What is digital painting? Learn all about it in this free webinar featuring Mike Hernandez, Tiffanie Mang, and Eric Rhoads!
Action Step: Register for Digital Painting Live, June 14th, 2025
Discover the techniques of Hollywood’s top artists at Digital Painting Live! Watch them use digital painting tools live to create artwork at the highest level — so you can explore new possibilities in your own work: www.digitalpaintinglive.com.
The world of art is constantly evolving, and one of the most fascinating developments in recent years is the rise of digital painting. This movement bridges traditional techniques with modern technology, offering artists new ways to create, explore, and express their creativity. Today, we dive deep into the digital painting movement with insights from industry veterans Mike Hernandez and Tiffanie Mang, alongside Eric Rhoads, founder of Streamline Publishing. Their combined experiences from animation, traditional painting, and digital art provide a comprehensive view of how digital painting is reshaping the art landscape.
Watch the free webinar here:
The Intersection of Traditional and Digital Art
Both Mike Hernandez and Tiffanie Mang have backgrounds steeped in traditional media, but their journeys into digital painting reveal a fascinating blend of old and new. Mike, who started his career at DreamWorks, recalls the early days when Photoshop was just beginning to be integrated into animation workflows. Initially, digital tools were used primarily for photo retouching scanned paintings, but gradually, entire backgrounds started to be painted digitally. Mike’s experience demonstrates how digital painting has become an essential tool in the animation industry, evolving from an optional add-on to a core part of the creative process.
Tiffanie’s path into animation and fine art also highlights this transition. Starting with hand-painted films like Loving Vincent, where every frame was an oil painting, she witnessed firsthand the labor-intensive traditional methods. Nowadays, she works primarily with digital tools to create color keys and backgrounds for major studios like Marvel and Warner Brothers. Tiffanie emphasizes that while digital painting is now the norm in animation, the foundational skills of traditional painting—like understanding color, light, and composition—remain critical.
Why Traditional Skills Matter in Digital Painting
One of the key takeaways from this discussion is that digital painting doesn’t replace traditional techniques—it complements and enhances them. Mike stresses that the principles of mixing color, understanding values, and mastering composition are exactly the same in digital as in traditional media. The difference lies in the tools: digital platforms like Photoshop or Procreate offer conveniences such as undo functions, layers, and adjustable brushes, which accelerate learning and experimentation.
The Role of Plein Air Painting in Digital Art
Interestingly, many top digital artists also practice plein air painting—the traditional method of painting outdoors directly from nature. This practice enriches their digital work in meaningful ways. Tiffanie shares how plein air painting has been invaluable in her role as a color key artist, where she must quickly and accurately depict different lighting scenarios and landscapes from storyboards.
Mike elaborates on this symbiotic relationship, explaining that plein air painting sharpens an artist’s eye for light, color temperature, and narrative flow. When painting outdoors, artists learn to simplify shapes, push and pull compositions, and tell stories through light and shadow. These skills translate directly into digital workflows, where understanding the nuances of light and color is crucial for creating compelling digital scenes.
Eric Rhoads, founder of Streamline Publishing and a plein air painter himself, has observed this trend closely. He notes that studios increasingly bring plein air artists in to train their digital teams, recognizing the value of traditional observation skills in creating more vibrant and believable digital artwork. “No plein air, no gain,” as Tiffanie puts it, sums up this essential connection.
Enhancing Creativity with Digital Tools
Digital painting tools offer unique advantages for artists looking to experiment and iterate quickly. Both Mike and Tiffanie use digital platforms to create multiple versions of compositions, test color schemes, and develop tonal studies before committing to traditional studio paintings. This ability to “workshop” ideas digitally saves time, paint, and materials, while encouraging creative risk-taking.
Mike highlights the speed and flexibility of digital “color calisthenics” — quick, focused studies that help artists understand light and color relationships. These exercises are faster and less wasteful than traditional methods, allowing artists to build their skills more efficiently. Tiffanie adds that apps like Infinite Painter and Heavy Paint on the iPad enable her to capture plein air studies digitally, which she can later reference when painting with gouache or oils.
Essential Digital Painting Tools and Software
For artists new to digital painting, the variety of software and hardware options can be overwhelming. The conversation reveals some popular choices and recommendations:
- Photoshop: The industry standard for professional digital painting, favored by Mike for its extensive features and flexibility, especially suited for studio work requiring layers and adjustments.
