Looking to improve your digital art skills? Udemy offers a wide range of courses for artists at all levels, covering everything from beginner-friendly basics to advanced techniques like photo-realistic rendering and character design. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 online digital art courses on Udemy!
Top 10 Best Online Digital Art Courses to help you choose the one that fits your goals:
- The Ultimate Digital Painting Course: 20+ hours, 60+ projects, includes portfolio tips.
- Digital Painting MEGA Course: 16+ hours, focus on photorealistic rendering and social media advice.
- Ultimate Guide to Digital Sketching: 6 hours, flexible with tools like Photoshop and Procreate.
- Character Art School: 19.5 hours, tailored for animation, gaming, and comics.
- Master Digital Illustration: 8 hours, beginner-friendly Adobe Illustrator course.
- Learn Procreate: 18 hours, perfect for iPad users with Procreate.
- Advanced Digital Painting: 16 hours, professional-level concept art techniques.
- Photo-Realistic Digital Painting: 20+ hours, step-by-step guide for lifelike art.
- Digital Matte Painting: 10 hours, focused on film and video game environments.
- The Art & Science of Drawing: Daily lessons blending traditional and digital techniques.
Each course offers lifetime access, hands-on projects, and active communities to support your growth. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, there’s something here for you to start creating amazing digital art today.
Quick Comparison Table
| Course Name | Duration | Skill Level | Key Focus | Tools/Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ultimate Digital Painting | 20+ hrs | Beginner to Advanced | Digital painting, portfolio | Photoshop, Procreate |
| Digital Painting MEGA Course | 16+ hrs | Beginner to Advanced | Photorealistic rendering | Drawing tablet, software |
| Ultimate Guide to Digital Sketching | 6 hrs | Beginner to Advanced | Sketching techniques | Photoshop, Procreate |
| Character Art School | 19.5 hrs | Intermediate | Character design for industries | Traditional & digital |
| Master Digital Illustration | 8 hrs | Beginner | Vector art | Adobe Illustrator |
| Learn Procreate | 18 hrs | Beginner | iPad digital art | Procreate |
| Advanced Digital Painting | 16 hrs | Intermediate to Advanced | Concept art | Digital painting software |
| Photo-Realistic Digital Painting | 20+ hrs | Beginner to Advanced | Lifelike rendering | Digital painting tools |
| Digital Matte Painting | 10 hrs | Intermediate | Matte painting for film/game | Photoshop, Nuke |
| The Art & Science of Drawing | Daily 20-min lessons | All levels | Fundamentals, shading, volumetric drawing | SketchBook Pro |
Choose the course that aligns with your goals and tools, and start creating today!
The Ultimate Digital Painting Course
1. The Ultimate Digital Painting Course: Beginner to Advanced
This course offers over 20 hours of content split into 18 modules, packed with 60+ hands-on projects to help you master digital painting. You’ll dive into topics like drawing basics, colour theory, lighting, textures, character design, and creating photo-realistic art.
An active Discord community lets you share work, get feedback, and connect with others. Plus, you get lifetime access with updates to keep your skills sharp. There’s even a bonus section on building a professional portfolio, using social media, and marketing yourself as an artist.
With a clear teaching structure and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s a great fit whether you’re just starting out or already have experience.
| Course Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Over 20 hours of lessons |
| Projects | 60+ practical exercises |
| Modules | 18 in-depth sections |
| Community | Active Discord group |
| Access | Lifetime, with updates |
| Extras | Worksheets, quizzes |
| Guarantee | 30-day refund option |
For anyone wanting a hands-on, well-organized learning path, this course is a solid foundation before diving into more specialized topics.
2. Digital Painting MEGA Course: Beginner to Advanced
This course takes you through everything from basic sketching to advanced photorealistic rendering, offering a solid starting point for artists looking to improve their digital painting skills.
With 16 modules and over 17 projects, you’ll learn essential techniques like brushwork, light and color theory, and different painting styles, all with clear, step-by-step instructions.
