Let’s be real:

You don’t need talent.
You don’t need money.
You just need to start.

I didn’t go to art school. I didn’t have fancy tools or a mentor.

I grew up in an Asian family where art wasn’t seen as a real career so I studied computer science instead to keep the peace.

But the first time I got paid from a tech job I bought myself a graphics tablet.

That was the moment I gave myself permission to take digital art seriously.

My First Canvas Was MS Paint

Before Photoshop. Before tablets. Before pressure sensitivity… there was MS Paint

Yes, that one On Windows XP.

No layers. No fancy brushes, no CtrlZ.

Just clicking pixels, one by one.

It was frustrating but it taught me patience and discipline.

Even when I finally got Photoshop, I was still painting on one layer, partly because my old computer couldn’t handle more.

Tip: Don’t wait for perfect tools Start with what you have Learn first Upgrade later

How Coding Helped Me Learn to Draw

I may not have studied art but computer science gave me something just as useful problem solving.

That’s how I approached art. I liked tutorials that broke things down into shapes and structure, especially perspective tutorials that started with cubes. They made sense.

Later, I even learned some 3D to help with my 2D drawing.

Tip: Learn form and perspective early It makes everything else easier

What the Gym Taught Me About Art

I used to think artists were just “naturally gifted.”

That changed when I started going to the gym.

I saw what consistent effort could do. How show showing up every day added up over time

Art is the same.

The sketch? That’s your warmup

The painting? Your workout

Your portfolio? That’s your transformation photo

Tip: Consistency matters more than talent Show up even if its just for 20 minutes

Start with What You Have

My first tablet was cheap and my PC lagged like crazy

But in a way that helped It forced me to work smarter and appreciate the tools more when I could finally afford better ones

Tip:Dont get stuck chasing gear Great art comes from practice not price tags

To Every Beginner And Every Friend Who Gave Up

Over the years, I’ve seen friends get excited about art, buy a tablet… and then stop

Life got in the way. They felt stuck. They gave up too soon.

But some kept going.

They weren’t the most “talented” when they started They just kept showing up

Now some of them are teaching others

Tip:Struggling doesnt mean youre failing It means youre learning

6 Honest Tips for Starting Digital Art

Start cheap: Try Krita Clip Studio Paint Medibang No need to spend big to begin
Use reference: Its not cheating Its training
Build habits: Draw even when you’re not “in the mood.”
Focus on fundamentals: Don’t chase style too early
Track your progress: Save your old drawings. You’ll be glad you did
Share your process: Even if it’s just with a friend. Art grows when its shared

Want to Start Today

I’m giving away the exact digital painting brushes I’ve used for years free

They’re beginner friendly and work even if your setup isn’t powerful

Download My Free Brush Set Here

Resources

Want to see how I’m growing as an artist?

Follow along:

Instagram ArtStation Blog

Final Thoughts

No one’s born an artist

It’s something you grow into, one drawing at a time

You don’t have to be the best

You just have to begin

So open that free app Grab your mouse or tablet

And start drawing.

P.S. This was the very first face I drew once I could finally afford a Wacom tablet. Felt like a big moment for me.

Really appreciate you taking the time to read.

Hi, I’m Allard Lavaritte

I’ve been sketching, painting, and building worlds on paper and screen for over a decade. What started with messy anatomy studies and fan art turned into something much bigger—a career I shaped with consistency, curiosity, and a stubborn refusal to quit.

Now, I’m designing, illustrating, and writing this blog to share what I’ve learned. Not just the polished stuff, but the real process. The burnout. The small wins. The mindset shifts that helped me go from staring at blank pages to creating work I’m proud of.

This space is for artists, beginners, and creative builders who want to get better without drowning in noise. If you’re into progress over perfection, and learning by doing, you’re in the right place.