Thousands of years ago, humans used rocks and sticks to etch symbols into cave walls. Today, artists continue to use the resources that are available to them. As technology advances and our access to it expands, we are bound to incorporate it into artistic practices. But digital art hasn’t always been well received even though it has existed since the introduction of computers.

Artists in their 40s may remember that when they got started, many agents and galleries required artists to submit slides of their work. If you were lucky, you could submit a floppy disk with multiple images. Digital artworks were in their own category. People generally didn’t refer to a digitally painted piece as a painting or a 3-D printed creation as a sculpture.

Today, the language is changing as developments in technology shape the format, structure and concepts of art. An artist without a website or social media presence may find it difficult to keep up. Potential customers have access to an endless stream of original art, and submissions to buyers and representatives are as simple as sending an email.

You may wonder if traditional art still has value. Should artists hop on the digital wave or hold fast to tried-and-true techniques? If you’re a steadfast traditional artist, you might resist the merging of technology and art. However, finding a balance can help you learn, make you more efficient and allow you to stay competitive in the marketplace.

Is Traditional Art Dying?

The question of whether traditional art is dying is easily debatable from many perspectives. Cultures change, and societies evolve. Some tools become more valuable over time.

Most experts say that we will always have some form of traditional art. Music, dance, sculpture and painting aren’t going anywhere.

The digital landscape is blurring boundaries and adding options. A painting may no longer be “just a painting.” A mural may involve interactive and digital aspects. Even if an artist delivers a masterpiece as a painting on canvas, they may have used a tablet and computer to sketch out ideas.

Is Digital Art Real Art?

Throughout the years, there has been some controversy as to whether digital art is “real.” Some people are more impressed by a tangible work of art than something created on a computer. Others may feel as though digital art is “cheating.”

Digital art requires just as much skill to produce as traditional art. In some ways, the skillset is similar. Artists should have a sense of color theory, composition and mood. However, someone who draws with a dip pen and ink will create lines and patterns differently than someone who creates black-and-white line drawings on a tablet.

There have always been artists who push the limits of convention and definition. Did Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans really constitute art? Was Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain anything more than a urinal set on its back?

Digital art is just as real as any other art form. In fact, Curioos founder Matt Valoatto says that it is the “pop art of the 21st century.” Without an artist’s skill and creativity, digital art would not exist.

The Benefits of Digital vs. Traditional Art

The rise of digital art has followed the trajectory of technology. As technology progresses, more opportunities for digital art emerge. But the digital environment is doing more than influencing the type of art that people are creating. It is impacting the way they broadcast, publish and sell their work.

A New Way to Gain Visibility

The nostalgic image of an artist is that of a solitary individual immersed in a creative flow. Before the internet existed, artists had to rely on networking, galleries, vendor shows and other in-person approaches to share and sell their work. Today, it’s easy to showcase your process and products online.

Even if you create traditional art using conventional materials, you can share your work digitally. Many artists have social media accounts. They share sketches, behind-the-scenes glimpses into their lives and final pieces that are for sale. Artists can even transform their work into shareable memes, videos and inspirational quotes.

It’s fairly simple to snap a few images of your art with your phone and broadcast it on Instagram, forums and other platforms. You can even use apps to fine-tune the images before you post them. Digital technology has simplified the process of getting noticed.

Increased Efficiency

Even if you don’t create digital art as a final product, you can use technology to streamline your approach to art-making. You can quickly explore ideas, designs, color and composition for a finished piece by working out a digital sketch first. Electronic drawing programs allow you to erase, backtrack and move elements with the click of a button. If you paint murals, you can project the outline onto the wall to take hours off of your prep time.

Enhanced Accessibility

In some cases, digital art is the final product. While some clients may have the budget and desire to purchase or commission original art, many do not. However, someone who can’t afford a traditional mural may have the funds for a printed sheet of vinyl that they can affix to their wall themselves.

The digitization of artistic media has created new opportunities and avenues for artists to sell their work. An artist who paints on large canvases can offer other versions of their creations, providing different price points for distinct markets. Prints and digital images are easier to send to clients via mail or email than actual canvases. Many websites let artists design and upload their own designs to various products, such as fabrics, home décor items and clothing. These opportunities provide a passive income that can give creators more time to develop original art.

Moreover, digitization has enabled accessibility on a global scale. Artists can learn about and apply for showings in exhibitions across the globe. They can also sell custom pieces and reproductions to faraway clients.

By 2015, more than 85 percent of art collectors said that they checked Instagram at least twice a day. As art becomes more visible, the demand for it increases.

New Experiences

Digitization has expanded not only the creation of art but also the experience of it. Multimedia exhibits are combining music and movement with static paintings. Virtual reality allows viewers to immerse themselves in the art. Boundaries are being pushed, and categories are becoming blurred.

For those who adhere to the traditional side of things, this can seem unnatural. However, the evolution of art usually parallels what’s going on in society. It makes sense that technology and creativity are becoming fused. Technology is creating new possibilities, and it can expose people to art who may not otherwise enjoy traditional media.

Digital Art and Covid-19

As the world began to shut down due to the covid-19 pandemic, some artists gained more hours to create. However, the cancellation of in-person exhibitions, events and markets reduced revenue for many creatives. The performing arts took a particularly significant hit. To continue to earn money from their art, they had to find other options.

Many artists turned to the internet. Virtual festivals, run as groups on social media platforms, have allowed musicians to perform for a global audience from their living rooms. Museums have digitized their exhibitions so that people can view traditional art online.

It’s true that experiencing music and art in this way is different than viewing it live and in person. However, the digitization of art is giving the public more ways to immerse themselves in creativity. Preference for traditional art will always exist. But creatives who haven’t had success with traditional media may find inspiration in electronic media. People who haven’t appreciated traditional art may be attracted to digital works.

Lack of in-person access and an increase in digital promotion and creation go hand in hand. Art sales have boomed during the pandemic. Younger collectors are entering the art world because of the expansion into a digital environment. It’s easier to research prices and have a conversation online with an artist or gallery owner.

Art, creativity and culture may be more important than ever in this isolated, divisive atmosphere. Digital technology is making it easier for many to create and enjoy art even when they can’t mingle in person. Those who embrace traditional art and have some resistance toward digital art can still benefit from advances in technology, In fact, if they don’t, they may fall behind when it comes to exposure and creative opportunities.