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How to Start Creating Digital Art on a Budget: A Beginner's Guide to Krita, Tips, and Affordable Art Pads


Custom Halloween inspired art created by Arcana Craft. There are ghostly figures, a hill covered in pumpkins, autumn colored trees, and an orange sky.


Are you an aspiring artist looking to dive into the vibrant world of digital art without breaking the bank? Look no further! In this beginner's guide, we will explore how you can kickstart your digital art journey affordably. We will introduce you to Krita, a powerful free digital art software, provide you with useful tips to get started, and recommend a selection of inexpensive art pads perfect for beginners.


Getting Started with Digital Art



Introducing Krita: Your Free Art Companion


Krita is a free and open-source digital painting program that offers a plethora of features to help you unleash your creativity. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, Krita provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of tools that will elevate your digital art projects. You can even download and use community created brushes, so the possible textures are near endless.


Here's a timelapse we made using Krita:




Tips for Using Krita:


  • Explore Brush Settings: Experiment with different brush types, sizes, and textures to find what works best for your style. Explore community made brush sets and download your favorites.


  • Layers are your Friend: Organize your artwork efficiently by using layers to separate elements and make edits easily. Don't forget to name your layers so you know what it is at a glance.


  • Customize Shortcuts: Tailor Krita to your workflow by customizing keyboard or art pad shortcuts to speed up your process.


  • Utilize Reference Images: Import reference images directly into Krita to guide your drawing and maintain proportions.




Budget-Friendly Art Pads for Beginners


1. Huion H430P ($15)

Huion Beginner Art Pad

The Huion H430P is an excellent entry-level art pad that offers a compact design and a responsive drawing surface. This budget-friendly tablet is perfect for beginners looking to hone their digital art skills without breaking the bank.










2. XP-Pen StarG640 ($25)


Compact and convenient, the XP-Pen StarG640 is another budget-friendly option for aspiring digital artists. With a sleek design and compatibility with popular drawing software, this art pad is a great choice for those starting their creative journey.



3. XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro ($150 - $250)

XP Pen Artist 12 Pro Art Pad

The XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro is the crown jewel of our beginner art pads list, and it is the one we personally use here at Arcana Craft. Though it's the priciest option, it boasts a vibrant display screen, a scroll wheel, and eight customizable buttons, offering an intuitive and immersive drawing experience. Perfect for those ready to invest in a tool that bridges the gap between hobbyist and professional.







Start Your Digital Art Journey Today!


Embark on your digital art adventure without breaking the bank by utilizing the near endless brushes, and powerful tools of Krita, investigating various art pads, and honing your skills through practice. With the right tools and a dash of creativity, the possibilities in the world of digital art are endless. So, grab your tablet, fire up Krita, and let your imagination take flight!



Thank you for joining us on this journey to kickstart your digital art adventure on a budget. Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and inspiration to fuel your creative endeavors!


Note: The mentioned products are based on affordability and beginner-friendliness; however, personal preference may vary. Experiment with different tools to find what suits your style best. Also, we are not affiliated with any of the above products, we just believe that they are great beginner options.

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