“This course will take you from having little knowledge in digital painting to creating advanced art and having a deep understanding of digital painting fundamentals.” – Course Description, Udemy [1]
Here’s a quick overview of what’s included:
| Course Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 16+ hours of video content |
| Projects | 17+ hands-on exercises |
| Sections | 16 detailed modules |
| Support | Active Discord community |
| Resources | Worksheets and quizzes |
| Bonus Content | Portfolio tips, social media advice |
| Access | Lifetime access with updates |
To get started, you’ll need a drawing tablet and painting software. The course also provides extras like worksheets and quizzes to help you practice. Lifetime access means you can revisit the material anytime, and the community support and bonus portfolio-building section are great for those aiming to grow their art career.
If you’re more interested in focusing on sketching techniques, the next course might be just what you’re looking for.
3. Ultimate Guide to Digital Sketching: Beginner to Advanced
If you’re looking to build a solid skill set in digital sketching, this course by Austin Batchelor is a great starting point. With over 6 hours of video lessons, it covers everything you need to know to grow from a beginner to a more advanced digital artist. It’s rated 4.6/5.0 by more than 3,500 students, which speaks volumes about its quality and practical focus.
One of the standout features of this course is its flexibility with digital art software. Whether you’re using Photoshop, Procreate, or another platform, Batchelor’s methods apply across the board. You’ll learn how to sketch from both real-life references and your imagination, refine your work with advanced techniques, and create a portfolio that grabs attention from art directors.
| Course Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 hours of video content |
| Student Rating | 4.6/5.0 (3,500+ reviews) |
| Skill Level | Beginner to Advanced |
| Software Compatibility | Works with Photoshop, Procreate, and more |
| Bonus Content | Advanced techniques and exercises |
| Portfolio Support | Guidance for social media portfolios |
“The course effectively delivers on its promises and provides valuable learning experiences through clear, step-by-step instructions”, says the course description on Udemy [1].
The course also includes bonus modules that dive into photo-realistic painting and character design, making it perfect for artists who want to expand their abilities. Batchelor is known for being highly supportive, offering personalized help to students when needed. The portfolio guidance is particularly helpful, focusing on showcasing your sketching skills in a way that stands out in a crowded digital art market.
Once you’ve nailed the basics of digital sketching, you’re ready to elevate your skills further. The next course dives into specialized techniques for character art – stay tuned!
4. Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing
Character Art School offers a 19.5-hour course tailored for those aiming to excel in character design for animation, gaming, and comics. It builds on basic sketching skills and dives into the specifics of professional character creation.
Here’s what the course includes:
| Course Components | Details |
|---|---|
| Video Tutorials | 19.5 hours of step-by-step lessons |
| Additional Materials | 27 downloadable resources |
| Key Skills | Character drawing and digital painting |
| Industries | Animation, gaming, comics |
The curriculum is carefully structured, starting with essential techniques and progressing to advanced digital painting. Lessons are paired with hands-on exercises, making the content approachable whether you prefer working with traditional tools or digital platforms.
“The course effectively guides learners through various projects and exercises, helping them understand how to apply their skills in real-world scenarios” [3].
One standout feature is its focus on portfolio development. Unlike general art portfolios, this course zeroes in on creating character designs suited for animation and gaming. You’ll work on dynamic characters, expression sheets, and turnarounds – key components for breaking into these industries.
While the course is regularly priced at $129.99, it’s frequently available for just $19.99, making it an accessible option for budding artists.
If you’re interested in expanding your skills beyond character design, the next course will cover the basics of digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator.
5. Master Digital Illustration: Adobe Illustrator for Beginners
Adobe Illustrator is a key tool for creating vector-based digital art, and this course is designed to help beginners get comfortable using it. Led by Widhi Muttaqien, an experienced instructor, this 8-hour course provides a step-by-step guide to learning vector illustration.
| Course Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours of video lessons |
| Skill Level | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Topics | Vector art, tools, design basics |
| Projects | Icons, logos, book covers |
| Extras | Downloadable files, PDF cheat sheet |
The course begins with the basics – covering essential tools and techniques – before moving into topics like geometric artwork and isometric design. You’ll learn how to create clean, modern designs and even prepare your work for animation in Adobe After Effects.
