The 10 best drawing software, painting and free graphics

The Investment May Seem Expensive at First, But Once You Have Purchased These Elements, Unlike Traditional Drawing, You Won’t Wear and Tear Your Pencils. Your Equipment Will Last for Years As Long As These Are Well-Made Tools. In the Long Run, You will Quickly Realize The Savings Compared to Traditional Drawing.

Best drawing software and applications – 2023

We present to you 13 free and free drawing software and compare them to help you choose the one that suits your needs.

Points to consider to choose software or drawing application

Here is a comparative study of the possibilities offered on the market, presenting a few points to take into account before choosing your drawing tool.

What is your environment ?

What do you want to draw ?

■ What is your environment ?

First, the choice of software or application changes depending on the environment in which you want to draw .
Here we offer a comparison of the choices available on the market according to different environments.

The same software/application, is not necessarily compatible with all operating systems. Its functions can also vary. It is therefore important to make sure that the software you want to use is well compatible with the version of your operating system.

Computer (Windows/MacOS)

Our drawing software recommendation for computers. Some also allow the production of comics and manga.

• Photoshop CC (Windows/MacOS)
• Paint studio clip (Windows/MacOS)
• Paint Tool Sai (Windows)
• Painstorm studio (Windows/MacOS)
• Medibang Paint Pro (Windows/MacOS)
• Corel Painter 2021 (Windows/MacOS)
• Krita (Windows/MacOS)
• GIMP 2 (Windows/MacOS)
• Affinity Designer (Windows/MacOS/iPad)
• Artwork6 (Windows/MacOS)

Find here a drawing recommendation for iPad and Android tablets. Using an iPad supporting the Apple Pencil or the Bamboo Sketch stylus will allow you to draw works by taking advantage of the stylus pressure. Some applications also allow the production of comics and manga.

• ibispaint (iPad)
• Paint studio clip (iPad/Android)
• Photoshop CC (iPad)
• Procreate (iPad)
• Medibang Paint (iPad/Android)
• Painstorm Studio (iPad)
• Adobe Fresco (iPad/Windows)

Here are our drawing applications recommendations for iPhone and Android smartphones.

• ibispaint (iPhone)
• Paint studio clip (iPhone/Android)
• Medibang Paint (iPhone/Android)

■ What do you want to draw ?

First, it is important to choose the software you will use according to what you want to draw. Everyone has its own functions and can be simpler or difficult to use depending on what you create.

Then you must take into account certain particular functions such as those related to printing or web publication. These details are very important for the design of comics and manga.

To draw in good and due form
Professionals use certain tools to carry out their work. For example, it is important to ensure that high quality data can be produced if you do work intended for printing.

Many universities and specialized schools adopt and introduce the following software in their courses. Choosing the right tools from the start will help you do not change it during your journey. If you plan to draw comics, manga or webtoons, we suggest you choose software that offers functions specific to this type of creation such as clip studio paint presented below.
The following tools allow large -scale creation.

• Photoshop CC (Windows/MacOS/iPad)
• Paint studio clip (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)
• Paint Tool Sai (Windows)
• Procreate (iPad)
• Corel Painter 2022 (Windows/MacOS)
• Adobe Fresco (iPad/Windows)

To draw as a hobby
In order to familiarize yourself with digital, you can use software that allows you to scribble or even publish on the web and social networks. Many free or reasonable graphics tools allow you to draw simple illustrations.

You only draw sketches or comics on your free time ? In this case, it may be wise to choose software that has connection functions with more complete drawing software.

• ibispaint (iPad/iPhone/Android)
• Paint studio clip (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)
• Painstorm studio (Windows/MacOS/IPAD)
• GIMP 2 (Windows/MacOS)
• Krita (Windows/MacOS)
• Medibang Paint Pro (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)

Presentation of different software and applications

We will now continue by presenting the particularities of each software/application.
Information relating to the assistance service and free trial versions is also included.

If this is the first time that you have used a drawing tool, having many official support services and information on its use will not be superfluous. In addition, paid applications and painting software often offers free trial versions. R Echerche Z and find Z the software or application that meets your needs by testing them beforehand.

• Photoshop CC (Windows/MacOS/iPad)
• Clip Studio Paint (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)
• Paint Tool Sai (Windows)
• ibispaint (iPad/iPhone/Android)
• Procreate (iPad)
• Adobe Fresco (iPad/Windows)
• Medibang Paint Pro (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)
• Corel Painter 2022 (Windows/MacOS)
• Krita (Windows/MacOS)
• Painstorm studio (Windows/MacOS/iPad)
• GIMP 2 (Windows/MacOS)
• Affinity Designer (Windows/MacOS/iPad)
• Artwork6 (Windows/MacOS)

■ Photoshop CC (Windows/MacOS/IPAD)

This is international renown software used by design and image editing professionals. It is very multifunctional and can be used to draw illustrations. Personalization of parameters being essential, we recommend it to intermediate or higher level users who are used to drawing with this type of software.

Presentation :

International renowned professional ogiciel used in the field of images design and editing. Its use is also taught in many design schools.
First of all, it should be said that this is an extremely versatile tool allowing to export data intended for printing, online publication or in the form of video. However, this is not software specializing in drawing illustrations and comics. Recognition of the pressure of the stylus of your tablet is also deactivated by default and the personalization of pens and brushes requires time and efforts.

That being said, as there are many personalization elements, we recommend it to users who wish to define their own preferences.
Since it is at the origin of a photo processing software, its mastery of color settings is excellent. It also supports the CMJN color mode used for printing. Therefore, it is often used in tandem with Sai which conversely does not support the CMJN.

Being rather intended for intermediate levels, we therefore first suggest that newcomers in the digital world start by trying other software and returning to it when they are able to identify their properly needs and what they want to create.

Photoshop Elements, publishing with limited functions, is also available for 99.60 euros. You will have no problem with this version if you want to draw illustrations for web publication.

Developer: Adobe Systems Co., Ltd.

Assistance and use:
In addition to offering access to a form on the official website, requests for information by cat, etc., can be carried out according to the problem. There is a community where you can ask and answer questions on the official website, but questions related to illustration and comics are still not very numerous compared to those on photography and design.
Also, many instructions for instructions and online information on the general use of Photoshop are available. However, there are little documentation on the creation of illustrations and comics.

