Digital Art Tools for Kenyan Beginners

Introduction

Digital art is growing in popularity in Kenya. Unlike traditional art, you do not need paints, canvases, or physical materials that run out. Once you have the right tools, you can create unlimited artwork on your computer, tablet, or even smartphone.

Digital art opens many opportunities. You can create social media graphics, design logos, make illustrations for books, create animations, design posters, or simply enjoy creating art without the mess of traditional materials.

This guide will help you understand what tools you need to start creating digital art in Kenya, including affordable options that work within our internet and electricity constraints.

Understanding Digital Art

What Is Digital Art?

Digital art is any art created using digital technology. This includes:

• Digital painting and drawing: Creating artwork similar to traditional painting but on screens
• Graphic design: Creating logos, posters, social media graphics
• Photo editing and manipulation: Enhancing and transforming photos
• 3D modeling: Creating three-dimensional objects and scenes
• Animation: Making moving images and cartoons
• Digital illustration: Drawing for books, magazines, websites

Benefits of Digital Art

No Recurring Costs

• Buy tools once, use forever
• No need to buy paint, canvas, or paper repeatedly
• Save money long-term

Easy to Edit

• Undo mistakes instantly
• Try different colors without starting over
• Experiment without wasting materials

Shareable and Sellable

• Share instantly on social media
• Sell prints without losing original
• Send work to clients digitally
• Build online portfolio easily

Space Efficient

• No need for physical storage
• Save thousands of artworks on one device
• Work from anywhere

Career Opportunities

• Graphic design jobs
• Freelance illustration
• Social media content creation
• Logo design
• Book illustration
• Animation work

Essential Tools for Digital Art

1. Device (Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone)

Computer/Laptop

Best for serious digital art:

• More powerful software options
• Larger screen for detailed work
• Better for long working sessions

Minimum Requirements

• Windows 7 or newer / macOS 10.13 or newer
• 4GB RAM (8GB better)
• Intel i3 processor or equivalent
• 128GB storage (256GB better)

Budget Options in Kenya

• New entry-level laptop: KES 30,000-45,000
• Refurbished laptop: KES 20,000-35,000
• Desktop computer: Often cheaper than laptop

Where to Buy

• Computer shops in Nairobi (Luthuli Avenue, Moi Avenue)
• Jumia and Kilimall online
• Certified refurb shops like Fone Express

Drawing Tablets (for use with computer)

These are flat surfaces you draw on while looking at your computer screen:

Wacom Intuos Small (Most popular beginner tablet)

• Price in Kenya: KES 8,000-12,000
• Pressure-sensitive pen
• Good quality and durability
• Works with most art software

XP-Pen and Huion Tablets

• Cheaper alternatives: KES 5,000-10,000
• Good quality for beginners
• Various sizes available

Where to Buy

• Jumia Kenya
• Computer shops in Nairobi
• Order from Amazon (with shipping)

Display Tablets (Screen you draw directly on)

More expensive but better experience:

• Wacom Cintiq: KES 80,000+ (professional level)
• XP-Pen Artist: KES 35,000-60,000 (mid-range)
• Huion Kamvas: KES 30,000-50,000 (budget-friendly)

Only necessary if you get serious about digital art. Start with regular tablet first.

Android Tablets

Good middle option:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab (with S Pen): KES 25,000-60,000
• Huawei MatePad: KES 20,000-40,000
• Generic Android tablets with stylus: KES 10,000-20,000

Where to Buy

• Safaricom shops
• Phone retailers (Fone Xpress, Phones and More, etc.)
• Online platforms (Jumia, Kilimall)

iPads (Apple)

Best tablets for digital art but expensive:

• iPad (9th generation) with Apple Pencil: KES 60,000-70,000
• iPad Air with Apple Pencil: KES 80,000-100,000
• iPad Pro: KES 120,000+ (professional level)

Where to Buy

• iStore Kenya (certified dealer)
• Computer shops
• From individuals (be careful of fakes)

Smartphones

Can start digital art on phone:

• Any Android phone with 3GB+ RAM
• Works for simple illustrations
• Limited compared to tablets/computers
• Good for learning and practice

2. Stylus or Pen

Types of Styluses

Pressure-Sensitive (Best)

• Detects how hard you press
• Creates lines of different thickness
• Feels more natural
• Comes with drawing tablets
• Apple Pencil for iPad: KES 15,000-18,000

Capacitive (Basic)

• Works like your finger but more precise
• No pressure sensitivity
• Cheap: KES 500-2,000
• Good for casual use

Where to Buy

• Comes included with quality tablets
• Computer and phone shops
• Online platforms
• Markets (for cheap capacitive ones)

3. Art Software

Free Software (Great for Beginners)

Krita (Best free option)

• Professional-quality painting software
• Works on Windows, Mac, Linux
• No watermarks or limitations
• Large brush library
• Download from krita.org

Advantages

• Completely free forever
• Regular updates
• Strong community support
• Tutorials available online

