Best Apps for Beginner Digital Artists
Digital art has become increasingly popular, especially among beginners looking to explore their creativity. With a plethora of applications available, it can be challenging to identify which are the most suitable for novices. Below are some of the best apps for beginner digital artists that cater to various skill levels and artistic styles.
1. Procreate
Procreate has gained a massive following among digital artists for its intuitive interface and comprehensive toolset. Exclusively available on iOS devices, this app offers high-resolution canvases, a plethora of brushes, and customizable options that allow artists to create intricate designs with ease.
Key Features:
- Custom Brushes: Users can create brushes tailored to their specific artistic needs.
- Animation Assist: For those interested in animation, this feature makes it easy to create simple animated pieces.
- Intuitive Gestures: Simple gestures enhance user experience, allowing for quick zooming, rotating, and adjusting.
2. Adobe Fresco
Adobe Fresco is designed specifically for illustrators and painters with its array of live brushes that mimic traditional tools like watercolor and oil paints. Available on both iOS and Windows, it’s an excellent choice for beginners who want to transition from traditional to digital art mediums.
Key Features:
- Live Brushes: Experience realistic painting with brushes that react to pressure and tilt.
- Layering: Easily manage complex designs with multiple layers.
- Integration with Adobe Cloud: Seamlessly work between devices using Adobe Creative Cloud.
3. Krita
Krita is an open-source painting program that provides a rich array of features for digital artists. Popular among beginners and professionals alike, it is ideal for those who prefer working on desktop platforms.
Key Features:
- Advanced Brush Engines: Offers a wide selection of brush types and the ability to create custom brushes.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy access to menus makes it suitable for artists of all skill levels.
- Animation Features: Beginners can experiment with simple animations using frame-by-frame editing.
4. Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint stands out for its robust features tailored for comic and manga creators but remains user-friendly for those new to digital art. Available on multiple platforms, it caters to both drawing and painting.
Key Features:
- Vector Layers: Create scalable illustrations without losing quality.
- 3D Models: Utilize 3D models for pose reference, making character design easier.
- Customizable Interface: Adapt the workspace layout to suit personal preferences, allowing for a streamlined workflow.
5. Artweaver
Artweaver provides a natural painting experience with brushes that emulate traditional tools. It’s available for Windows and offers a free version with basic features, making it an attractive option for beginners.
Key Features:
- Variety of Brushes: Users can experiment with different brush styles, including pencils, oils, and watercolors.
- Layer Support: The ability to work with layers simplifies complex projects.
- Community Sharing: Join an active community to share artworks, tips, and techniques.
6. the iPad App: Tayasui Sketches
Tayasui Sketches is a delightful app for both drawing and painting with a simple, user-friendly interface that newbies will appreciate. Its versatility makes it suitable for quick sketches or detailed illustrations.
Key Features:
- Realistic Tools: Mimics traditional art tools beautifully, offering a brush that behaves like a real one.
- Importing and Exporting: Easily share your creations or import reference images for more complex projects.
- Layers and Blending: Supports layer-based editing to enhance artwork possibilities.
7. MediBang Paint
MediBang Paint is a free app that offers a broad range of features for illustrators and graphic designers. It’s designed for both desktop and mobile platforms, making it perfect for artists who want flexibility.
Key Features:
- Cloud Saving: Save your projects in the cloud, allowing access across devices.
- Comic Creation Tools: Equipped with features tailored for comic artists, including frame management and text tools.
- Wide Brush Selection: Access a diverse range of brushes to experiment with different styles.
8. SketchBook
Autodesk’s SketchBook provides an excellent platform for both quick sketches and detailed artworks. This app is free and offers a straightforward layout that’s perfect for beginners.
Key Features:
- Rich Brush Library: Customize brushes and choose from diverse presets.
- Prediction Stroke: Enhance line arcs and strokes automatically for smoother results.
- Ease of Use: Designed with a minimalistic interface that allows concentration on the artwork.
9. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a professional-grade graphic design tool that’s accessible to beginners with its affordable pricing. It combines vector and raster graphic design capabilities, making it versatile for different artistic needs.
Key Features:
- Dual Environment: Switch seamlessly between vector and raster workspaces.
- Responsive Performance: Handles complex projects without lagging.
- Artboards: Create multiple designs within a single document using artboards.
10. Paint Tool SAI
Paint Tool SAI, while a bit older, remains a favorites for its simple yet powerful tools. It’s a lightweight software that’s easy to download for Windows users.
Key Features:
- Tablet Pressure Sensitivity: Allows users to draw more naturally with varying brush sizes.
- Layer Styles: Supports multiple layers for easy adjustments and effects.
- Simple Interface: Its straightforward layout facilitates a quick learning curve for beginners.
11. Inkscape
For aspiring graphic designers planning to delve into vector art, Inkscape is an open-source option that’s excellent for beginners. It is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Toolset: Offers various editing tools to manipulate vector shapes.
- Customizable Interface: Tailor the workspace for a more personalized experience.
- Community Support: An active online community provides tutorials and resources for learning.
12. Canva
Canva may not be a traditional art application, yet it stands out for graphic design and basic digital art projects. Its accessibility makes it ideal for beginners who want to create social media graphics or simple illustrations.
Key Features:
- Templates: Provides professionally designed templates for quick art creation.
- Easy to Use: The drag-and-drop interface simplifies the design process.
- Collaborative Features: Share projects with others for collaborative efforts.
13. Infinite Painter
Available on Android, Infinite Painter offers a great balance of features for both traditional digital painting and illustration. Its clean interface is beginner-friendly while delivering powerful capabilities.
Key Features:
- Customizable Brushes: Create unique brushes tailored for your specific style.
- Exporting Options: Save artwork in various formats with high resolutions.
- Layering Options: Advanced layers enable complex compositions with ease.
14. Paper by WeTransfer
Paper offers a simple, yet effective drawing space for beginners. Designed primarily for iOS, it mimics the experience of sketching in a physical journal.
Key Features:
- Streamlined Interface: Easy to navigate, allowing beginners to focus on creating.
- Quick Sketching: Ideal for jotting down ideas on-the-go.
- Integration with WeTransfer: Effortlessly share your artwork and projects with others.
15. Corel Painter Essentials
Corel Painter Essentials is aimed at budding artists who want a more traditional painting experience in a digital format. It’s a simplified version of Corel Painter, making it accessible without being overly complex.
Key Features:
- Realistic Brushes: Mimics natural painting effects, perfect for beginners transitioning from traditional media.
- Guided Tutorials: Offers step-by-step guidance, assisting new users in navigating the features.
- Multi-Platform Support: Available on both Windows and Mac devices, ensuring versatility.
By exploring these various applications, beginner digital artists can find the perfect tool that aligns with their creative needs and personal preferences. Each app provides unique features and capabilities that make the process of creating digital art not only attainable but also enjoyable for novices.
