Professional Digital Art Course for Beginners

How to Start Learning Digital Art?

digital art landscape
teens digital drawing and painting course with manga subject Visual Arts Centre

students are exploring digital art device and software with subjects like manga character under teacher’s guidance

Scroll Below for More Information & Explore 3 Steps on How To Start Learning Digital Art!

Getting started with digital art is simpler than you think!

Step 1: Choose The Right Digital Tools & Software

Here’s a breakdown of the digital tools and software you’ll need:

1. Devices and Software

To begin, all you need is a device and software—no need for expensive gadgets!

Computer/Laptop

If you have a computer or laptop, you’re ready to go! Pair it with a USB digital tablet and free apps like MediBang, Krita, or IbisPaint to start creating.

Digital Tablets

If your budget allows, investing in a digital tablet and stylus is a great option. Popular apps like Procreate (iPad-only), MediBang, Krita, and IbisPaint work well on most tablets, including iPads and Samsung devices.

Mobile Phones

Even your mobile phone can be a fantastic starting point for digital art. Many artists create stunning artwork on their phones using apps like IbisPaint due to its accessibility and affordability.

digital drawing and painting course in singapore visual arts centre

Step 2. Digital Art Software Applications

Digital tools have made art more accessible than ever. Whether you prefer free or paid options, there’s something for every budget:

Paid Applications

  • Adobe Photoshop: Industry-standard but costly unless you have free access as a student.
  • Procreate: iPad-exclusive with a one-time purchase fee.
  • Clip Studio Paint: Popular among professionals but may not be necessary for beginners.

Free Applications

  • IbisPaint: Perfect for beginners and mobile users.
  • MediBang: A versatile option for both tablets and computers.
  • Krita: Ideal for desktops and tablets with advanced features for free.

Start Small and Explore

You don’t need the best devices or software to begin your digital art journey. Start with what you have, experiment with free tools, and upgrade as your skills grow. Remember, creativity matters more than tools!

In short, to choose the right tools, take note of the hardware & software:

Hardware: Start with a drawing tablet or iPad. Some great options include Wacom, Huion, iPads with Apple Pencil, or Galaxy Tab A with S Pen.
Software: Use beginner-friendly programs like Procreate, Krita, or MediBang.

Tip: You don’t need expensive tools to begin your digital art journey—just pick what suits your budget!

How to Learn Digital Art Effectively

digital drawing

Step 3. Digital Art Drawing & Painting Technique Applications on Basics & Advanced Levels

Learning digital art takes time and consistent practice—just like any other art form. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started:

Start with the Basics

  • Drawing Fundamentals: Practice simple shapes, proportions, perspective, and composition.
  • Color Theory: Learn to mix colors, create contrasts, and add lighting and shadows.
  • Layering: Understand how layers work to separate and organize your artwork.

Move to Advanced Techniques

  • Learn digital painting techniques, including blending and texturing.
  • Explore advanced tools like clipping masks, custom brushes, and special effects to polish your work.


With the right tools and dedication to practice, you’ll improve your skills and create stunning digital art in no time!

introduction to digital art students learn art skills
Our student with her completed manga drawing

Professional Digital Art Course by Visual Arts Centre

适合零基础的数码绘画课程就在视觉艺术中心

Our professional digital art course is designed for beginners to learn and acquire a strong foundation in digital art. The art course introduces learners to a broad range of topics from essential digital art techniques and tools, to drafting and workflow processes, so that learners may utilise digital art skills confidently in creating and completing finished art projects. 

Course Outline:

Part 1: Basic Tools and Techniques

  • Be introduced to digital art tools using Procreate or other software (students may use an iPad or a Wacom tablet) 
  • Understand the interface, shortcuts, and basic features, and be able to utilise them 
  • Practice simple line exercises and layering techniques.
  • Understanding the various applications of digital art, and personal goals for learning, through which, the independent art projects will be tailored according to learning goals and interests. 

Part 2: Light, Composition, and Texture

  • Master light sources, shading, and texture rendering.
  • Explore perspective drawing and learn light and composition principles for visually striking art.
  • Learn to work on digital art projects and practise applying tools and techniques to complete independent artworks such as illustrations of objects, still life painting, landscape painting and others.

Part 3: Creativity and Independent Digital Art Projects 

  • From the third lesson, gain a foundation in digital art to be able to work on independent basic digital art projects according to learning goals and interests. [ For example, those with an interest in character design could work on projects to create their own character design digital artwork, and those with specific interest in illustration could work on digital art illustrations. ]
  • Continue to learn and improve on digital art skills while working on independent art projects.
  • Improve digital drawing and painting techniques, learn to appreciate digital artworks and think about the practical creative process.
  • Learn to refine and polish your work, be achieving a foundation in digital art and be able to complete a minimum of four independent art projects during the course. Be on your next step to building a digital art portfolio to express your creative vision!

