Digital art trends 2026 reveal how creatives are responding to AI pressure

Making a living as an artist got harder in 2025, whether it was because of job losses in the creative industries or a reduced amount of work for freelancers due to the impact of generative AI.

Some artists are leaving their chosen industry entirely, but others are hanging in there and boosting their options by learning new tools and art styles. Artists who usually work in 2D are starting to learn 3D and looking at creative sectors like AR and VR. Some artists are even going back to traditional media as an antidote to high-tech overload.

In response to a changing landscape, artists are reshaping themselves by reaching out into new media, creative sectors and learning new skills for a new year. 2026 will be a time of expansion, as artists look for alternative ways to make an income from their work.