Best Online Digital Art Classes In 2023: Top 8 Courses Reviewed (2024)

Are you tired of feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with your digital art skills? Do you dream of creating stunning digital art, but struggle to achieve the results you envision?

Learning to draw digitally can be challenging, but with the proper guidance and training, you can take your skills to new heights and create the art you’ve always dreamed of.

In this roundup, we’ve read reviews, evaluated several online digital art courses, and narrowed down the top 8 digital art schools for you.

The Top 8 Online Digital Art Courses Compared

The Best Digital Art Courses Reviewed

Now that you’ve got a quick overview of the TOP 8 classes, let’s take a look at them in detail.

1. Digital Painting Studio by Hardy Fowler

Digital Painting Studio is a comprehensive digital creation academy that offers modules designed for artists at every level; from beginner fundamentals to advanced courses for those seeking to launch their careers with an impressive portfolio.

This comprehensive range of classes and focus on career readiness makes it clear that Digital Painting Studio deserves the top ranking for the best digital art classes overall.

Detailed Look at Digital Painting Studio

Besides the module-student skill level alignments, the courses include interactive lessons, project assignments, and personalized feedback from the community discord server to help students develop their artistic abilities.

The academy is delivered online through a user-friendly platform that allows students to access the lessons and materials from anywhere with an internet connection.

The courses utilize Adobe Photoshop for its lessons to teach students the procedures and tools needed to create stunning digital artworks, but much of what is learned can be applied to other digital creation programs like Clip Studio Paint and Procreate

Pros:

Cons:

Student Feedback and Reviews

I have personally taken part in Digital Painting Studio and can vouch for the thorough, well-organized, quality instruction and supportive community.

The Discord server is inspirational and encouraging, with daily studies that challenge you and peer feedback that helps you improve.

The courses themselves are thorough and contain information I haven’t come across personally through my own YouTube research.

You can read my full Digital Painting Studio review, or click the button below to check out Digital Painting Studio yourself.

2. CG Spectrum

CG Spectrum’s Digital Art Course has cemented its place as one of the best digital art degrees available. And many would agree. Here’s a detailed look into what makes CG Spectrum so good…

Detailed Look at CG Spectrum’s Digital Art Course

CG Spectrum’s Digital Art Course covers a comprehensive curriculum with personalized feedback and one-on-one mentorship from experienced instructors.

This flexible program provides career-oriented guidance, support, portfolio review, and job placement assistance.

Students have access to industry-standard digital art software programs like Photoshop, Maya, and ZBrush, and work on real-world projects to build a professional portfolio.

With self-paced and live online classes available, students can learn on their own schedule and at their own pace.

Pros of CG Spectrum’s Digital Art Course:

Cons of CG Spectrum’s Digital Art Course:

CG Spectrum’s Digital Art Course is an excellent fit for anyone interested in pursuing a career or improving their skills in 2D or 3D digital creation, concept art, game art, or character. design with the help of experienced industry professionals

I can honestly say that even by having experience on the field, I’ve gained a mind-blowing volume of understanding, even when considering the most basic of aspects…”

• Fritz, former student

You can read my full CG Spectrum review, or click the button below to see if CG Spectrum is the right fit for you.

3. Proko – Digital Painting Fundamentals

For a digital artist starting at the very beginning of their art journey, Proko’s Digital Painting Fundamentals course does just that – it teaches you the basics, and that’s why it ranks as the best digital art course for absolute beginners.

Let’s take a closer look at the course:

Detailed Look at Proko’s Digital Painting Fundamentals Course

Proko’s Digital Painting Fundamentals course offers a comprehensive curriculum with high-quality video lessons covering color theory, brushwork, and composition.

It also provides students with lifetime access to course materials and updates, allowing students to learn at their own pace and continually improve their skills.

Pros of Proko:

Cons of Proko:

From my personal experience with Proko, the lessons are in-depth and super helpful, and they make a great resource for learning digital art basics.

4. Creature Art Teacher by Aaron Blaise

Creature Art Teacher is an online learning platform that offers courses on character and creature design, anatomy, and digital drawing and painting.

With a number of creature-art tutorials, including elephants, lions, aliens, and forest creatures, it’s easy to see why I labeled Creature Art Teacher’s Digital Painting Courses as the best course for creature creation.

