The History of Digital Painting: The First Steps

Painting is one of the oldest forms of human expression. From the rock paintings of prehistoric people to the great masters of the Renaissance, art has evolved along with humanity, influenced by the materials and techniques of each era. However, at the end of the 20th century, a new form of creation made its appearance: digital painting .

It wasn't just a new technique; it was a radical shift in the way artists perceived their own work. For the first time, art could be created without physical media – no canvas, no brushes, no paints. The tools of art became software and pixels .

The First Digital Imaging (1960-1980)

Although the idea of digital art seems modern, its roots reach back to the 1960s, when the first computers were used for data visualization and experimental art .

• Ben Laposky , in 1950, created the first "Oscillons", abstract images using electronic oscillators and cathode ray tube displays.

• Frieder Nake and Georg Nees , in the 1960s, developed algorithmic images using programming.

• Harold Cohen , a traditional painter, created AARON , a program that could produce autonomous drawings, introducing the idea of computational art.

These early attempts, however, were not yet considered "digital painting", as there was no sense of human intervention in the form we know it today.

The Birth of Digital Painting (1980-1990)

The real transition to digital painting began in the 1980s, with the development of the first graphical environments and software that allowed artists to draw and paint directly on the screen.

• In 1984, Apple released MacPaint , one of the first programs to allow freehand drawing with a mouse. It was simple, but it laid the foundation for future digital tools.

• During the same period, Quantel developed Paintbox , a professional system used in television and animation.

• In 1988, Adobe introduced the first version of Photoshop , which would become the most iconic digital art tool.

The big problem, however, was that the mouse couldn't replace the feel of a brush or pencil . Artists had to adapt their mindset to a new medium that didn't offer them the same natural interaction with the drawing surface.

The Arrival of Graphic Tablets

One of the most defining steps in the development of digital painting was the emergence of graphics tablets , which allowed artists to draw with styluses instead of mice.

• Wacom , founded in 1983, introduced the first tablets with pen pressure functionality, i.e. the ability to detect the pressure of the stylus, giving artists more control over their strokes.

• By 1990, these tablets began to be adopted by illustrators, designers, and animators, making digital painting a more natural experience.

The Transition to the Digital Age

Digital painting did not immediately replace traditional art; instead, it went through a stage of questioning .

• Traditional artists often viewed digital art as "less authentic."

• The first digital creations had a "cold" character, as the tools could not fully reproduce the imperfections and texture of natural brushes.

• The art community was divided: was digital art a true art form or just a technical convenience?

However, a new generation of artists began to embrace digital painting as a medium with infinite possibilities . Soon, digital works were not limited to experimentation; they became a key tool in the animation, video game, concept art, and illustration industries.

The early steps of digital painting created a new field for art . In the next article, we will see how the 90s and the spread of the internet brought about the great revolution , allowing artists to share their work worldwide and develop new styles and techniques.