17 Best Things Every Digital Artist Should Own in 2024

_{Some of the links in this blog may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a product.}

What Things Every Digital Artist Should Own or Consider Having?

Are you a digital artist ready to take your drawing experience to the next level this year? Good!

I’m a graphic designer and a digital artist and I’ve worked with design and drawing software my whole life. I work full time remotely from my studio and over the years I’ve collected a few must haves that helped me immensely in succeeding as a creative.

So as a digital artist myself, I’ve created this curated list of 17 things every digital artist should own to help you succeed in your creative journey. Having the right tools can make all the difference in boosting your drawing skills and showing off your artistic style.

Here’s a roundup of essential must-haves

1. Drawing tablet or screen

Also known as graphic tablets, these devices offer precise control and mimic the sensation of drawing on paper. I’ve tried and worked with a bunch of graphics tablets and screens, so here are a few products I highly recommend.

2. Two finger glove

I can’t stress enough how important it is to own a drawing glove, also known as a two-finger glove. A two-finger glove (perfect for left-handed or right-handed artists), helps to minimize smudging and palm sweat designed to reduce friction and enhance precision.

3. Drawing software

Being a digital artist requires you to have drawing software. There are many valid software such as Adobe Photoshop (the one I use), and Manga Studio (specific for comic, manga & graphic artists). There are free options available too, my favorite is Excalidraw, a browser-based whiteboard where you can draw alone or with your friends in a shared live drawing session. Other good ones are Krita, a free open-source painting program, or Clip Studio Paint (up to three months free).

4. Painting apps

I recommend downloading a painting app to sketch ideas while you’re away from your drawing tablet. “Draw every day,” they say. Honestly… you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. But the best way to level up your drawing experience is to draw often. A renowned painting app is Sketchbook, as they quote on their website: “Create, sketch, doodle, and capture your ideas wherever you are”. Another good one is Procreate Pocket, which you can purchase for a small fee, but it’s worth the price.

5. A Cloud storage

Oh boy, this is very important. Having a storage space that is always online and ready for you whenever you need it is a must for not just artists but for every designer out there. A good online storage space is Dropbox, I’ve used it professionally for years and never had any issues. You can also check out Google Drive, as it’s included for free with your Gmail account, up until a certain amount of gigabytes, then you will need to pay a very small fee to add more space.

6. A Stylus pen

In most cases, when you purchase a drawing tablet or screen, the company will include a digital pencil and a pencil holder. The stylus pen will be good for the first few months, but I heard from other professional artists working in the industry that once a digital pen almost exploded in their hands. So always make sure to have a spare one. Here are a few suggestions:

7. A good keyboard

Another important item that I highly recommend is a good keyboard to type away your emails and messages. Again, I worked with many different keyboards, and one that I like and currently using is the Corsair K55 Pro XT, a real game changer it also features an RGB backlight that is very useful for night working (or gaming) sessions.

8. Screen protector

If you want to protect the screen of your iPad Pro, or whichever tablet you own, it would be a good idea to purchase a screen protector. Screen protectors are a good way to enhance the precision of your hand gestures and overall avoid scratches on your precious screen.

9. Reusable water bottle

Keep hydrated! Hydration is as important as having good artistic hardware. Your brain needs water to function and to activate your creative process. So make sure to have a reusable water bottle next to you while you draw, you won’t regret it and you’ll feel better. This is definitely one of the things every digital artist should own.

10. Headphones

Whenever I work, I tend to listen to music or long podcast episodes about creativity, art, or anything else. Especially if you live with someone, having a good quality pair of headphones will help you focus on your work, and avoid distractions and background noises. Here are a few suggestions that I have for you:

11. Blue light filter

If you are to become a professional artist, you’ll spend many, many hours staring at the screen. A useful trick would be to either buy a pair of blue light glasses, that filter the light of the screen to avoid headaches by eye strain or change the setting in your operative system by activating the night mode.

12. Fidget toys

While I’m typing this, I have a fidget toy right in front of me. This can be a soft stress ball to squeeze or any other type of item that you can rely on during the most stressful time of your day.

13. Under desk treadmill

I wrote an entire article about this. An under-desk treadmill is a treadmill that can be placed under your desk, so you can walk while you are in a meeting or following an online art course.

14. Gaming chair or office chair

Every professional artist knows the importance of sitting on a good chair. Avoiding back pains has been a big game changer for my career and my overall health and energy levels. Gaming chairs are as good as office desks and vice versa. Just choose which design you like the most! Here are a few I’d recommend.

15. Digital storage space (HDD or SSD)

I always keep my hard disk and SSD connected to my computer. Every file is saved there, as this will keep my computer fast and reliable while I work with heavier files with programs such as Photoshop. Let me suggest a few good SSDs that will make your life easier.

16. A good under-desk footrest

As you can see from this article, I care about my physical and mental health, and you should too! An under-desk footrest will improve your circulation and support your posture. Here are a few adjustable under-desk footrests.

17. An online art course under your belt

Last but least on the things every digital artist should own, there’s a drawing course. If you’re serious about your artistic career, then I would highly recommend taking a digital art drawing course. There are many reasons why you should purchase a course, one of them is community. Through an online art course you’ll meet new like-minded people and receive valuable feedback from teachers and experienced artists. I would recommend Schoolism.com or one of the CG Master Academy online art courses.

FAQs

Why do digital artists need these essentials?

Personally, and I believe this to be valid for all digital artists, I heavily rely on these essentials to optimize my workflow, boost my creativity, and overcome the many challenges of working in a digital artistic environment the whole day.

What is required to be a digital artist?

To be a digital artist you need at least a computer, a drawing tablet connected to it, and a drawing software. Other than this, everything else is a plus. Make sure to check my list of the essentials that really helped me through my artistic career.

Can I learn digital art if I can’t draw?

Absolutely. When I started with digital art, I didn’t know how to draw like I do now. So my advice is to just start creating without waiting for too long! 🙂

Final Thoughts

Nowadays, digital artists should equip themselves with essential tools like drawing tablets, drawing software, stylus pens, ergonomic accessories, and ergonomic seating to work in a comfortable drawing environment, healthily and sustainably.

I started my artistic career without any of these recommendations, and only when I began implementing them into my daily routine, I discovered how useful and fundamental they were!