Let’s take a closer look at one specific course under the tutorials section; the Digital Painting Photoshop Course.

Detailed Look at Creature Art Teacher

The courses are taught by industry professionals who have worked on major films and games, including Disney favorites like Mulan and Aladdin.

The platform offers a variety of courses in different formats, including video lessons and downloadable resources.

Pros of the Digital Painting Photoshop Course:

Cons of the Digital Painting Photoshop Course:

This course is perfect for aspiring concept artists who want to develop their skills in creature design for film, television, video games, and other forms of entertainment

…if you choose to check out these courses, they are absolutely worth it.

• Pete, a former student

5. 21 Draw’s Character Poses with Personality Course

21 Draw is an online learning platform that offers courses in character design, illustration, and animation, including the Character Poses with Personality course, which focuses on creating unique character poses.

This focus is why it’s earned the title of best course for character animation and design.

Detailed Look at 21 Draw’s Character Poses with Personality Course

This course, taught by professional illustrator Tony Bandcroft, offers over an hour of content, 11 lessons, and downloadable resources and can be followed using paper and pencil, an iPad, or a Wacom tablet.

Pros of 21 Draw’s Character Poses with Personality Course:

Cons of 21 Draw’s Character Poses with Personality Course:

Really cool class. It’s great to see so much live-drawing and to have all these tips for better pose construction. The examples are very engaging, and the different steps are very clear and dynamic

• Adele, a former student

6. Domestika Procreate For Beginners

Domestika offers accessible and affordable education for creative professionals and hobbyists, with pre-recorded video lessons, downloadable resources, and assignments covering design, illustration, animation, photography, and more.

Their Procreate for Beginners course, tailored for novice artists in Procreate, earns the title of best digital illustration course for Procreate beginners.

Detailed Look at Domestika Procreate for Beginners

This course is designed to teach aspiring digital artists how to use the Procreate app for digital sketching and illustration.

It covers a wide range of topics, such as the Procreate interface, brushes and tools, color theory, and basic drawing techniques.

The course is delivered entirely online through a series of video lessons and can be accessed on a variety of devices, including computers, a drawing tablet, and smartphones. The course requires the Procreate app, which is available for iOS devices.

Pros of Domestika’s Procreate for Beginner’s Course:

Cons of Domestika’s Procreate for Beginner’s Course:

Whether you’re starting from zero or switching over from traditional painting, Domestika’s Procreate for Beginners course is perfect for an aspiring digital artist who wants to learn the basics of digital creation and gain a strong foundation in using Procreate.

7. Udemy’s Ultimate Digital Painting Course

Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses on various topics, including business, technology, and creative masteries such as digital creation.

Detailed Look at Udemy’s Digital Painting Course

Udemy’s Ultimate Digital Painting Course is a comprehensive online course that covers digital painting and portrait drawing techniques from beginner to intermediate level.

The course material includes over 19 hours of on-demand video lessons, 112 downloadable resources, a certificate of completion, and lifetime access to the course content.

Learners can access the course materials at their own pace, and the course is accessible on mobile and TV.

The course focuses on digital painting techniques using Adobe Photoshop but also covers other software programs such as Procreate, Krita, and Clip Studio Paint.

Pros of Udemy’s Digital Painting Course:

Cons of Udemy’s Digital Painting Course:

Udemy’s Digital Painting course is perfect for beginner to novice artists who want to create art and digitally draw using Photoshop, while not breaking the bank from purchasing course material.

I found the instructor’s delivery to be easy to follow and engaging. It’s a bit of a long course, but I like how in-depth the instructor goes and how many resources come with the course.

• Dani B. , a former student

Skillshare is a leading online learning community with thousands of classes on creative expertise like graphic design, photography, and digital art, as well as business, technology, and personal development.

Learners can access courses at their own pace and on various devices through a subscription model, providing unlimited access to the entire course library.

Detailed Look at Skillshare’s Digital Art for Print Course

The full name of this course is Live Encore: Design and Prepare Digital Art for Print on Demand, but I’ve shortened it for convenience.