What You’ll Learn in 12 Sessions Professional Digital Art Course:

  • Introduction to digital art tools and applications.
  • Foundations of digital art, including line drawing and freehand sketching, with practise in pencil and apple pencil for warm up in each class.
  • Techniques for coloring, blending, texturing with layers.
  • Learn effective work flow processes in creating digital art
  • Learn digital drawing and painting techniques and skills
  • Create and refine digital artworks, work towards improving digital art confidence and skills, and building more complexity into digital artworks.

Join us and embark on this exciting digital art journey!

Lesson Schedule:

Monday 5pm-7:15pm / 7:30pm-9:45pm
Thursday 3:30pm-5:45pm
Saturday 6:30pm-8:45pm

Course Fees: 12 Sessions $1,188nett (*digital art device is not provided)

Venue: Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio (within Dhoby Ghaut Green Park, above Dhoby Ghaut MRT exit B- left turn 20m)

Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Exhibition Gallery how to get here

Professional Digital Art Drawing & Painting Course in Singapore

[8Sessions | $798nett ]

Digital Drawing and Painting Course, with lessons on Procreate - digital drawing and sketching, basics of using the software to create a digital artwork, keyboard shortcuts, layers, basic functions, line, color, layer modes, blending colors, lighting effects, thumbnailing, black & white silhouettes, layout and basic configuration.
At our Studio, our professional and experienced teachers will teach you to acquire a good art foundation in whichever medium you choose to learn.
Introducing – Digital Drawing & Painting Course where students would learn and acquire digital drawing and painting techniques with our professional instructors!
In this 12-session course, students will learn digital art skills and techniques using procreate, including preparing drawings and paintings for digital or print, with some prior knowledge of traditional drawing assumed. Students have the freedom to create project pieces according to subjects of their interest, and be guided to complete and improve digital art skills as they explore how they can create an artwork through the procreate software through the different tools available in the software.
learn digital drawing and painting guided by professionals in singapore

What is Digital Drawing or Painting?

Digital drawing and painting is the artistic process of creating visuals using digital tools and software. Artists utilize specialized software like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Paint Tool Sai or Clip Studio Paint, along with digital drawing tablets or computers. These tools offer a diverse range of brushes, colors, and editing options for creating stunning digital artwork.

Unlike a traditional artwork, digital artwork is known for its permanence and is accommodative to any corrections needed due to its digital rendering capabilities.

Digital Art Drawing Students using IPad and laptops to draw their digital artwork

Digital painting software offers artists a versatile digital canvas for creating and refining artwork. While digital painting requires traditional painting skills, such as mastery of line, coloration, tonal variations, and perspective, artists utilize software tools to bring their visions to life. With a strong foundation in traditional drawing techniques, artists can produce realistic digital paintings with compelling 3D perspective effects.

Digital painting presents numerous benefits compared to traditional painting techniques. It enables effortless undo and redo functions and boasts a vast selection of digital brushes and effects that can be easily applied onto the artwork. Additionally, it offers the convenience of working without the requirement for physical art supplies or extensive cleanup, streamlining the entire creative process to within the software.

Explore digital artwork creation through a suite of softwares offered, and discover the one that works best for you.

manga drawing and digital painting art course Visual Arts Centre
Teacher is guiding student to do digital drawing and painting

Our instructor providing students on the guidance basics of tip shapes 

manga drawing and digital painting visual arts centre

Professional Digital Drawing & Painting with Manga

[12Sessions | $1188nett, 24Sessions | $2188nett]

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learn manga drawing for ages 8 and above in singapore
Combine Manga Drawing with Digital Drawing and Painting, 6 Sessions of traditional medium - drawing and sketching, and coloured illustration with markers and watercolour, with 6 sessions of digital drawing and painting.
Great for learners curious about illustration, or for any Manga enthusiasts! This course is suitable for ages 8 and above.

Digital Manga Drawing guided by our instructor on IPad’s Procreate

Introducing the Professional Manga Drawing & Digital Painting Course [12 Sessions], designed to equip students with a solid foundation in manga drawing and painting while introducing them to digital drawing and painting techniques.

As part of the 6 sessions of traditional medium, students will create artworks with markers and watercolour, with all necessary art materials provided by our studio. 

Following which, the digital art segment utilizes iPad, Apple Pencil, and the Procreate application. Covering the basics of digital drawing and painting, students will learn how to use these tools to bring their manga creations to life with the help of the different tools available on the digital drawing softwares.

manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre

Introduction to Digital Drawing and Painting Bootcamp

[5Sessions | $698nett ]

Youth (10-18YO) Holiday Classes - Introduction to Digital Drawing and Painting Bootcamp Poster

Digital drawing and digital painting refers to the process of creating artwork using digital tools and software. It involves using a digital drawing tablet or a computer with specialized software such as Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or Clip Studio Paint, which offers a wide range of brushes, colours, and other digital tools.