Trial version :
Downloadable from the page of free trial versions and downloads from the Official Adobe website. All functions* can be used for 7 days.
* To use all the functions of the evaluation version, you must get an Adobe identifier and register.

Purchase : In addition to the official website, you can buy it on different download sites.

Price :
Creative Cloud’s “photography” plan can be used from 11.99 euros per month.

• Photoshop CC is software with monthly payments that must be downloaded.
• Payments by credit card and Paypal are accepted on the official website.

■ Clip Studio Paint (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)

Powerful and versatile Logiciel allowing the creation of illustrations, comics (monochrome or colors) and entertainment. VSmanholeZ to draw immediately, because it contains many tools ! Clip Studio Paint is recommended For Those who want to create varied things in addition to drawing illustrations. A version for iPad/iPhone/Galaxy/Android/Chromebook is also available.

Presentation :

Clip Studio Paint is software (application) used by professional creators in the field of illustrations, comics and animations. Its use is also taught in many specialized schools. It is renowned for its natural and pleasant route.

Very versatile, it can export data intended for printing, online or video publication. It also allows the realization of certain simple designs by freely having images and text.

It is also useful for making webtoon thanks to its webtoon canvas settings and the possibility of exporting works by dividing them vertically.

You can alsoSave the content of your work in the form of a time-lapse and share it by video on social networks.

It may require a certain time of adaptation, because it contains many functions. On the other hand, certain tools such as 3D models with their customizable poses can assist the work of beginners.

It also offers a wide variety of tools for digital creation such as monochrome or colorful frames allowing you to approach different styles.

Download and add pens, brushes, frames, etc., From the official service, clip studio assets. ImportZ also paintbrushes In the format Photoshop (extension: .ABR).

Pens and brushes have a high degree of customization, allowing you to create tools perfectly suited to your style once you are used to using them.

There are two editions, pro and ex. The upper edition ex allows you to create comics of several pages, as well as professional level animations.

Clip Studio Paint is powerful software that allows you to create very varied graphic content such as illustrations, comics, webtoons and animations.
The Tablet and Smartphone Versions of Clip Studio Paint for iPad and Galaxy appliances have exactly the same features as the desktop version.

When you use the software on different devices, you can easily access your data and settings thanks to a dedicated cloud service. Find your favorite tools, whatever your environment.

Developer: Celsys, Inc.

Assistance and use:
The developer can be contacted from a form on the official website. In addition to frequently asked questions, the official website offers a multitude of detailed explanations on functions, offering articles and videos produced by professional creators.

In parallel, a “Questions and Answers” service called “clip studio ask” is also available and allows users to ask their questions and answer those of others. The exchange of information between users is also common on social networks.

Trial version :

Download it from the page of the free trial version on the official website.

Usable for free for 3 months; The Galaxy Store version is available for free up to 6 months.

Purchase :

Paint studio clip can be purchased and downloaded from the official website. Payments by Paypal, credit card, bank transfer, webMoney and check are accepted.
In addition to purchases from the official website, you can also buy the online box version and during events.
IPad and iPhone versions can be downloaded from the App Store.

Price :

Windows/MacOS

• Single purchase (download) Pro: 42.00 euros Ex: 186.00 euros
• Physical version (open price): includes a paper manual of more than 200 pages.

Solo monthly use plan for windows/macOS/iPad/iPhone/Galaxy/Android/Chromebook

This plan is available for a device operating on one of the following systems:

Windows / MacOS / iPad / iPhone / Galaxy / Android / Chromebook.

It is necessary to register via the application to take advantage of this plan.

• Clip Studio Paint Pro: 3.99 euros/month (23.49 euros per year)
• Clip Studio Paint Ex: 7.99 euros/month (63.99 euros per year)

Other special offers are also available. For more information, see the official website.

Smartphone plan (iPhone/Galaxy)

• Clip Studio Paint Pro 0.99 €/month (annual price 5.99 €)
• Clip Studio Paint Ex € 2.49/month (annual price 16.49 €)

Note: When you use stylus pressure detection or Dex Galaxy mode, please use Paint clip Studio with a plan other than the smartphone plan.

For more information, please consult the following article.

■ Corel Painter 2022 (Windows/MacOS)

Painter is useful multifunctional graphics software for artistic creation. DEssinaZ with ease thanks to its high level of personalization and its choice of brushes containing many models ! It is ideal for realistic painting drawing.

Presentation :

Appearing as one of the pioneers of the genre, this drawing software has been on sale for a long time already. Thanks to the extent of the brushes, you can draw and paint intuitively just as you would on paper or a canvas.

The price is high, but it includes many predefined brushes and offers a very high degree of personalization, so that it can be optimized for different art forms. Its realistic touch does not make it the most qualified software to draw comics or illustrations of this style.

Because start -up takes time and its use tends to become heavy, we recommend that you check the performance of your machine before installing it and using it on a powerful device.
Uncertainty win you when you have to choose your colors ? Painter offers an efficient tool that allows an easy choice of colors by offering complementary shades, arrangements in the form of pallets and alternative choices.
The annual subscription is available for Mac and Windows and incorporates an additional brush purchase system.

An economical version, Painter Essentials 8, is on sale, but its number of brushes is reduced. Nevertheless, its degree of freedom of personalization and its independent color selector are comparable to those of the full version of the product.
In addition, the Painter Mobile application for Android is also available; You can use it for free with its limited functions or buy it to unlock its full potential.

Developer: Corel Corporation

Assistance and use:
The assistance service can be reached by email from the official website . Explanations on the use of software and a gallery of works are available on the Official Tutorial website. In addition, a manual explaining the basics of Painter is also available online.

Purchase : The computer version (Windows/MacOS) is available via the official website.

Price :

• Annual subscription: 225.00 euros
• 279.00 euros (free 30 -day trial version available)

■ Krita (Windows/MacOS)

Krita is free “open source” free graphics software. This is a new digital illustration tool with all the basic functions and a selection of various brushes.

