Contemporary artists often resort to the use of various techniques to facilitate the preparatory stage of work. The author of the article considers some stages of such use in world art. The author also touches on the use of technical means in the training of future artists. The author notes that artists of different eras and countries were driven not only by the desire to speed up and simplify the process of creating works of art. Technological progress has become an aid in the educational process, commercial activities, propaganda and dissemination of art. The combination of traditional methods of teaching painting and modern technologies opens up new opportunities for teachers and students. Qualitative training of future artists and designers is impossible without an in-depth study of the basics, and the discipline of «painting» is a fundamental discipline that is mandatory in the training of specialists in art. The author answers the question: «Is it ethical to use mechanisms and technical means to facilitate the work of a painter? Should such tools be used when teaching students? And when did professional artists start using them?» He claims that thorough discoveries in the field of optics also contributed to discoveries in the field of art, in particular painting. And the development of fine arts without progress in science would have gone the other way. The use of various modern gadgets can help students find a successful composition of the work, check during the painting process. Computer programs allow you to work with color, tonal proportions. An important aspect is that educators first find themselves in a situation where both teachers and students are forced to work online. And although painting is a purely practical discipline, thanks to modern technology, teachers can guide and control the learning process, which would not have been achieved in the quarantine provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, without modern technology. The study of techniques of modern masters, the use of various materials and the introduction of computer technology in the educational process form in students professional competencies, understanding of the practical application in professional activities of knowledge of the basics of painting. Key words: artist, art, painting, technical equipment, pinhole camera, camera, composition, skills.