“Embark on a journey to master Adobe Illustrator!”
It’s not just about learning the software; this course focuses on practical applications. You’ll create portfolio-ready vector illustrations and get tips on freelancing and selling your artwork online. With hands-on projects, you’ll build the skills to use Illustrator professionally.
If you’re interested in a more hands-on, tactile approach to digital art, the next course on Procreate might be just what you need.
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6. Learn Procreate: Design and Digital Art for Beginners
Led by Simon Foster, a designer with over 30 years of experience, this highly-rated Procreate course has attracted 17.8K students and boasts an impressive 4.8/5.0 rating from 3.5K reviews. It offers 18 hours of beginner-friendly content, tailored for those eager to dive into digital art on the iPad.
| Course Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Duration | 18 hours of content |
| Instructor Rating | 4.8/5.0 |
| Total Enrolments | 17.8K students |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Resources | Custom brushes, Procreate files |
This course focuses on the essentials, covering everything from navigating Procreate’s interface to managing layers, customizing brushes, and even exploring animation basics. It’s designed specifically for iPad users, making it a great choice for artists who want a portable and efficient digital art setup.
Foster takes a hands-on approach, helping students create projects like botanical drawings and fabric patterns. Each lesson is self-contained, allowing you to learn at your own pace. The course also includes Procreate files and access to over 200 customizable brushes, helping students refine their style while mastering the app’s features.
“Perfect for beginners! I feel confident using Procreate now and without this class I likely would’ve given up on the app rather quickly.” – Cassie F.
Once you’re comfortable with Procreate’s tools, you’ll be ready to move on to advanced concept art techniques in the next course.
7. Advanced Digital Painting: Techniques for Concept Art
This 16-hour program takes artists beyond the basics, diving into advanced techniques for creating professional-level concept art. Spanning 16 sections, the course focuses on photorealistic rendering, texture creation, and advanced colour theory.
| Course Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Duration | 16 hours |
| Total Sections | 16 |
| Projects | 17+ hands-on assignments |
| Skill Level | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Key Tools | Digital painting software, drawing tablet |
The course is designed to teach skills essential for professional concept art. Participants will explore how to render realistic surface textures, create dynamic lighting effects, and craft detailed compositions that align with industry expectations. Additionally, it offers guidance on building a standout portfolio tailored to fields like video games and animation [1].
Through over 17 assignments, students will work on projects ranging from intricate character designs to expansive landscapes. These tasks are designed to equip artists with versatile skills while encouraging them to approach complex challenges with confidence [1][2].
“The course breaks down complex techniques into manageable steps, making it easier for artists to improve their skills while building a professional portfolio” [2].
Each section ensures a strong foundation by focusing on key principles like value, contrast, and color theory before moving on to advanced methods.
For those eager to refine their skills even further, the next course offers an in-depth exploration of photo-realistic digital painting techniques.
8. Photo-Realistic Digital Painting: Step-by-Step Guide
This course offers detailed instruction for creating lifelike digital artwork. With more than 20 hours of lessons spread across 18 sections, it guides students in mastering light, colour, and brush techniques through hands-on projects.
| Course Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Duration | 20+ hours |
| Total Sections | 18 |
| Projects | 17+ practical assignments |
| Skill Level | Beginner to Advanced |
| Required Tools | Digital painting software, drawing tablet |
| Support | Course forum, instructor email |
The curriculum is designed to build expertise in photo-realistic techniques. Students work on projects featuring textures like organic surfaces and metals, with each task aimed at improving their rendering skills. The instructor breaks down complex methods into simple, step-by-step instructions, making it easier to follow and build confidence over time [1].
“The step-by-step approach makes even the most complex photo-realistic techniques accessible to learners at different skill levels, while providing the depth needed for professional development” [2].
Participants also get custom brushes and reference materials specifically created for achieving photo-realistic effects. The course emphasizes creating lifelike textures and mastering the interplay of light and brushwork [1][4]. Through the dedicated forum, students receive detailed feedback to refine their techniques and bring their work closer to true realism.
