Many art programs have filters that alter pre-existing images.
Digital art refers to any graphic art created using a computer. In the early days of computers, there were very few software programs that helped artists create digital art. One of the earliest digital art programs was Deluxe Paint for the Commodore Amiga, which featured several key elements still found in most art programs today, including fill tools, a crosshair-style cursor, and the pencil tool. These days, digital artists can use either bitmap-based art software, which renders artwork pixel by pixel, or vector-based art programs, which render art via mathematical algorithms.
Vector vs. Bitmap
Generally, artists who create full-color, painting-like pieces prefer to use the more user-friendly bitmap programs, wheras logo designers and layout artists prefer to use vector-based programs. Bitmap art programs can yield results similar to those of traditional art mediums, but with a greater level of control. However, bitmaps lose resolution when they are enlarged, becoming pixilated and rough. Vector-based art does not suffer from this problem, since each line is defined by an algorithm. Vector art can be converted to any size without degrading, but vector art programs are more limited when it comes to shading and fine detail.
Mixed Media
Many artists create their pieces using several mediums or several programs. For example, a digital artist may first draw her piece out on paper before scanning it into her computer. Then she can use her art software to color the scanned image. Alternatively, a digital artist may run her line art through a vector-based program first before working on it in a bitmap-based program. Doing so smooths out rough edges in the lines and makes them more bold.
Freeware vs. Commercial
For a long time, commercial art software had a huge advantage over their more-limited freeware competitors. This has largely changed, however, as freeware programs gain more features and become more robust. Commercial software is still the art industry standard, but you no longer need commercially priced software to do professional-looking work. Many freeware programs can replicate the most important features of commercial software.
Tablets
The basic tools of a digital artist are a computer and a mouse, but most artists find this too limiting. They often use a digital tablet, as well. Tablets are flat pads accompanied by a stylus. The artist drags the stylus over the pad in order to draw, simulating a pencil on paper. An artist can control a tablet more easily than he can a mouse, and tablets are more ergonomic. Professional digital artists may instead use a tablet PC or a graphical tablet such as a Cintiq. Such tablets actually display the artwork on flat screens instead of a computer monitor, and the artist can draw directly onto the screen with his stylus.
Uses for Digital Art
Most commercial art is digitally rendered, be it in the form of advertisements, logos, posters, game art, or packaging. Photography, too, is often digitally altered using art programs. Such photo manipulations have become a genre unto themselves. The increasingly easy access to digital art software also means that amateurs can use the same tools as professionals. This has lead to the rise of many online galleries dedicated to digital art and a number of independent online comics.
