Is Digital Art Real Art? Yes. Unequivocally, Yes.

You read that right!

Every so often, a question floats through creative communities that deserves to be answered with clarity and confidence: Is digital art real art?

The short answer? Yes. The long answer? Also yes—with a little more nuance.

Repeat Pattern Created in Procreate

Art is not defined by the tools we use. It's defined by the artist behind those tools—their vision, skill, creativity, and the thousands of quiet hours they’ve spent learning to express themselves with clarity and confidence. Whether an artist uses a charcoal pencil, a paintbrush, or an Apple Pencil doesn't determine the value or validity of their work.

Let’s imagine placing a blank canvas, a full set of oil paints, and fine brushes in front of a beginner. Does that make a Rembrandt? Of course not. The same applies to digital tools. Handing someone an iPad and Procreate doesn’t instantly create a masterpiece. Why? Because the tools don’t make the art—the artist does.

Digital art requires real skill. Artists spend years practicing anatomy, light, texture, color theory, composition, and storytelling. They master their craft through repetition, study, observation, and what many call "pencil miles"—the time and effort spent drawing, experimenting, failing, and trying again.

Angry Vegetables: Procreate

Some of the most breathtaking digital illustrations come from artists who first trained in traditional media. Why? Because the fundamentals of art apply across all formats. Whether drawn on paper or screen, form still matters. So does proportion. So does emotion. So does personal expression.

Digital art opens doors—not shortcuts. It allows flexibility, undo buttons, and layers, yes. But it also demands precision, knowledge of digital tools, and often a steep learning curve.

A digital artist may spend hours crafting the perfect brush settings or understanding how different textures interact. That process is not less than—it’s simply different.

In many ways, digital art has made creativity more accessible. It’s created new opportunities for artists with physical limitations, artists with limited space or budget, and those who want to carry a studio in their backpack. It’s fostered entire industries: animation, gaming, illustration, webcomics, and more.

Bob Ross: Procreate

There is no hierarchy here. A pencil and a stylus are equals in the hands of an artist.

So if you are a digital artist and someone questions the legitimacy of your work, remember this: your art is real. Your efforts are valid. Your skills are earned. And your creations are worthy.

The world needs art in all its forms—and it needs your art, too.

Want to get started on your Procreate journey today? Checkl out my class for 29.99, you will get everything you need to get started today!

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