Turn Art into Digital Art: Quick How‑to for Every Artist

Got a canvas you love but want it online? You don’t need expensive gear or a PhD in tech. In a few easy steps you can turn any piece into a crisp digital file ready for social media, prints, or a new digital painting.

Why Digitize Your Artwork?

First, a digital copy is a backup. One slip, a flood, or a bad move and the original could be gone forever. Second, a digital version lets you share your work worldwide in seconds—no shipping, no gallery walls. Third, once it’s online you can remix, animate, or sell prints without re‑painting.

Most artists think they need a professional scanner or a pricey DSLR. Not true. A good phone camera, a flat‑bed scanner, or a budget mirrorless can all do the job if you follow a few tricks.

Step‑by‑Step Methods

1. Use a Flat‑Bed Scanner for Small Works
Place the artwork face‑down on the scanner glass. Choose a high resolution—300 dpi is enough for prints up to 18×24 inches. Scan as a TIFF or PNG to keep details. After scanning, crop the edges and adjust brightness in any free editor like GIMP.

2. Photograph Large Pieces with a Smartphone
Find a well‑lit room with even natural light. Hang the painting on a plain wall, then tape a white sheet behind it to avoid shadows. Position the phone so the lens is parallel to the surface; use a tripod or a stable surface to keep the shot steady. Shoot in the highest quality setting, then use an app to straighten and crop.

3. Mirrorless or DSLR for Pro‑Level Detail
If you have a camera, set the aperture around f/8 for sharpness, use ISO 100‑200 to reduce noise, and mount the camera on a tripod. Light the artwork from two sides with soft boxes or daylight lamps. Take a RAW file, then convert to PNG or high‑res JPEG in Lightroom.

4. Clean Up the Image
Open the file in a free editor. Fix color shifts by sampling a known white spot and adjusting levels. Remove any dust spots with the healing brush. Save a master file (TIFF) and a web‑ready version (JPEG under 2 MB).

5. Turn the Digital File into a New Creation
Import the cleaned image into Photoshop, Procreate, or Krita. Use layers to add digital brushwork, textures, or animation. The original stays safe while you experiment without risking paint.

That’s it—no studio full of equipment, just a few household items and a willingness to try. Once you’ve digitized one piece, the process gets faster, and you’ll start wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.

Remember to back up your files on an external drive or cloud service. The more copies you have, the safer your work is. With a digital version in hand, you can sell prints on Etsy, post on Instagram, or even license your art for merch. Turning art into digital art opens doors you didn’t know existed—so grab your phone, scanner, or camera and start converting today.

16 Sep, 2025

How to Turn Your Art into Digital Art: Scanner, Camera, and Pro Editing Workflow

by Alaric Westcombe | Sep, 16 2025 | | 0 Comments

A practical 2025 guide for beginners on digitizing drawings and paintings. Learn scanner vs camera workflows, color fixes, file formats, and print-ready exports.