Sketch created using a Dry Gouache Brush found in the Mid-Century Brush Pack for Procreate.
Duck Two: Pick Your Digital Device
There are pros and cons to using desktops, laptops, iPads, tablets, and smartphones. Choosing the one that’s best for you will depend on what you want to get out of your work.
For instance, a desktop or laptop is going to give you a bigger screen to work with, and more storage to keep your work. An iPad, tablet, and phone allow you to work from literally anywhere, and you can store work on a cloud, but you’ll be giving up screen size. There’s really no right or wrong way to do it, just what’s best for you.
Duck Three: Choose Your Digital Art Software
If you’ve got the basics of drawing down and you’re new to the world of drawing digitally, we recommend choosing one digital art software to work with at first. This will help you learn the quirks of your program without getting overwhelmed with gesture controls that differ between drawing software.
Some of the most popular digital drawing software available today are:
To make your life easier, many of our era-specific brush packs are available as Procreate Brushes, Photoshop Brushes, Illustrator Brushes, and Affinity Brushes so you can choose a platform that works for you while accessing the best digital retro drawing tools designed to work for it. Heck, we even created how to install videos for a bunch of different stuff, like:
02. Pick an Era, Any Era!
“Retro” and “vintage” are broad terms used to describe anything from the past, like Dad’s windbreaker from the 90’s, or your favorite tattered and torn comic book from when you were 10. But when it comes to digital brushes, many packs are created with a certain nostalgic, retro theme in mind. For instance...
The IndustryPress brushes bursting with 19th century inspired lines and texture brushes are going to deliver a completely different look and feel than our Paper Boy Comic Book Paper Textures or DupliTone Halftone Brushes.