FireAlpaca

• Simple and beginner-friendly
• Windows and Mac
• Good for anime/manga style
• Free download from firealpaca.com

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

• Like a free version of Photoshop
• More complex to learn
• Very powerful
• Better for photo editing than drawing
• Download from gimp.org

MyPaint

• Simple drawing program
• Fast and lightweight
• Good for sketching
• Free from mypaint.org

Free Mobile Apps

Ibis Paint X (Android and iOS)

• Very popular in Kenya
• Many brushes and tools
• Has ads but functional
• Good tutorials within app
• Free from Play Store/App Store

Sketchbook by Autodesk (Android and iOS)

• Professional tools
• Clean interface
• No ads
• Free download

MediBang Paint (Android and iOS)

• Cloud storage
• Good for manga/comics
• Free fonts and tones

Paid Software (When You’re Ready to Invest)

Adobe Photoshop (Industry Standard)

• Monthly subscription: KES 2,200/month (approx)
• Most powerful and popular
• Steep learning curve
• Works with all professional workflows

Clip Studio Paint (Popular for Illustration)

• One-time purchase: KES 6,000-12,000
• Popular for comics and manga
• Works on Windows, Mac, iPad
• Good value compared to subscription

Procreate (iPad Only - Very Popular)

• One-time purchase: KES 1,300 (approx)
• Easy to learn
• Powerful features
• Only works on iPad
• Best value if you have iPad

Affinity Designer/Photo (Alternative to Adobe)

• One-time purchase: KES 7,000-8,000 each
• No subscription
• Professional quality
• Works on Windows, Mac, iPad

How to Buy Software in Kenya

• Download from official websites
• Pay with M-Pesa, credit card, or PayPal
• Some shops sell license keys
• For Adobe, subscribe through Adobe website

4. Internet Access (For Learning and Updates)

What You Need Internet For

• Downloading software and updates
• Watching tutorials
• Uploading work to social media
• Taking online classes
• Downloading brushes and resources

Data-Saving Tips

• Download tutorials when on Wi-Fi
• Use YouTube’s download feature
• Download software updates off-peak hours
• Many art programs work offline once installed

Getting Started with Digital Art

Step 1: Choose Your Setup

Budget Setups

Minimal (Under KES 15,000)

• Android smartphone you already have
• Free app like Ibis Paint X
• Cheap stylus (KES 500-1,000)
• Total extra cost: About KES 1,000

Good for learning basics and deciding if you like digital art.

Entry-Level (KES 25,000-35,000)

• Used or refurbished laptop
• Free software like Krita
• Basic drawing tablet (Huion or XP-Pen)
• Total: About KES 30,000

Good for serious beginners who want quality experience.

Mid-Range (KES 50,000-80,000)

• New laptop or Android tablet with stylus
• Mix of free and paid software
• Better drawing tablet if using laptop
• Total: KES 50,000-80,000

For people committed to digital art.

Professional (KES 100,000+)

• iPad with Apple Pencil OR good laptop with display tablet
• Professional software subscriptions
• Better accessories
• Total: KES 100,000+

For professional artists or serious hobbyists.

Step 2: Install and Learn Your Software

First Day with Your Software

1. Open the program and explore

   • Click around the interface
   • Find the brush tool
   • Try drawing random marks
   • Test different brushes
   • Don’t worry about creating art yet

2. Watch a beginner tutorial

   • Search YouTube for “[your software name] beginner tutorial”
   • Many Kenyan and international creators make tutorials
   • Follow along step-by-step

3. Learn the basic tools

   • Brush tool (for drawing)
   • Eraser tool
   • Selection tools
   • Layers (very important - like stacking transparent papers)
   • Undo (usually Ctrl+Z or Command+Z)
   • Color picker

Step 3: Practice Daily

30-Day Practice Plan for Beginners

Week 1: Basic Shapes and Lines

• Day 1-2: Draw straight lines, circles, squares
• Day 3-4: Practice curves and spirals
• Day 5-7: Combine shapes to make simple objects (cup, house, tree)

Week 2: Understanding Brushes

• Try all default brushes
• Learn difference between brushes
• Practice different pressures
• Experiment with brush sizes

Week 3: Introduction to Layers

• Create multiple layers
• Practice layer management
• Draw on separate layers
• Learn to merge layers

Week 4: Simple Projects

• Draw simple character
• Create social media post
• Make a greeting card
• Color a simple drawing

Practice Time

• Even 15-30 minutes daily helps
• Consistency more important than long sessions
• Save all practice work to see progress

Learning Resources (Mostly Free)

YouTube Channels (Free)

For General Digital Art

• “Teoh on Tech” - Tablet and software reviews
• “Brad Colbow” - Digital art tools and techniques
• “Aaron Blaise” - Professional artist teaching
• “Proko” - Drawing fundamentals

For Specific Software

• Search “[your software] tutorial for beginners”
• Many creators make step-by-step guides

Tips for Learning from YouTube

• Download videos when on Wi-Fi to watch offline
• Follow along while watching
• Pause and rewind as needed
• Practice what you learned immediately

Free Online Courses

Drawabox.com

• Fundamental drawing exercises
• Works for digital and traditional
• Self-paced
• Structured lessons

Ctrl+Paint

• Free digital painting lessons
• Short video format
• Good for beginners

YouTube Playlists

• Many artists create free course series
• Search for “digital art course” or “digital painting basics”

Books

Available at local bookshops or download:

• “How to Draw” by Scott Robertson
• “Color and Light” by James Gurney
• “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards

Can find PDFs online or order physical books.

