Digital Painting: A Beginner's Toolbox

5 Essential Techniques to Boost Your Digital Painting Skills

Digital painting can be frustrating.

Does any of the following sound familiar to you?

  • Staring at a blank canvas, not knowing how or where to start
  • Having to throw away hours of detail work because the composition just isn't working
  • Seeing the exact smooth, straight lines you want to draw in your head, but not being able to create them with your tablet

These are just a few of the common problems I've noticed most beginners struggle with.

As a result, they get frustrated, lose motivation, and eventually quit. They tell themselves they're just not cut out for it. It's a matter of talent, and they just weren't born with it.

In reality, that's simply not true.

The matter of fact is, anyone can learn digital painting.

I know because I've been there. I felt the frustration just as much as you may be now, thinking I'd never be able to do it.

But I stuck with it, and after a lot of practice I finally started painting pieces I was actually happy with. This gave me the confidence boost I needed to keep practicing.

To help overcome those first hurdles faster, I've put together this free mini-course for aspiring digital painters like yourself. It's comprised of 5 techniques that, while relatively simple, can make a huge difference to your paintings. They will help you overcome the difficulty of starting out, and help you build the confidence you need to keep learning.

Good luck and happy painting!


Your Instructor


David Belliveau
David Belliveau

A seasoned illustrator, David Belliveau loves nothing more than making magic happen with his Wacom tablet.

Being entirely self-taught, he knows how difficult the learning process can be. It's this struggle that inspired him to co-found Paintable, a platform to help aspiring digital painters build the skills and confidence they need.

Originally from Montreal, David Belliveau now lives in Berlin, where he has exhibited his work and holds regular digital painting workshops.


Course Curriculum


  Welcome to the Course!
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  Technique 1: How to Make Flat Paintings 'Pop'
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  Technique 2: Avoid Frustration by Starting with the Right Background
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  Technique 3: Improve Your Composition by not Getting Lost in the Details
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  Technique 4: The Easiest Way to Get Started With Color
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  Technique 5: How to Draw Smooth, Straight Lines on a Tablet
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  Additional Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions


Who is this course for?

Mainly beginners, though I cover some concepts that painters of all skill level will benefit from. I will assume you know the very basics of Photoshop, such as how to set up a canvas and using the brush tool.

When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
Is this course free?
Yep, for now this course is 100% free! We may start charging in the future, however, so sign up now to ensure free lifetime access.
Free lifetime access you say?
That's right. After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

Get started now!