Digital art has been a medium that's making its way through the Internet. After all, it's how a lot of famous NFTs are made. One of its advantages is it's cheaper in the long run, as opposed to traditional art, since all you need is a PC, tablet, or smartphone and an app compatible with that device, and you're good to go for as long as you want. So, here are five apps you could try out if you want to get into digital art.
Photoshop (Windows/macOS/iPad for iOS)
Photoshop is probably one of the most famous apps out there, and not just for digital art. There are many features you can use to support your art style. Since you can customize brush tools, it allows you to create textures that fit with what you have in mind.
The app also has a pen pressure feature for artists who use a pen tablet, which allows you to adjust the thickness of the stroke depending on how hard you press. Photoshop is an especially good fit if you want to adjust the colors of your finished artwork since the app is software initially created for photo processing.
Yes, it can be hard to navigate through the app since it has a lot of features, but you can always ignore the other tools and just focus on the ones you currently need. You can purchase Photoshop with an annual subscription, or you can just opt for a one-time payment.
Annual Subscription: $199
One-Time Payment: $429 plus a 30-day free trial
Adobe Illustrator(Windows/macOS/iPad for iOS)
If you feel like Photoshop is a bit overwhelming and you don't need the photo enhancements anyway, then Adobe Illustrator is the next best thing. The app has a better user interface in terms of digital art since it was specifically made for illustrations.
This app is ideal for creating logos and infographic icons since it has features that make it easier for you to create and adjust curves and lines as opposed to Photoshop. It also has calligraphic brushes already built-in, and you can taper the brushes for a more realistic brushstroke.
Illustrator on iPad: $9.99 per month
Illustrator on Windows or macOS: $20.99 per month
Krita (Windows/MacOS)
One of the best parts about Krita is that it's free. It will be a good app to start with if you want to see what making digital art feels like. You can also import user-created brushes for more options for texture, as mentioned in Clip Studio.
It also has vector layers, so you can create figures or texts without sacrificing the image quality. Since it has a symmetry feature, you won't have to worry about unequal parallels. The only downside to this app is the brushstroke lag, which cannot be fixed no matter how high-end your device is. But for a beginner, it's a small price to pay to get the hang of creating art digitally.
Windows or macOS: Free
ibisPaint (iOS/Android/Windows/macOS)
If you're planning on making digital art using your tablet or smartphone, ibisPaint is a recommended app since the user interface is optimized for it. There are more than 2,000 screen tones and textures to choose from. It's also a bonus if you aim to create manga art or the sort since it has paneling tools ready to be used.
Although, if you're planning on creating a canvas with more than 600 dpi resolution, it's simply not possible in the app. You can choose to use the free version and watch ads to unlock brushes for a limited time, or you can purchase it.
ibisPaint with Ads: Free
ibisPaint Full Version: $9.99
Assembly (iOS/Android)
This will be a great choice if you have a more geometric art style, especially since it already has shape packs built into the app that is easy to use. The simple layout makes it easy for users to familiarize themselves with the tools quickly.
It offers vector graphics as well and has typography tools included within the app. Export options are SVG, PDF, PNG, and JPG. You can use the app for free, but if you want to use all the tools for a better art experience and convenience, you can purchase a subscription, according to 99Designs.
Assembly Limited Version: Free
Assembly Full Version: $29.99
