Digital art is an artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as an essential part of the creative or presentation process. Since the 1970s, various names have been used to describe the process including computer art and multimedia art, and digital art is itself placed under the larger umbrella term new media art.

Digital art has now become a recognizable art form and medium as technology has provided new ways for artists to bare their soul and explore their creativity. This new expression allows artists to use a multitude of techniques before arriving at their final piece which could include photography and photographic manipulation, scans and pure free flow using one of many professional drawing packages such as Adobe’s PhotoShop. The same principles of quality and skill still apply to these new creative forms as any other medium and should be treated accordingly. Like traditional art, digital art can take many weeks and months to create and perfect.

Digital art can be purely computer generated (such as fractals and algorithmic art) or taken from other sources, such as a scanned photograph or an image drawn using vector graphics software using a mouse or graphics tablet. Though technically the term may be applied to art done using other media or processes and merely scanned in, it is usually reserved for art that has been non trivially modified by a computing process (such as a computer program, microcontroller or any electronic system capable of interpreting an input to create an output); digitized text data and raw audio and video recordings are not usually considered digital art in themselves, but can be part of the larger project of computer art and information art.

Artworks are considered digital painting when created in similar fashion to non digital paintings, but using software on a computer platform and digitally outputting the resulting image as painted on canvas.

The techniques of digital art are used extensively by the mainstream media in advertisements, and by film makers to produce visual effects. Desktop publishing has had a huge impact on the publishing world, although that is more related to graphic design. Both digital and traditional artists use many sources of electronic information and programs to create their work. Given the parallels between visual and musical arts, it is possible that general acceptance of the value of digital art will progress in much the same way as the increased acceptance of electronically produced music over the last three decades.

Digital Art Wonderland is a popular ebook depicting digital adventures. The book takes the reader into an unforgettable visual journey with interesting art pieces by the author Angi Sullins. The book contains unique ideas of value to artists and art lovers in the form of illustrations and design concepts. Eight tutorials are illustrated in the book along with tricks and techniques, so that an intermediate Adobe Photoshop user is able to create fine digital art work.