Presentation :

Free to access and free, one of its particular characteristics is its compatibility with Linux. Advantage of open source, many brushes as well as resources made by other users are available.

In addition to being able to create an unlimited number of layers, you can also use vector layers allowing you to transform figures and text without compromising the quality of the image. A tool of symmetry allowing the design of patterns and complex objects is also included.

Free and multifunctional software, it also offers animation functions allowing the creation of “image by image” animations, the insertion of audio files and the viewing of preview of its work.
However, the drawing speed is very slow and its use requires a certain time of adaptation. If you work in a good environment, it is best to install very efficient software such as clip studio paint, because the speed of execution of Krita will be slow regardless of the specifications of the device you use.
If you buy it from Steam or Microsoft, purchasing costs will be applied.

Beta versions for Chromeos and Android are also under development and can be downloaded from the official website.

Developer: Krita Foundation

Assistance and use:
It is possible to contact the developer on the official website. There are also FAQ pages and tutorials. The official website also allows you to browse the user gallery and download additional resources.

Purchase :
Get the computer version for free (Windows/MacOS/Linux) via the official website.
It is also possible to acquire it paidly on several platforms.

Price :

Free / 7.99 euros (Epic Games) / 12.50 euros (Steam) / 14.99 euros (Microsoft Store)

■ Paint Tool Sai (Windows)

The simple interface, as well as the easy use of the different brushes make Sai easy to use software for beginners. Due to its simplicity, many functions such as character input and drawing of figures are omitted. We therefore recommend it to those who want to try to draw their first color illustrations.

Presentation :

Although it is easy to use thanks to its simple interface, certain functions such as character input, drawing of figures, gradient painting, etc., are not present .
It is software is effective if you want to create color illustrations intended for online publication.
Some illustrators love it for the light writing of its brushes and the ease with which the drawing can be corrected.
On the other hand, as it offers few functions to adjust the colors and does not support the CMJN output, etc., It is necessary to use it in tandem with another software if you are a professional who wishes to use it for the work or creation of data intended for printing.

Sai is undoubtedly one of the main candidates if you are looking for graphic software to start your coloring about color illustrations learning ! However, a basic knowledge of Windows is required, because the assistance of Sai is lower than that of other paid software.
Version 2 of Paint Tool SAI is currently in development and promises in particular the addition of text entry functions, as well as rules. Although several years have passed, it would seem that its development is still continuing. A beta version is available on the official website and can be used for free by users who bought bread tool Sai.

Even if some people use it to draw comics, we do not recommend it for this type of work, because such a task can be long and arduous on this software.

Developer: Systemax Inc.

Assistance and use:
A FAQ page is accessible via the official website. There is no official community.
Simple help is integrated into software. Many makings-of illustrations and instructions for use are available on the web.

Trial version :
The trial version can be downloaded from the official website. (English and Japanese only)
Once the installation is completed, you can try it for free for 31 days.

Purchase : From the official website. (English and Japanese only) Credit card payments and Paypal are accepted.

Price : 5,500 yen (Paypal and Payment Axes transform your payment into yen automatically; the exchange rate varies constantly.))

■ ibispaint (iPad/iPhone/Android)

This is a free application for drawing illustrations and comics on smartphone, tablet, and now Windows, which has experienced incredible boom ! We recommend it to those who want to try digital images with a smartphone or tablet before getting to the computer.

Presentation :

This is a free application allowing the design of illustrations and comics. The interface is designed for smartphones and tablets. In addition to the 2500 textures and frames offered, Ibispaint also includes a framework function allowing the creation of comics.
In the free version, advertisements are displayed and the choice of brushes is limited. When you watch one of the advertising videos, you can use the same functions with a time limit as those of the paid version.

Following a final update, the A4 and B4 canvases can now be created with a resolution of 600 dpi and a “manga manuscript” function has been added to create canvases in accordance with manga standards more easily.
The purchase of the paid version deletes advertisements and restrictions imposed on brushes. Become a premium member with a monthly subscription system to benefit, in addition to the services of the paid version, of the filter functions reserved for members.

In addition, you can record a video of the process of creating your works and publish everything on the official ibispaint website or on Twitter.
This application is linked to Clip Studio Paint. If you upload your work on the Clip Studio Cloud, you can continue your drawing on your computer or iPad.

Developer: ibis group

Assistance and use:
A FAQ section, as well as drawing tutorials are available on the official website. The content is complete and in constant development. This makes it a perfect reference for beginners in digital drawing. The development team can be reached from a form on the official website.

In addition to the videos presented on the official YouTube channel, making-of-inf videos made by users are also available in the gallery of the official ibispaint website. Learn to draw while watching them !

Purchase :
ibispaint X (free version)
Test version to download from the links below. To become a premium member, you must follow the purchase procedure prescribed by the application after download. A paid module deleting advertisements can be purchased from the Android version of the application.

• The iOS version (iPad/iPhone) can be downloaded from the App Store.
• The Android version can be downloaded from Google Play.

ibispaint (paid version)
Poir il ou à This paid iOS version (iPad/iPhone) via the App Store.

Price :

• Free (display of advertisements, limited features)
• Paying (without advertisements): 9.99 euros
• Premium member: $ 2.99 USD/month (price variation according to the exchange rate)

■ Procreate (iPad)

This ipad painting application was crowned by Apple Design Award. Its wide canvas with touch controls makes it a comfortable and attractive drawing tool. The interface is simple and you can easily and quickly find all the functions you need.

Presentation :

When you start the application for the first time, a video of use and examples of works are displayed. The samples recorded as an example are high levels and have something to surprise you. They really prove the full potential of the application !
It is interesting to note that beginners manage to use it without problem thanks to its net interface, even if the application actually includes a good number of functions.

The application offers a variety of functionalities specific to digital art such as the personalization of brushes and the rules of perspective. In recent years, several new functions have been added, such as clipping, text and animation. However, as there is no test version, it is impossible to assess it and test it before purchasing.

Note that a French version of the application is available, but the official website is in English. Many sites produced by French users are also available to document you.
An application for iPhone called Procreate Pocket is also available, but it offers fewer functions than the iPad version.