- Procreate: A highly intuitive and affordable app for iPad users, favored by many artists for quick studies and on-the-go painting.
- Infinite Painter: Loved by Tiffanie for its brush variety, color wheel features, and ability to import references directly on the canvas, enhancing the painting experience on tablets.
- Heavy Paint: A minimalist painting app offering a more traditional feel and limited layers, which Tiffanie appreciates for its simplicity and graphic style capabilities.
Hardware-wise, a stylus with pressure sensitivity is essential for mimicking the feel of traditional brushstrokes. Both Mike and Tiffanie emphasize that while painting with fingers is possible, a stylus greatly improves control and the overall experience. For those concerned about the smooth glass surface of tablets, some artists explore screen protectors or special pen tips to simulate the tactile feedback of paper, though many find the standard setup sufficient after a short adjustment period.
Compatibility and Accessibility
Digital painting is accessible across platforms, with Photoshop available on both Mac and PC, and many tablet apps supporting iOS and Android devices. This broad compatibility means artists can start experimenting with digital painting using devices they already own, such as tablets or even smartphones, and gradually invest in more specialized equipment as they grow.
Digital Painting as Fine Art
A frequently asked question is whether digital paintings can be considered fine art. The consensus among the experts is clear: the artistic value lies in the skill and expression, not the medium.
Eric Rhoads offers a thoughtful perspective on this debate, comparing it to historical shifts in art perception. Just as illustrators like Norman Rockwell were once excluded from fine art circles, digital artists have faced skepticism. However, with the rise of high-quality digital prints and the acceptance of limited edition reproductions of traditional paintings, the boundaries are blurring. Digital paintings, when printed and presented thoughtfully, can hold equal aesthetic and collectible value.
Upcoming Event: Digital Painting Live
For artists eager to dive deeper into the digital painting movement, an exciting opportunity awaits. On June 14th, Digital Painting Live will bring together a stellar lineup of instructors and industry professionals for a one-day virtual event. Co-hosted by Tiffanie Mang and Eric Rhoads, the event features luminaries such as:
- Marco Bucci – Renowned digital artist and YouTube educator
- John Burton – Concept artist and production designer with extensive film experience
- Dylan Cole – Legendary production designer known for work on Avatar and Maleficent
- Nathan Fowkes – Celebrated artist bridging traditional and digital techniques
- Mike Hernandez – Industry veteran with deep expertise in digital and traditional painting
- Jennifer Wang – Talented vis artist and gouache painter
This event is designed for artists of all levels interested in expanding their digital painting skills, understanding composition, color, and design, and gaining insights from top professionals. Multiple ticket options offer live access and replay packages, making it accessible and flexible for busy schedules.
Why Attend Digital Painting Live?
- Learn practical techniques used by Hollywood professionals and master artists.
- See live demonstrations with commentary, slowed-down replays, and detailed explanations.
- Engage with a vibrant community of artists worldwide.
- Explore how digital tools can enhance traditional painting workflows.
- Gain inspiration and motivation to push your art to the next level.
Whether you are a traditional painter curious about digital media, a digital artist seeking to refine your skills, or an animator looking to deepen your understanding of color and composition, this event offers invaluable learning opportunities.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Painting
The digital painting movement is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful extension of the artist’s toolkit that harmonizes with traditional methods to unlock new creative potential. Mastering both traditional and digital techniques enriches an artist’s vision, efficiency, and storytelling ability.
Digital painting is accessible, versatile, and increasingly essential in the worlds of animation, fine art, and illustration. With the right mindset and foundational skills, artists can leverage digital tools to experiment boldly, compose thoughtfully, and create works that resonate deeply.
If you’re ready to explore this dynamic field, consider starting with accessible apps like Procreate or Infinite Painter, invest in a pressure-sensitive stylus, and most importantly, continue honing your traditional skills alongside your digital practice. And for a comprehensive dive, don’t miss the upcoming Digital Painting Live event, where you can learn directly from the best in the industry.
Art is evolving—and so can you.
***
Become a Realism Today Ambassador for the chance to see your work featured in our newsletter, on our social media, and on this site.