Social Media Learning

Instagram and TikTok

• Many artists share quick tips
• Use hashtags like #digitalart #arttutorial
• Short, easy-to-consume content

Pinterest

• Search for tutorials
• Save references and inspiration
• Find step-by-step guides

Building Your Skills

Essential Skills to Learn

1. Understanding Layers

Layers are like stacked transparent papers. You can:

• Draw on different layers
• Move layers independently
• Hide or delete layers without affecting others
• Change layer opacity

This is THE most important digital art concept.

2. Using Selection Tools

Select parts of your artwork to:

• Move or transform specific areas
• Apply effects to selected areas only
• Copy and paste parts of your art

3. Color Theory Basics

Learn about:

• Primary, secondary, tertiary colors
• Complementary colors
• Warm and cool colors
• Using limited color palettes

4. Basic Composition

How to arrange elements in your artwork:

• Rule of thirds
• Balance and symmetry
• Focal points
• Negative space

5. Light and Shadow

Understanding how light works:

• Where shadows fall
• Highlight placement
• Creating depth

Finding Your Style

Don’t Rush

• Your style develops over time
• Try copying artists you like (for practice only)
• Experiment with different techniques
• Your unique style will emerge naturally

Save Everything

• Keep early work
• See your progress over months/years
• Learn from old mistakes

Dealing with Kenya-Specific Challenges

Power Outages

Solutions

• Save your work frequently (every few minutes)
• Enable auto-save in your software settings
• Use laptop instead of desktop (has battery)
• Invest in UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for desktop: KES 8,000-15,000

Limited Internet

Work Offline

• Most software works without internet once installed
• Download tutorials when you have WiFi
• Download brush packs and resources in advance
• Create offline library of references

Hardware Costs

Start Small

• Begin with phone or what you have
• Upgrade gradually as you earn from your art
• Buy refurbished when possible
• Take care of equipment to make it last

Software Costs

Use Free Options

• Krita is professional-quality and free
• Only buy software when you’ve outgrown free options
• Watch for sales (Black Friday, etc.)
• Student discounts available for some software

Making Money with Digital Art

Freelance Services

What You Can Offer

• Logo design: KES 2,000-20,000 per logo
• Social media graphics: KES 500-2,000 per post
• Poster design: KES 1,500-10,000
• Illustrations: KES 2,000-50,000 depending on complexity
• Portrait commissions: KES 1,000-15,000

Where to Find Clients

• Facebook and WhatsApp groups
• Instagram posts with your work
• Fiverr and Upwork (international clients)
• Local businesses directly
• Friends and family to start

Selling Prints

How It Works

• Create digital artwork
• Print on quality paper or canvas
• Sell physical prints
• Keep digital file to print more

Printing Services in Kenya

• Print shops in Nairobi CBD
• Westlands printing services
• University areas (cheaper printing)
• Online printing services

Social Media Content

Create Content For

• Businesses needing graphics
• Influencers needing visuals
• Event posters
• Educational materials

Teaching

Once you learn:

• Teach others online or in person
• Create YouTube tutorials (earn from ads)
• Paid online courses
• In-person workshops

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Buying Expensive Tools First

Start with free/cheap options. Learn if you enjoy digital art before investing thousands.

Mistake 2: Not Learning Fundamentals

Digital tools don’t replace drawing skills. Practice basic drawing alongside learning software.

Mistake 3: Using Too Many Tools

Master a few brushes before trying all of them. Simplicity is often better.

Mistake 4: Not Saving Frequently

Power cuts happen. Save every few minutes.

Mistake 5: Comparing to Professionals

Don’t compare your day 1 to someone’s year 10. Everyone starts as a beginner.

Mistake 6: Giving Up Too Soon

Digital art feels different from traditional art at first. Give yourself at least 30 days of practice.

Conclusion

Starting digital art in Kenya is more accessible now than ever before. You can begin with just a smartphone and free software, learning from free YouTube tutorials.

As you progress, invest in better tools gradually. A drawing tablet and decent software can launch a professional career. Many Kenyan digital artists now earn good income from freelance work, teaching, or selling their art.

The most important factors are not expensive tools but dedication to practice and continuous learning. Save your work frequently (remember those power cuts!), use free resources wisely, and connect with other Kenyan digital artists online.

Start today with whatever device you have. Open a free art app, watch a tutorial, and make your first digital mark. Your digital art journey begins with that first stroke, not with expensive equipment. The tools can come later. What matters is that you start creating.