Developer: Savage Interactive Pty Ltd

Assistance and use:
A question form and a community are available on the official website to assist you. These services are offered in English only. Many making-of users and uses of use are available in French on the web.

Trial version : No trial version available.

Purchase : Available on the App Store.

Price : 10.99 euros

■ Adobe Fresco (iPad/Windows)

Posted by Adobe in 2019, this drawing software just like Procreate, is specially designed to be used with a stylus and touch devices. One of its particular characteristics is its ability to mix the color in the same way as paint applied in a traditional way.

Presentation :

Very few digital painting software gives you the opportunity to get green by mixing yellow and blue. In addition, you can use rasters and vector brushes on the same canvas. Like Clip Studio Paint, the combination of vector operations and digital benefits allow the expression of watercolor and oil painting.

This software is oriented in particular on the drawing, which implies that you must use other software from the Adobe suite to make image adjustment, design, animation, etc. We recommend it to those who already use other Adobe products because it is possible to use Photoshop brushes and Adobe’s cloud service with this software.

Developer: Adobe Systems Co., Ltd.

Assistance and use:
Just like for Photoshop, in addition to offering access to a form on the official website, requests by cat can be made.

Official tutorials focus on the expression of classic paint such as watercolor or oil paint.

Purchase :

• In addition to the official website, you can buy it on Adobe Creative Cloud and the App Store (iPad version).
• The Windows version can be downloaded from the Official Adobe website.
• You can buy it solo, but also opt for the “Adobe Photoshop mono-apple formula” or the “Adobe Creative Cloud formula-all applications”.

Price : iPad: 10.99 euros/Year

■ Medibang Paint (Windows/MacOS/iPad/iPhone/Android)

Medibang Paint is free software that offers all the functions necessary to create comics. Take advantage of Its long in -broad functions if you register as a user and connect to the software. We the advise to those who wish to try various functions for free.

Presentation :

This is a simple and free drawing tool. Although it is less versatile than its paid equivalents, it has basic functions for drawing comics such as frames and frames. Other applications, “Jump Paint” and “Manga Name” were also created by this company. These applications are more designed for the creation of colored or monochrome comics, than for the drawing of illustrations.

Although it can be used on many platforms such as PC, iPad, iPhone, Android, etc., Please note that stylish, brushes, etc. settings., cannot be transferred between different types of operating systems (ex. : PC to iPad), except Windows and MacOS. We therefore invite you to check beforehand that the functions you are looking for are available for your environment.

More than 1,000 types of different frames and fonts, some of which in Japanese provided by Fontworks Inc. can be used via the cloud. Also save up to 3 GB on the cloud, to continue drawing in other environments. To use these features, you must register and connect as a user. Subscribe to the paid medibang premium service to access an additional cloud space and the use of limited functions.

Note that the adjustments of pens, brushes and others cannot be transferred between different operating systems, for example between a PC and an iPad; The settings, however, can be transferred between Windows and MacOS.

We suggest using clip studio paint that fills industry standards if you want to draw monochrome comics.

Developer: Medibang.

Assistance and use:
Contact the developer from a form on the official website or consult the detailed FAQ section. Many make-infers and user makers are available on the web, but are not necessarily applicable to all platforms.

Acquisition :

• You can download the computer version (Windows/MacOS) via the official website.
• The iPad version can be downloaded from the App Store.
• The iPhone version can be downloaded from the App Store.
• The Android version can be downloaded from Google Play.

Price : Free (display of advertisements)

■ Painstorm studio (Windows/MacOS/iPad)

PAINTORM Studio is efficient and economical paint software. It offers many brushes presets and a high level of personalization. This software is worth used by those who are familiar with digital drawing.

Presentation :

The value for money of this drawing software is very high. The iPad version contains approximately the same functions as that for computer. That said, files cannot be synchronized between different environments.
It contains many presets for the brushes allowing to draw objects of natural look and backgrounds in style synthesis image. The high potential for personalization of brushes also increases the pleasure of drawing when you use them. Painstorm studio is available in English.

Most predefined brushes recall traditional tools and allow the application of “thick paint” techniques. There is also a [mixer] palette that allows you to create colors when mixing paint on it.
Good customization of the brushes allows the execution of illustrations recalling the Japanese anime and manga. At first glance, its rendering resembles that of traditional techniques, but its use is in fact quite particular . For this reason, we recommend it to those who are familiar with the creation of synthetic images.

Developer: Sergei Komarov

Assistance and use:
A question form and a community are available on the official website to assist you. These services are offered in English only. Many make-of users and user makers are also available on the web.

Trial version :

• You can download the computer version (Windows/MacOS) via the official website. The test version can be launched up to 30 times. Also note that the time of each activation is limited.
• On an iPad, you can use its version with limited functions Painstorm studio Lite, available on the App Store.

Purchase :

• A CHETE Z The computer version (Windows/MacOS) via the official website. Payments by credit card and Paypal are accepted.
• The iPad version can be downloaded from the App Store.

Price :

• Computer (Wndows/MacOS): 17.15 euros
• iPad: 13.99 euros

■ GIMP 2 (Windows/MacOS)

Gimp is “open source” software that has existed for a very long time. He has many image processing functions. IT knowledge is necessary to use the extent of the functions of this software to their full potential. We recommend it to those who wish to try many functions for free.

Presentation :

Regarding image processing, he has the same functions as his paid competitors and it is powerful software to adjust the color of the illustrations.
As originally developed for image processing for the web, its potential for making data intended for printing and videos is low.

Users can freely add functions because it is open source software. With some computer knowledge, such as the extension of functions with plugins created by users, you can also customize the software according to your preferences and thus make your drawing experience more funny.
As this is image processing software, it is necessary to personalize it if you want to draw color illustrations. And if you like it, you can create a powerful medium to express your creativity.

Developer: The Gimp Team

Assistance and use:

Tutorials and a FAQ section are available in English on the official website. The user manual is accessible in French in the “Documentation” section.
There are a lot of documentation and online tips, as well as books published by users in several languages.

Acquisition :
Download via the official website. The page is only in English.

Price : Free

■ Affinity Designer (Windows/MacOS/IPAD)

Affinity Designer is a vector drawing application to create illustrations, icons and other graphic conceptions. Affinity Designer is a vector drawing application to create illustrations, icons and other graphic conceptions.