In this course, you will learn the following:

  • These programs provide a digital canvas where artists can create and manipulate their artwork. Digital painting requires traditional painting skills as digital painting artworks are not premade and they are produced through a canvas through the software. With solid foundation of line, colouration, tonal, perspectives and imagination in traditional drawing, this would help to produce digital painting artworks in a more realistic form and present stronger 3D perspective effects.
  • Digital painting offers several advantages over traditional painting methods. It allows for easy undo and redo, while offering a wide range of digital brushes and effects. It also provides the convenience of working without the need for physical art supplies or extensive cleanup.

Basic tools:

  • iPad with Apple Pencil/Pencil with pen pressure with Procreate
  • Laptop + Drawing Tablet (Wacom/Huion ect.) *Let us know what digital medium you are using!

Pen pressure is crucial in creating good digital art, as it gives you the option of defining the thickness and heaviness of each stroke as if you are using a real pencil! This adds the feeling of depth to your work, making it more impressive.

Softwares that you can use:

Laptop users:

  • Free softwares like Krita or MediBang Paint works fine. If you have the budget, Photoshop would be the best choice.

iPad users:

Free softwares like Adobe Fresco or Clip Studio works fine. If you have the budget, Procreate will be the best choice.

Digital Art: Character Costume Design

[4Sessions | $480nett ]

Digital Art Drawing & Painting - Character Costume Design Workshop with Visual Arts Centre Singapore

About this Character Costume Design Workshop:

Unleash your creativity and bring characters to life through costume design! In this workshop, participants will learn how to conceptualize and create costumes that reflect their characters’ personalities, story backgrounds, and worlds. You’ll explore different fashion styles, materials, and cultural influences to craft unique and visually stunning costumes.

Character Costume Design involve visually expressing who the character is and how they fit into their world, helping the audience understand the character without needing much dialogue or explanation.

What can you expect?

  1. 1st Session: Define characteristics, traits, colours and accessories of your character.
  2. 2nd Session: Detailed studying of character’s anatomy, sketching of character and begin digital sketch of character.
  3. 3rd Session: Continue of digital sketch, and begin on lineart and colouring.
  4. 4th Session: Completing character’s costume design and start learning to draw/paint character’s costumes and accessories.

Schedule:
Monday 7.30pm-9.45pm
Thursday 3.30pm-5.45pm
Saturday 6.30pm-8.45pm

Students need to bring their own digital device: 

  • Laptop users
    Laptop + Drawing Tablet (Wacom/Huion ect.)
    *Let us know what digital medium you are using!
  • iPad users
    iPad with Apple Pencil/Pencil with pen pressure with Procreate

Digital Dreams - Transforming Ideas Into Art

Suitable for beginners from 8YO!

[1Session | $90nett ]

Digital Dreams Poster Digital Art Drawing and Painting Workshop
Learning Contents & Learning Objectives

Course Structure Breakdown:
🕒 20-minute Intro: Learn the basics of digital art in a beginner-friendly session.
👩‍🏫 Teacher Demonstration: Watch a step-by-step guide to creating digital art.
🎨 Hands-On Project: Create your very first digital artwork.
💡 Q&A Session: Get your questions answered and receive helpful tips!

Private Class with Digital Art Drawing & Painting and or Manga Drawing

[4sessions | $1000nett, 10sessions | $2500nett, 20sessions | $5000nett]

Introduction To Digital Drawing & Painting (Suitable to 10YO-18YO) (1) digital private art
  • Enjoy 1-on-1 personalized coaching for focused teacher-student interaction and guidance.
  • Explore a variety of topics, including landscapes, fruits, manga characters, and more.
  • Master brush strokes, layering, and coloring techniques.
  • Get comfortable using your preferred digital art application (e.g., Procreate, Medibang)

Registration & Fees

The art courses are available at both our Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio and MacPherson Art Studio, please choose your preferred location.

All sessions are to be completed within the course duration stated. No refunds are provided for any courses/workshops/lesson purchased. Further extension of course validity of up to one month only may be provided with proof of overseas travel, hospitalization/medical certificate.

The course package(s) is/are valid within the stated date of registration. Each session under the adult and teenager course package is 2 hours 15 minutes. Visual Arts Centre reserves the right to reject/reschedule your lesson if you are late. Visual Arts Centre reserves the right to cancel/reschedule/postpone any course/session without prior notice. In the event that the course is unable to proceed due to unforeseen circumstances, a full refund of the fees will be provided. The registrant/guardian of the registrant indemnifies and holds Visual Arts Centre and/or its staff harmless from any losses sustained from any activity within the premises of Visual Arts Centre, including personal injury/loss or damages to property.

You will be redirected to the workshop registration page to fill in your enrolment details after you make payment. By clicking “Buy This Package”, you agree with our terms and conditions. Do note that there is no refund for signups.

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Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.