That being said, the Digital Art for Print course focuses on helping aspiring graphic designers create digital artwork that meets the technical requirements of print-on-demand services.

The course covers 1 hour and 12 minutes of video lessons covering a range of topics, such as file formats, resolution, and color modes.

Pros of Skillshare’s Digital Art for Print Course:

Cons of Skillshare’s Digital Art for Print Course:

Skillshare’s Digital Art for Print Course is perfect for creatives who want to start selling artwork using print-on-demand services.

Things to Consider Before Investing in a Digital Art Course:

When considering investing in a digital art course, it’s important to factor in your budget, your goals for taking the course, your schedule and preferred format, and your equipment and necessary software.

If you still aren’t sure which course is best for you, read on…

Instructor Credentials and Digital Artist Experience

When choosing an online course, it’s important to consider a teacher’s experience and credentials.

This can include their professional background, years of experience in their field, and any relevant awards or recognition.

Check the instructor’s expertise and credibility in their subject matter, and how it aligns with your career or artistic goals.

Course Content

Digital art programs may focus on different areas of digital art, such as character creation and design, concept art, or the fundamentals of learning to draw and paint digitally.

Some schools, such as CG Spectrum, may also cover broader topics, such as graphic design or animation. It’s important to choose a course that aligns with your interests and goals.

Course Level

Digital art courses may be designed for beginners, intermediate, or advanced learners, depending on the prerequisites and complexity of the content.

It’s important to choose a course that matches your skill level to ensure that you get the most out of the experience.

Teaching Style

Digital art courses can vary in teaching style, from self-paced courses to instructor-led courses with live workshops and deadlines.

Some courses may focus more on hands-on projects, while others may include lectures and demonstrations. Consider your learning style and preferences when choosing a course.

Social Interaction, Online Community, and Networking Opportunities

Online courses sometimes lack the social interaction and networking opportunities that come with in-person classes.

In-person classes allow for more face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers, which can be valuable for building relationships and finding job opportunities.

However, many digital art schools, such as Digital Painting Studio provide forums and online communities where students can connect and collaborate with one another.

Personally, I’ve found online communities to be one of the biggest factors that have contributed to my long-term growth as an artist.

Prerequisites

Some digital art courses may have prerequisites, and it is important to choose a course that matches your skill level and interests.

Price

Digital art programs can vary widely in price, from free online resources to courses that cost several thousand dollars.

The cost of a course may depend on the instructor’s experience and credentials, the course content and level, and the amount of feedback and support provided.

When choosing a digital art program, it’s important to consider these attributes to ensure that you find a course that matches your interests, skill level, and learning style, and fits within your budget.

FAQs

How Do I Get Started In Digital Art?

To get started in digital art, you will need a computer, tablet with a digital pen, and software such as Adobe Photoshop or Procreate. The online tutorials and courses mentioned above can help you learn the basics of digital art and more advanced techniques.

What Is The Best Way To Learn Digital Art?

Online courses and tutorials can provide structured learning with feedback and guidance from experienced instructors.

Experimenting and practicing on your own can also be valuable for developing your mastery and finding your own style.

What Is The Difference Between Digital Art And Traditional Art?

Digital art is created using a computer or tablet and digital software, while traditional art is created using physical materials such as paint, pencils, and paper.

Digital art allows for more flexibility and the ability to easily edit and manipulate artwork, while traditional art has a more tactile and expressive quality.

What Software Do I Need For Online Art Classes?

The software you need for online art classes depends on the specific course and instructor.

Commonly used software for digital art classes include Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, and Corel Painter.

Are Online Art Classes As Effective As In-Person Classes?

While online art classes lack the in-person interaction and feedback of traditional classes, they can be just as effective for learning and developing skills.

Many online classes provide opportunities for feedback and critiques from instructors and peers, as well as forums and online communities for students to connect and collaborate with one another.

What Online Digital Art Classes Are Best?

After reviewing several digital art programs and considering factors such as course content, level, teaching style, and price, we have determined that Digital Painting Studio is the clear winner in this roundup.

While the runner-ups, CG Spectrum and Proko, have their strong points, Digital Painting Studio beats CG in price and Proko in career-building focus.

If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality, detailed instruction, there’s no better place to start than Digital Painting Studio.