive, as you have to buy good paints, brushes, and paper, and these are not always cheap. If you make a mistake or run out of supplies, you might need to buy more. Over time, the cost can really add up.
Hard to Fix Mistakes
Made a mistake? Well, you can’t just tap “undo” like in digital art. You have to fix it by hand, and sometimes your design might get spoiled when you try to fix something. So, you have to be extra careful. Otherwise, you have to start all over or try to cover it up. That can be frustrating and take a lot of time.
Takes Up Space
Art supplies like paint, paper, and tools need space. If you make a lot of art, your room or desk can get messy fast. So, you’ll need a safe place to keep everything safe and organised.
Hard to Share Online
Want to show your art to friends online? It might be a little difficult as you’ll need to take a photo or you have to scan it. This takes extra time, and sometimes the picture doesn’t look as good as the real thing. It’s not always easy to get it just right.
Advantages of Digital Art
Digital art is super popular for a reason. Here’s why people love it:
Easy to Fix Mistakes
Made a mistake? No need to worry, all you need to do is press “undo.” You can try new ideas without fear. If something doesn’t look right, you can fix it in seconds and keep going. It’s stress-free.
Saves Money Over Time
If you choose to create art digitally, then buying a tablet or computer might cost more at first, but it will save you money for later. As you don’t need to keep buying paper, paint, or brushes again and again. You will find many art apps that are free or low-cost, so you can create without spending much.
Lots of Tools in One Place
Digital art apps come with tons of tools. So, you will get many brushes, colours, textures, and special effects, right on your screen. They stay organised, and as they are in a digital place, you don’t have to worry about losing them. It’s like you are having a full art store that fits in your hand.
Easy to Share
If you need to share your art, you can do it easily. It won’t take time as the traditional one. You just need to save your drawing as a file, and then you can post it online. You don’t need to take photos or scan it either. And your art is ready to show the world in just a few clicks.
Great for Animation and Games
If you want to make cartoons, video games, or digital designs, then digital art is perfect for that. And you can use this type of digital artwork in 2D animation, for any sort of reels, and even mobile apps. With digital tools, your ideas can really come to life
Disadvantages of Digital Art
Digital art isn’t perfect either. Here are some things to think about:
Expensive to Start
As you need a good tablet or computer, it will cost a lot of money. So, if you’re just a beginner, buying these tools might be difficult for you. It’s a big step for beginners, and not everyone can afford it right away.
Needs Technology
Digital art totally depends on tech. If suddenly your battery runs out or the app crashes, you have to stop working. Also, learning how to use the software can be difficult at first; you might need to take courses as well. It takes time to get used to all the tools.
Feels Less Personal
Some people feel that digital art doesn’t have the same “real” feeling as traditional art. You’re drawing on a screen, not on paper. So, it might give you a feeling of being less hands-on, or you might feel less personal.
Screen Time
As you have to look at a screen for too long, so, it can make your eyes tired. It can also make you feel sleepy or give you a headache. That’s why you need to take short breaks to rest your eyes while working.
Traditional Art vs Digital Art: Comparison
Here are the differences:
| Feature | Traditional Art | Digital Art |
| Definition | Art made with physical tools like pencils, paint, or clay. | Art created using computers, tablets, or digital apps. |
| Tools Needed | Pencils, paper, paints, brushes, canvas. | Computer, tablet, stylus, software (e.g., Procreate, Photoshop). |
| Cost | It can be cheap to start, but supplies add up. | Expensive at first (tablet/computer), but saves money later. |
| Ease of Fixing Mistakes | Hard to fix; may need to start over. | Easy to fix with “undo” or layers. |
| Learning Curve | Simple to start, but mastering takes time. | Needs time to learn software and tools. |
| Portability | Easy to carry (just pencil and paper). | Needs device and battery; less portable. |
| Sharing Art | Needs scanning or photos to share online. | Easy to save and share online instantly. |
| Storage | Takes physical space for supplies and art. | Stored digitally; no physical space needed. |
| Feel | Hands-on, tactile, feels personal. | Can feel less “real” due to screen use. |
| Best For | Learning basics, gifts, and wall art. | Animation, game design, and online sharing. |
| Durability | Art can fade or get damaged over time. | Digital files last forever if saved properly. |
| Experimentation | Limited by supplies, mistakes waste materials. | Endless tools and effects; no material waste. |
How to Choose: Digital or Traditional Art?
Now that you know about both types, how do you pick? Here are some questions to help you decide:
What Do You Like to Make?
If you love painting with real brushes or sculpting, traditional art might be your thing. But if you want to make cartoons or game designs, then you can try digital art.
How Much Money Can You Spend?
If you don’t have a lot of money, then it’s better to start with traditional art. Pencils and paper are cheap. However, if you can buy a tablet, digital art is a great choice.
Do You Like Technology?
If you love computers and learning new apps, digital art will be fun for you. If you don’t like screens, then it’s better to stick with traditional art.
Where Do You Want to Show Your Art?
If you want to sell art online or make animations, digital art is easier. But if you want to hang your art on a wall or give it as a gift, traditional art is awesome.
Do You Like to Experiment?
Digital art lets you try new things without wasting supplies. And traditional art is great for learning and feeling creative.
Can You Do Both?
Yes, you can do both of them. And there are many artists who use both digital and traditional art. For example:
- You can draw a sketch with a pencil and paper, then scan it and colour it digitally.
- You can make a digital design and print it to paint over with real paint.
- You can learn skills from one type and use them in the other.
Doing both lets you try new things. So, you don’t have to worry about picking just one.
How to Start
If you’re ready to try art, here are some easy ways to start:
For Traditional Art:
- Use a pencil and notebook: You don’t need many things to begin. Just start with what you have.
- Watch videos on YouTube: There are lots of videos that teach you how to draw and paint step by step.
- Practice a little every day: Even a small doodle helps you get better. So, try to draw something every day.
- Don’t worry about mistakes: Mistakes are okay. They help you learn and improve.
For Digital Art:
- Try free apps first: Use free apps before buying paid ones.
- Use what you have: A cheap tablet or even a phone with a stylus is good enough to begin.
- Watch easy tutorials: Look up how-to videos to learn fun tools and tricks in your app.
- Save your work often: Apps can stop working sometimes, so save your art often so you don’t lose it.
Final Thoughts
Digital art or traditional art, which one should you choose? It really depends on what you like, what tools you have, and what you want to make. Traditional art might be best for you if you like using your hands and trying real tools like pencils or paint. Whereas digital art is great if you like working on a screen, fixing mistakes quickly, and sharing your art online.
