Long before computers revolutionized the manner in which we relate to one another, artists were testing the waters of a new digital medium. These days it’s common to find artists creating amazing works without ever touching pencil to paper. Here at Monster Cutie, we profile ten such artists who have mastered this digital medium and continue push it in ways that are truly inspiring.

Craig Mullins

Craig Mullins has worked as a matte painter and concept artist for book covers, video games, and movies including Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, The Matrix Revolutions, and Halo. His textured brush strokes are so natural and free that they almost look like they’re done with oil paints. His masterful use of color and light is truly inspirational.

Website: Goodbrush

Linda Bergkvist

Her gorgeous fantasy paintings grace the pages of Ballistic Publishing’s “Exposé” and “Exotique” series, is a co-author on Ballistic’s “d’artiste: Digital Painting,” and the only artist so far to be published as part of the “Ballistic’s Masters” poster book series. You can find her poking around CGTalk where she participated in a “Meet the Artist” session where she answered questions from forum members.

Website: Furiae

Jo Chen

Working as a professional comic creator since the age of fourteen, you’ve seen Jo Chen’s painted work on the covers of Runaways, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Street Fighter and the Fable video game series. Her work inspired me to give digital painting a more serious look.

Website: Jo’s Playground

Arnold Tsang

As one of the UDON noodles, Arnie has provided work for countless comics and video games. One of the artists to popularize the painterly look in Western comics, Arnie’s style has continued to evolve. Here’s an old Painter tutorial of his.

Website: Deviant Art

Andrew Hou

One of the most prolific UDON noodles, nJoo’s illustrations and concept work can be found in everything from comics, role playing games, and video games. He has a number of tutorials demonstrating his workflow.

Website: Andrew Hou

Andrew Jones

Calling himself a “Shape Sifter” rather than a digital painter, Android Jones takes his digital work to the people. Pairing up with DJs, Jones creates work in front of a live audience. He also founded ConceptArt.org.

Website: Android Jones

Katsuya Terada

Known in the west mostly for his work as the character designer for Blood the Last Vampire, Katsuya Terada has also designed characters for film and video games and has contributed covers to Marvel’s Wolverine: Soultaker. Much of his work is collected in numerous illustrated collections. Dark Horse Comics published an English language edition of Terada’s The Monkey King, Vol 1. If you can track it down, his book Painterbon! includes a number of excellent Painter tutorials.

Website: terra’s book

Bobby Chiu

Bobby Chiu’s whimsical illustrations are so wonderfully playful. Chiu teaches an illustration course through Schoolism and hosts weekly subway sketch sessions at Toronto’s Union Station. He also has a sort of video blog where he records himself painting while giving advice for illustrators.

Website: Imaginism Studios

Stjepan Šejić

Stjepan Šejić’s wonderfully detailed painted work landed him a gig as the current Witchblade artist. He paints everything digitally from the covers to the interior sequential pages. It’s amazing to see this level of work in a monthly title which is a true testament to Šejić’s skills and work ethic. You can find some of his old tutorial’s over at CGTalk.

Website: DeviantArt

Joshua Middleton

A former penciler for CrossGen, Com.x, Marvel, and currently exclusive to DC, Middleton’s digitally painted work appears on the covers of comics and novels. His linework is so elegant and delicate and just springs to life with his digital paints.

Website: Joshua Middleton Online

Those are our favorite ten. Who inspires you with their digital works?