9. Digital Matte Painting for Film and Video Games
Matte painting blends artistic techniques with advanced digital tools, playing a key role in visual storytelling for movies and games. This course offers 10 hours of focused instruction over 4 weeks, designed to teach the essentials of digital matte painting.
| Course Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 hours |
| Weekly Workload | 2.5 hours |
| Required Tools | Adobe Photoshop, Nuke |
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
| Projects | Environment creation, scene integration |
| Resources | Custom brushes, textures, reference images |
The hands-on projects mimic real-world production workflows, helping students build practical skills. While no prior experience is mandatory, familiarity with Photoshop can be an advantage. The course includes Q&A sessions with the instructor, assignment feedback, and a peer-focused community forum for collaboration and networking.
“The course’s practical approach to matte painting techniques has proven invaluable for students transitioning into professional roles within the film and video game industries.”
The curriculum focuses on both technical and artistic aspects, such as:
- Creating detailed environments and integrating them into scenes
- Adjusting light and atmosphere to enhance realism
- Streamlining workflows for professional-level results
Students gain access to downloadable assets like brushes, textures, and reference images, all tailored for creating high-quality matte paintings. Through guided projects, participants learn to design realistic landscapes, cityscapes, and imaginative worlds that align with industry expectations.
For those eager to explore the next step, the following course dives into the techniques of digital drawing, covering both its artistic and technical dimensions.
10. The Art & Science of Drawing: Digital Edition
Taught by Brent Eviston, The Art & Science of Drawing: Digital Edition offers a structured digital drawing course backed by over 20 years of teaching experience. It blends classical drawing techniques with modern digital tools, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned artists transitioning to digital art.
| Course Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Duration | 20-minute daily lessons |
| Skill Level | All levels |
| Required Tools | Digital drawing tablet, SketchBook Pro |
| Key Topics | Fundamentals, volumetric drawing, shading |
| Projects | Daily drawing assignments |
| Resources | Bonus demonstrations, practice materials |
This course takes the approach that drawing is a skill anyone can learn with practice – not just a natural talent. Each 20-minute lesson includes assignments to help reinforce what you’ve learned. The curriculum covers techniques often reserved for private art academies, making it especially useful for those aiming to master digital art.
Key areas of focus include:
- Core Fundamentals: Learn dynamic mark-making and three-dimensional drawing principles.
- Digital Tools: Get comfortable with navigating and using digital art software.
- Advanced Techniques: Explore volumetric drawing, shading, and figure drawing basics.
Recent updates to the course feature enhanced visuals and new demonstrations on botanical art, birds, and figure drawing. While SketchBook Pro is recommended for its user-friendly interface, the skills taught can be applied to other digital platforms, making it a great bridge from traditional to digital art.
Eviston’s teaching emphasizes a constructional approach to drawing, focusing on building forms and shapes rather than relying solely on measurements. Students value this practical, hands-on method, which encourages consistent practice to develop skills over time.
This course delivers a solid grounding in drawing essentials, making it a worthwhile resource for anyone looking to grow as a digital artist.
Conclusion
Udemy offers a wide range of digital art courses designed to meet the needs of artists at all levels. From beginners to advanced learners, there’s something for everyone, with practical projects and detailed instruction to help you reach your artistic goals.
If you’re just starting out, consider foundational courses like “The Ultimate Digital Painting Course.” For those with some experience, specialized options such as character design or photo-realistic painting can help refine your skills. These courses not only enhance your abilities but also provide tools for building a portfolio and gaining insights into the industry.
Pick a course that fits your current skill level and artistic ambitions. For example, “Advanced Digital Painting” is ideal for concept art enthusiasts, while “Learn Procreate” focuses on mastering software. Whether your interest lies in illustration, concept art, or character design, the variety of teaching styles ensures you’ll find a course that suits you.
With lifetime access to materials and active community support, you can learn at your own pace while working on projects that prepare you for professional opportunities. These courses combine expert guidance with hands-on experience to help you turn your creative vision into reality.
Take the first step by choosing a course that aligns with your aspirations and start building your skills today. Udemy’s digital art courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to bring your artistic ideas to life.
