What Is Digital Art? (Spoiler: It’s Human-Made)

My digital art is created by hand, just not with a traditional paintbrush. I use an app called Procreate on my iPad, which lets me draw and paint digitally with a stylus. Think of it like a high-tech sketchbook packed with an entire art studio’s worth of brushes, textures, and colors. I build each piece layer by layer, just like I would with traditional media, only it’s pixels instead of paint.

Digital art still requires the same creative decisions as any other medium: composition, color balance, mood, movement, and texture. I pick my brushes, choose my palette, and sketch, paint, and revise until something feels just right. Some pieces come together quickly; others evolve over days or weeks as I tweak details, shift colors, or rework entire sections until they feel alive and full of energy.

And just to be super clear: This is not AI art. What you see is the result of real time, real effort, and a very human creative process. It’s the product of hours of hands-on work, experimentation, and creative problem-solving - no shortcuts, no automation.

Every brushstroke, color choice, and quirky detail comes from my brain and my hands. It might be digital, but it’s no less human. It’s thoughtful, hands-on work, created with intention, curiosity, and a serious love of color. Whether it’s a playful character or a bold abstract, each piece reflects my own creative fingerprint and the joy I find in making something from scratch.

In the photo at left, you can see the layers that went into my painting, Scattering Stardust, each one added with care and purpose.

You can shop Scattering Stardust and my other paintings here.