Presentation :

Affinity Designer is a vector drawing application that can export files to PDF, EPS, SVG and PSD formats, but not in AI formats. What distinguishes it from other applications is that you can not only modify vector paths, but also paint on a vector base with a pixelization brush to add texture. Thanks to powerful tools, you can easily create quirky paths and make conceptions that will have a magnificent rendering to printing.

Also have tools such as grids, guides, magnetization alignment and many others to allow you to control the design of your design. It is also equipped with pixelization brushes that can be used with stylus screens, a powerful typographic edition, a symbol recording feature, and more. An iPad version is also available, but it will not be able to offer the same high -level functions as the PC version.

Developer: Labs Serif

Trial version : No trial version is available.

Purchase: Single purchase of 54.99 USD on the official website.

Assistance and use:

Find here the basics of the use of the program on the official website as well as a FAQ section.

Community :

Find an official forum where users can answer questions from others and discuss.

■ Artwork 6 (Windows/MacOS)

Paint application dedicated to obtaining real medium textures.

Choose rich oils, delicate watercolors, and even more to get the feeling of various traditional mediums.

Presentation :

Artration 6 is a painting program that endeavors to reproduce the appearance of traditional paint, especially with mediums like thicker brushes. Use not only tools such as pencils and brushes, but also traditional tools that are not usually found in digital art programs, such as paint rolls and palette knives.

Another unusual feature is the stencil function that allows you to place a stencil leaf on your canvas and fill it over over.

There are grid rules and a prospect grid that constitute a guide to which you can refer to when you draw. However, you can only use one grid on your canvas, which does not allow you to draw very precisely.

Developer: Ambient design

Trial version :

Downloadable Artwork Demo for free.

Note: The test version does not allow you to save or export files.

Purchase: Single purchase of 54.99 USD on the official website.

Assistance and use:

Consult the basics of using the program on the official website as well as a FAQ section. (In English)

Community :

Users can ask questions about the official forum and cat. Comment and consult the works of other users on Art Gallery. (In English)

(Written by the Rocket Art team)

The 10 best drawing software, painting and free graphics

Drawing is a real hobby for some. With the evolution of technology, paper and pencil can be replaced by software making drawings even more professional and quality, like Photoshop, Corel Painter, Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool Sai, Artration, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Affinity Designer.

The drawing turns into a digital drawing, easily modifiable and equipped with many features. With a little imagination and knowing how to do computer software allow you to do a lot from anything.

There are many drawing software to download on the internet, some free, other pay; They all have their specificities. There are different kinds of software which consists in making pretty drawings and modifying images.

Those who wish to embark on the world of graphic creation, digital illustration or photo retouching have at their disposal a whole range of software allowing them to carry out their projects. The Adobe suite, for example, is undoubtedly an excellent choice for a professional activity. With Photoshop for photo editing or digital drawing, illustrator for vector graphics, or Lightroom for post-production, the Adobe pack is one of the paid tools most used by graphic designers, illustrators and photographers.

Nevertheless, not everyone can afford to take out a monthly subscription to one or more Adobe Creative Cloud programs, especially if you start, if you launch your designer career and want to make your hand, or simply if You need a free tool to carry out specific projects. The web provides a wide range of free graphics software, but you should know how to choose the right ones to avoid wasting your time or withdrawing it from learning and practice, essential if you want to seriously get there.

Today, you can find a large number of free tools on the canvas that allow you to have excellent result. Some are easier to use than others, there will surely be at least 1 that will meet your needs.

For those who want to find tools that allow them to obtain exceptional renderings, here is an article that brings together the best graphics software.

There is something for everyone and all uses ! And when you have followed a few tutorials to master them, soon, Gimp, Krita, Sketchbook and so many others will no longer have secrets for you .

In the lines that follow, you will find a list of the best free drawing software for Windows, Mac and Linux thanks to which you can create incredible illustrations with your computer.

Bitmap and vector: two families of images
Bitmap

The “bitmap” or “matrix” images, the most common, are those produced by your camera, or by “classic” drawing software, like Gimp. The proper image is made up of pixels, more or less numerous.

The main formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, EPS, TIFF, Pict, PCX, BMP, PSD, PCD for the most standard. These images are able to make details very subtle, but cannot be enlarged without loss of quality. Her impression will only be good at the resolution for which she was created.

“Bitmap” images are by far the most used. and readable under many software (Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painstshop Pro, etc.). Bitmap images are to be used for photos, scanned images, etc.

Vector
Vector images are actually files made up of graphic or primitive command list. The main formats: AI and SVG. You can perfectly open a SVG file with a text editor. And even use it to directly create a vector image !

Vector images are more “light” than bitmaps. They can be zoomed without any loss of quality. On the other hand, they solicit the computer more, which must recalculate them with each display. They are particularly well suited to cards, diagrams, diagrams. Much less to realistic renderings. Even if some specialists are capable of narcotic results.

Professionals (graphic designers, illustrators or designers) carry out the majority of their vector visuals in order to be able to modify them to wishes without altering them.

The best known vector drawing software: Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Corel Draw, Inkscape Etcecape Etc.

Comparison

The main difference between these two formats is that a vector image can be enlarged without losing its quality while a matrix image loses sharpness at the enlargement.

7 free software to easily draw Bitmap images

1. Gimp

Gimp is a powerful and free multi-platform photo editing software. It is recognized by the most enthusiastic as a good alternative to the excellent but expensive Photoshop. It can be used as a photo editing software, as a paint tool, or to convert image formats. Of course there are many plugins providing the simplest features to the most complex.

GIMP can be used by users of various levels such as a paint program, an advanced photo editing program, a lot of prize processing system, a formats converter, etc.

Moreover, it offers a diversity of similar features such as colored retouching, brushes, layers system or filters. It can also be used to readjust, cut and perfect a lifting hand drawing. Can create GIF or MPEG files, GIMP software also supports PSD files.

Despite an unattractive interface at first, Gimp is a marvel of power for free and free software. Difficult to find more efficient without paying the slightest penny. There are versions for most operating systems including GNU/Linux/Ubuntu, Apple Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows.

