This app would be best if you're brand-new to digital illustration - it feels similar to having physical tools and paper in front of you. It's free to download, but most of its tools are unlocked through the Premium Pro features, which cost $10. The image imports with a transparent background so you can immediately get to work in the app.Īrt Set 4 is one of the more basic, realistic drawing apps. Your camera doubles as a scanner so you can import your art. You might've done cool sketching in a notebook, and with Autodesk, you don't have to redraw the sketch in the app. One of my favorite parts of Sketchbook is the focus on making the transition from paper to screen easy. I also liked that, even when extensively zoomed in, the app didn't lose its 'drawing' feel by letting you see the pixels in your stroke. Even with a typical learning curve of a new drawing app, the toolbar is pretty easy to figure out. When you download the sketch app, it'll give you a quick tutorial of where all the basic tools are.Īutodesk has an extensive, well-organized brush library, and with its customizable brushes, it's easy to adjust settings like brush size, opacity and pressure. It's a little less intimidating than Procreate when you're starting off your digital art journey. You can use the free version for seven days and then you'll be asked to make an Autodesk ID, which is also free.

The Autodesk Sketchbook app is free, but is surprisingly packed with art tools that aren't blocked by paywalls. For quick reference in the app, check out the official Procreate Handbook. There's a lot going on in this app, so I wouldn't download it if you're just looking for a place to doodle.

No matter what level of artist you are, Procreate's features like Quickshape, blend mode, layering, alpha locks and clipping masks can add a new level of professionalism to your art. Procreate lets you customize gesture controls so the app is ultimately personalized to you. I've been using Procreate for a couple years and there are still features I'm finding out about that improve my artwork (check out all of the best Procreate tips I've found so far). The digital illustration app is accessible whether you're a design professional, a seasoned digital artist or a beginner to the world of digital illustration.

The Procreate iPad drawing app - a CNET Editors' Choice pick for 2022 - costs $13 to download, but its suite of art tools and creative features make it well worth the money.

Sketchbook app art