Rendering in art refers to the process of making something look three-dimensional or as if it is "real" and has mass. It is the final stage of processing a digital image, animation, or 3D model, allowing you to visualize the model and create the final image. Rendering can refer to how we complete any kind of artwork, from pencil drawings to digital works. In digital art, rendering is the act of "finalizing" something through the help of computer simulation or references, bringing all the details together and creating the final "piece".
In 2D digital art creation, the word "rendering" is not as widespread as it is when creating art with 3D software, but there are certain steps that can be defined as such. In 3D art, rendering is the process that converts the scene of 3D objects and lights into a 2D image or collection of 2D images. The 2D image that is obtained from rendering is calculated based on the positions and parameters of all relevant objects in the scene. The program that performs these calculations is called a rendering engine, and there are different types of rendering engines available.
In summary, rendering in art is the process of making something look three-dimensional or as if it is "real" and has mass, and it can refer to the final stage of processing a digital image, animation, or 3D model.