You can improve your productivity with GIMP thanks to its many options and thanks to the many plugins that will add new options and features.

Whether you are a graphic designer, a designer, a photographer or a scientist, Gimp offers you professional tools that perfectly fulfill their tasks.

2. Krita

Krita is software almost similar to other Bitmap image editors like Gimp or Adobe Photoshop. Influenced by Corel Painter software, he joined the engine of MyPaint, Libmypaint as well as various animation features.

Its particularity is that it is more oriented towards digital painting. So if you feel the soul of an artist, it is the publisher to use.

Krita is particularly appreciated to create storyboard, comics, illustrations, matte painting and special effects. It is increasingly used in video games and animation in the design and graphic search phase.

Krita offers many drawing tools, all entirely configurable. Once configured you can record them to reuse them the next time, practical.

The interface is quite simple to use and understanding and allows you to choose in the blink of an eye the drawing tool of your choice from a wide choice of brushes, brushes, pads, pencils, etc. You can also choose your colors very precisely.

For your complex creations, Krita offers you to use one of the 9 line assistants: ellipses, leak lines, but also mirror, kaleidoscope, etc.

Krita also offers you a series of textures and patterns, with the possibility, of course, to import yours. A patterned rehearsal tools are available.

Krita manages a very large number of file formats whether import or export: PSD (Photoshop), EXR, PBM, GIF, PGM, PNG, JPEG, PPM, TGA, BMP, TIFF, etc.

It is very efficient and its grip is immediate. Krita is designed to be able to draw using a graphic tablet like Wacom, XPPEN.

You can download, install and use Krita for free to your Windows, Mac or Linux computer.

3. Sketchbook Pro

Autodesk Sketchbook is a free drawing application that is worth using. The application includes a wide range of tools for artists and designers – drawing and line tools, brushes, textures, gradients and fusion modes. The application fully uses the layers, so that you can group and reorganize various elements with ease.

Benefiting from a simple and refined interface, Sketchbook can quickly prove to be a formidable companion to do graphic research without clutching with a multitude of unnecessary tools or bulky interface interfaces as can quickly be the case in Photoshop For example. which facilitates its use with beginners but who also satisfies the graphic designers used by its functional richness.

Unlike Photoshop, Sketchbook does not aim for image manipulation or photography. It is his concentration on the drawing, painting and rapid creation of illustrations. Suitable for the use of the stylus.

It incorporates many essential features as well as a multitude of pencils, brushes, airbrush and brushes to make the perfect route. A very supplied library of brushes allows you to choose the texture, the shape, the type of projection, etc.

You can customize the shape of the point, the opacity, the color and the density of the line with the possibility of creating interesting gradients with the COPIC colored library. There are even colorless brushes, or brushes intended to spread the texture, or to reproduce the layout of a hair. All combinations are possible. Standard selection tools are quickly accessible: lasso, rectangle, ellipse, hands -on, etc.

Among the other interesting features, there is a tool for creating layers to add text, rules and guides to make symmetries and perfect perspectives, tools for fixed lines or predictive and well -rounded curves.

Sketchbook software is totally designed to be used with a tablet or better, a screen table, it is available on the main Windows and Mac OS operating systems, but also in version for Android and iOS tablets.

4. Paint.net

Finding good free and simple to use drawing software is difficult. If you are looking for more efficient software than Microsoft Paint, but the complexity of Photoshop scares you, Paint.Net is made for you.

The paint.Net is therefore a photo and drawing retouching software for Windows, also free, constitutes a good compromise, by offering interesting features and remaining easy to use ..

Paint.Net is a fairly light small software, which opens quickly on a very classic interface. Paint ergonomics.Net is literally stunning. The interface is clear, pleasant and neat, with some nice little details, such as transparent pallets when they overlap the image.

Paint.Net does not play entirely in the same category as commercial heavy goods vehicles, but it will benefit from being known if you do not need too much advanced features. Note that the software does not open the PSD files or the XCF files created with GIMP.

No need to seek the power of the expensive leader there, on the other hand paint.Net offers interesting features such as good layers management, adding basic filters as well as various colorimetric adjustment tools.

In short, this is software that will suit the vast majority of users, there are only professionals who could be disappointed. Do not hesitate to download this software for free to make your own mind, you could be pleasantly surprised.

5. Mypaint

Mypaint software is a tool designed to allow users to make quality drawings on their computer. Even if software handling is simple, the rendering is realistic.

This software is developed by the Open Source Painting publisher. Available under Linux but also under Windows and MacOS. Its many qualities as well as the support of an active community should quickly make it one of the essential solutions of the genre.

Mypaint software mainly consists in giving the user the possibility of creating drawings in a simple but complete way on the computer itself. In addition, it has all the tools necessary to make drawings in particular a multitude of brushes (chalks, ink, pencils, blur . ) that we can also personalize according to your preferences (opacity, speed, color, saturation . )).

The user can make beautiful drawings with MyPaint software. It benefits from a large drawing surface on which it can carry out operations such as zooming/diszooming, cancel/redo one or more manipulations and enlarge/reduce the brushes.

Its clear interface divided into several modules and its many keyboard shortcuts offer a quick grip.

Rather oriented hand -raised drawing, this software is preferably used with a graphic tablet and finds its place more in the “artistic” drawing.
6. Medibang Paint Pro

Simple to handle and relatively complete, Medibang Paint is a very good tool to edit manga and comics. With its neat interface and in French, Medibang Paint is a handling model.

Medibang Paint is free software that allows you to design digital drawings and paintings. It is mainly dedicated to passionate and manga and comics designers but can also be used in other fields such as image edition.

Multiplateform, the software first offers to take advantage of features in the cloud to take advantage of your creations as much under Windows as under Mac OS X, iOS and Android. The creation of an account is then required.

Medibang Paint is distinguished by the amount of editing tools available. The user is thus invited to use a crowd of brushes ranging from the simple pen to brushes and more elaborate effects. The management of the layers combined with a large library of objects and materials will be a good source of inspiration for the creators of manga and comics.

In addition, this drawing software incorporates collaborative work features allowing a team to work on the same project. It will thus be possible to work a colorist, a screenwriter and a designer simultaneously. Medibang Paint also includes a large number of backgrounds and fonts.

7. Artweaver

Artweaver is free drawing software, more oriented towards art, painting. which is only compatible with Windows systems.

The software offers an arsenal of brushes of all kinds: acrylic or oil paint, felt, pencil, chalk, charcoal, fatty pencil, pads, sponges .

Artweaver to make realistic artistic effects. It has many tools and effects for this. We can cite for example chalk, charcoal, brushes, as well as the blurry, Sharpen, blur, mosaic emboss, etc. Each time we can correct the work via the cancel/restore function. The user can still find other effects by adding the plugin module (Standard Artweaver).

The Artweaver software has a multitude of parameters allowing to personalize the integrated tools by default. It is also possible to create new ones.

The software works with conventional file formats such as AWD (Artweaver), BMP, JPEG, GIF, PCX, TGA, TIFF, PNG, or PSD without layer support. Note that he still supports transparency and layers.

Apart from drawing, Art Weaver also offers basic photo retouching functions: some “classic” filters (blur, sharpness, waves, distortion, mosaic . ) and the main color adjustments.

In addition, Artweaver operates in various languages. Finally, detail of the greatest importance given the target audience: Art Weaver can be used with a graphic talet, which makes it a fairly interesting option.

3 free vector drawing software

8. Inkscape

Inkscape is free (therefore completely free) free vector drawing software to use your logos, posters, websites. It is the equivalent of an illustrator of Adobe which remains an unfortunately essential reference in communication agencies, when it is in my opinion much less practical.

Inkscape can also advantageously replace layout software like Indesign, Xpress and Publisher for small projects. It is available on Windows, Linux and Mac OS.

The main advantage of Inkscape is the speed to select and modify an element that makes it a powerful tool to create freely. Time saving can be multiplied by 2 or 3 compared to its competitors and the results are often more creative. The intuitive interface allows it to be used by all.

SVG is its recording format. Inkscape allows you to create vector drawings and export them to PNG. You can also import a PDF and save in PDF. We can import from Illustrator via SVG and copy paste in Illustrator of inkscape elements.

Inkscape supports big projects very well. You can therefore for example create dozens of variations and logos tests on the same document.

9. Drawplus

Serif drawplus is an application application for vector graphics drawing. This includes several tools to create your own illustrations. Drawplus available for free on Windows.

With Drawplus you can draw everything you go through your head. Create amazing logos, drawings and models, paintings and sketches for your personal leisure, your business or your association !

This free application allows you to start creating your graphics, with pencils, brushes, color pallets, animation tools, transparencies, texts and other design options. Among a recognizable interface, Drawplus allows you to export drawings optimized by messaging, web, printing or any other format you need.

An option of Délié gives you all the precision necessary to draw complex patterns and features. Deliés allow you to create the finest possible line for special printing cases, for example to produce an illustration for a cutting. Simply click on each point and handle the curves to create perfect illustrations.

Modify and transform photos, show creativity with color games and textures . With its interface easy to handle and its many models, quickly master the drawing tools and get a professional result !

Whether you are a beginner, amateur or professional designer, with Drawplus, you can develop your drawing skills in a short time !

10. Gravit designer

You work on graphics intended for marketing media, websites, icons, creating a user interface, presentations or social networks or simply for the pleasure of creating artistic works ?

Gravit Designer is design multiplate-formula design and vector drawing software, free, but owner. The creation of images is by the adjustment of curves, calculated by means of mathematical formulas (hence the name of vector layout). The work is therefore done on more or less complex geometric shapes (circles, triangles, curves, etc.) which can be moved and stretched without harming their final representation: a vector image can be zoomed endlessly without quality loss. Gravit Designer allows you to create logos, illustrations, diagrams, plans, etc.

For the moment it offers a little fewer features than its inkscape alternative, but its excellent ergonomics and its clear and refined design make it an easier solution to hand.

Gravit Designer is available directly in your browser, or in the form of an application Windows, Linux, MacOS, Chrome OS.

Summary

Whether for a project you are working on at the moment, or simply to have fun and pass the time, draw on your laptop or autonomous touch pad from any place can be very advantageous.

To create drawings and professional plans and remain competitive in your sector of activity, it has become inevitable to use drawing software.

I also advise you to use a graphic tablet. it can really help. If you don’t have the Wacom budget I recommend XP-Pen. Recently I have a graphics tablet XPPEN Artist Pro 16 she works very well.

Many software on the market is compatible with graphics tablets. The tablet allows you to draw the quintessence of photo and drawing, the most advanced photo retouching software.

Simply take your time and select one of the drawing software listed above which can help you achieve your specific objectives.

They are very similar to the interface level, some will be more efficient or complex than others.

It all depends on what you do, your desires and your resources.

Drawing we made up: How to Draw we made up?

Thanks to the Computer, it is now possible to draw without limits and without having to spend hundreds of dollars in drawing matterials consumed at a high pace. Painting Styles Involving Multiple Techniques and Tools Are Applicable in A Simple Pen Stroke Thanks to Digital Painting. This technique is increasingly used by amateurs and professionals, and it is now possible to explore many styles, from Pixel Art to Realistic Drawing. With Digital Painting, Be Creative and Explore A World that you would never have tried with standard Equipment.

Drawing we compute many possibilities

There are many different ways to draw we made up. While Staring Out with No Specific Hardware Other Than Your Laptop, Investing In Computer-AIDED Drawing Equipment Seems to Be A Must for Those Who Want To Improve Their Design Process and Draw More Accuractaly and Quickly Than With A Mouse.

The Simplicity of Pencil and Paper, The Power of A Graphic Tablet

With or without a tablet?

To draw we have computed, several options are available to the illustrator who wants to start digital painting. Illustrators Will Quickly Realize that a graphics tablet is essential to work efficiently and quickly, even more so if they want to make professionals or draw regularly. The Technique Without A Tablet is Still Possible for people who do not want to invest in a graphic palette. However, the process is cumbersome. Indeed, the graphic designer will have to make his sketch with a pencil beforehand, then scan it with a quality scanner or a phone with a good camra, in order to transfer it to his computer. Graphic software such as inkscape allow you to convert your drawing into vectorial picture and then rework the graphic creation Directly on the software. Thanks to Vectorization, All Options Offred by the Software are at your disposal, and you can thus retouch your drawing, modifying proportions, colors, brightness, contrasts, or Even add and delete elements. The big disad further is that, Depending on the Quality of Your Scan, Many parasites can significantly degrade your basic sketch. Also, working with the mouse can quickly Become Annoying, as the inaccuracy and the time lost compared to the use of thought, which are more ergonomic, make the use of the mouse not very intuitive.

This is Why Investing in A Drawing Tablet Composed of A Tablet and A Pen, is Quickly Becoming the Norm for Those Who Want to Lear to Draw On Computer. Movements Become Much More Intuitive, and, Thanks to the Numerous Shortcuts and the Ergonomics Thought to Work Quickly on Software, You Easily Get Closer to the Sensations of Drawing on Paper. Depending on the Drawing Tablet You Choose, You will Still Need Time To Adapt. Indeed, for touch tablets with out integrated screen, keeping the habit to not look at your hand trawing on your computer screen, can be disturbing for beginners in digital art. Digital Pens, Although Adilable in Many Different Models, remain very different from a pencil, pen or brush, and require a learning curve for optimal use.

SPECIALIZED SOFTWARE USING

Drawing Software that allows you to draw on computer will be your best Ally for Making Digital Drawings. There are your hand types: Those for Making Raster Images, Allowing You To Work With Pixels, and Generally Proving to Be the Most Accessible To Begin in the World of Digital Art, and Vectorial Software Giving You The possibility to make changes on the shapes and Résize Your Image, Without Loss of Quality when enlarging or distorting. If these types of software, proposed in particular by the adobe suite, with adobe Photoshop CC, which allows you to create a raster image, and the Adobe Illustrator CC Software for Vector Images, Each have their Advantages. Possibilitities are impressive. Whatever the Nature of the Software, Whether Paid or Free, Whether Windows, Mac Os Or Linux, You will Always Find A Similar Toolbar Allowing You To Switch from one to the Other Without Being Disoriented. Many Other Development Companies Or Drawing Pad Manufacturers have also released their own software, with their Own Range of Options. It’s up to you to try them out and see that one you are comfortable with. Familiarize yourself with the many effects, tools, brushes, pencils, thought or paintbrushes at your disposal to get an idea of ​​which one will follow you best.

Many Tips for Drawing On The Computer

Do not neglect accessories

Once you have purchased a drawing tablet and chosen the software, you can start drawing on the computer right away. However, Many Accessories Exists to optimize your ability to work efficiently. First of all, the Stylus is an essential Tool for using the graphics tablet properly. Many Models Exist on the Market, and you can Quickly get lost in the multitude of Existing References. The Most Important Thing is to invest in a versatile stylus, with that you feel comfortable with in terms of weight and ergonomics. Some are too heavy or not heavy enough and can give you an unnatural feeling when drawing. The existence of shortcut buttons or not, and their rental on the pen, are also criteria to consider in order to work efficiently and pleasantly. Finallly, Different Tip Sizes can give you a very different, but useful feel when it comes to switching brushes or digital pencils on your graphics software. Indeed, Drawing With A Stylus With A Large Tip While Using A Thin Pencil On Your Software can be Disturbing Because of the Gap Between It Creates on Screen. If Models with interchangeable tips Exist, it is Advisable to have Several Stylus on Hand Depending On The Illustration You Want To Do.

Another Accessory that can help you draw on computer is the monitor, or computer screen. You can draw on the screeen you already own, but if you want to work intensively in computer-aid design, investing in a monitor of 20 inches or more, to have the best possible image quality and detail, will be necessary. Similarly, Investing in a powerful computer may be a good option if you want to make digital design your business. This Will Allow You To have A Smoothly Running Software, No Matter How Many Layers You Use and How Large The File You Are Working On Is Is.

The Investment May Seem Expensive at First, But Once You Have Purchased These Elements, Unlike Traditional Drawing, You Won’t Wear and Tear Your Pencils. Your Equipment Will Last for Years As Long As These Are Well-Made Tools. In the Long Run, You will Quickly Realize The Savings Compared to Traditional Drawing.

Beginners, solutions exist.

If you are New To Digital Drawing, the Transition from Paper to Computer can be Daunting, as the multitude of options and the learning curve required to use new digital tools is significant. However, with the Evolution of Technology and the Democratization of Digital Drawing, Drawing On Computer has been Much More Accessible.

The First Option is to use Drawing Tablet, like the iskn repair, which allows you to draw on a sheet of Paper, While Digitizing Your Work Directly Into Drawing Software. For a Beginner, this Type of Tablet is a good compromise Between Traditional Drawing and Digital Drawing. Indeed, Thanks to it you can continue to draw with your standard pencils on a Sheet of Paper, As If You Were Drawing on Sketchbook, While Being Able to Perform the Colorization Or The Final Touches On Your Favorite Drawing SoftWare. Looking the Graphic Software You Will Use, A Beginner May Prefer a Free Software Like Gim or the Vectorial Drawing Software Inkscape. These software are versatile and offer a large number of options for anyone who wants to get started with digital drawing.

To master your digital painting software, as well as your material, it is more than recommended, for beginners, as well as for people who already have experience in digital painting, to learn it that Thanks to numerous tutorials available on the internet. These will allow you to master the specificities of all the most famous software. Layer and canvas management, use of brushes, effects, textures and programming of shortcuts. There is a tutorial for every question you may have. Each Tutorial Will Help You Improve You Ability to Create Quality Illustrations.

Drawing we made up: What Should designers Remember?

If Drawing On Computer May Seem Complicated At First, the Evolution of Technology and the Multiplication of Tutorials Have Removed Many Obstacles by Offering More Accessible Drawing Tools to Users. It is now possible for graphic designers to rediscover the sensations of hand drawing, simple by using a graphics tablet with a tracking work surface, and drawing software, open-source such as gimp, or paid software such as photoshop and illustrator, and thus create A Creative Work On Their Laptops Or Desktop Computers.