Application for drawing. Free drawing programs for computer and tablet

So, you bought a graphics tablet. In addition to the fact that you still have to get used to it and "fill your hand", you need to immediately decide on a graphic editor that will reveal all the possibilities of your new device to the maximum. And if you think that you can only draw in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, you are very mistaken.

In addition to the world-famous and undoubtedly cool Adobe products, there are many graphic editors that offer the same functionality, but for less money, and sometimes even for free. In addition, some programs boast unique interface with many interesting chips, they will definitely be appreciated by designers and illustrators.

We have compiled a list of programs where you can fully draw with a graphics tablet, imitating various artistic techniques, make sketches, create raster and vector images and practice lettering and calligraphy.

Corel Painter X3

Painter X3 simulates traditional brushes, textures, dry and wet effects to incredible accuracy. Thanks to this, there is an almost complete immersion in a real artist's studio, where there is no computer and monitor, only an easel and canvas.

Painter Lite

The lighter and cheaper version of Painter offers everything necessary tools for drawing, but at a lower price. Great option for those who are just starting to draw and are not ready for significant expenses.

Clip Paint Studio PRO

Although this program was developed specifically for drawing manga, Clip Paint Studio has gone quite far and can be used in industry-standard digital painting with the same success. The program has incredibly handy features, such as ready-made shapes that you can use as a nature for drawing poses.

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 7

SketchBook Pro is a professional drawing application optimized specifically for tablet devices. Drawing in it is easy and pleasant, which will undoubtedly be appreciated by novice users.

ArtRage 4

A program with incredible tools and the most attractive interface. Drawing in it is easy and pleasant. Focused on creating realistic images.

Xara Photo and Graphic Designer 9

Photo editing, drawing, unusual effects - not all the possibilities of Xara Photo. Users will appreciate the compatibility of file formats and the low price of the product.

Affinity Designer

The program supports working with layers, import / export of different file formats, a convenient navigator and all the tools for working with vector graphics that you can think of. Affinity Designer is a kind of "killer" Adobe Illustrator. The only drawback of this program may be that it is only for MAC. But the price is more than pleasant.

inkscape

Free and handy vector illustrator, which is essentially a symbiosis of CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator. The remarkable support for pen pressure sensitivity, a big shortage in the vector illustration world, makes Inkscape a powerful tool for those who are serious about calligraphy.

By the way, Inkscape has an excellent resource in seven languages, including Russian, which is a rarity even for commercial graphics programs. On the Inkscape website, you can not only download the program, but also read articles, study lessons, participate in discussions, and much more. There is also an opportunity to become one of the developers and testers of the product and bring useful features to it.

artweaver

A raster graphics program that looks like a symbiosis of Painter and Photoshop. Compared to GIMP, it is slower in processing, but with a much larger set of brushes. Broad Wacom tablet support.

GIMP

colorful and functional raster program for drawing, illustration. By appearance interface and features similar to Corel Painter. Broad Wacom tablet support.

MyPaint

A resource-friendly and easy-to-use open-source software for digital artists. Allows you to concentrate on creativity, not the program interface. Tablet support is well implemented.

SmoothDraw

And here is another noteworthy drawing program - ten thousand beginners and professional artists managed to download this wonderful development for free. You do not have to spend time studying the menu and tools - just open new file and showcase your talents with clearly visualized features.

Blending modes, layers, virtual canvas rotation, sub-pixel anti-aliasing are available to users. Except standard means painting app contains special tools like graffiti, water drops, stars, grass. Synchronization with tablets is also implemented.

Paint Tool SAI

Don't be intimidated by the clean SAI interface, as this is the de facto program standard for most Japanese anime artists. It also has a line correction function to create sharper contours.

Serif Draw Plus (starter edition)

Serif DrawPlus offers all the tools to work with raster and vector graphics. Here you can create interesting prints, make logos, edit photos or draw using a lot of custom effects, including 3D. Truly a godsend for novice illustrators and designers, moreover, completely free of charge!

All of the programs on the list will make great alternatives to Adobe products, even if you're not ready to admit it just yet. It's enough to give them a chance, and who knows, maybe in a couple of weeks you won't even remember about Photoshop! Moreover, for some products you don’t have to pay at all. Don't be afraid to try new things, push boundaries and improve!

We have considered the most common applications that act as full-fledged complexes for drawing, as well as processing various images.

Which drawing program on a graphics tablet or editor on a PC you choose depends on your specific goals.

Corel Painter will be highly appreciated by digital graphics professionals. This the best choice when you want to download a drawing tool to your computer to work with your tablet. The eminent developer offers a developed, but rather complex product. To learn how to use all the benefits of the package, you will have to spend a lot of time. And if you also want to learn how to work in vector, you will have to switch to a more functional tool from the same developer - CorelDRAW.

Autodesk SketchBook Pro is a quality drawing program for all categories of users. It allows you to both process graphics and create cool art, comics, sketches from scratch. Available interface in Russian will be a nice bonus, but in order to work with the utility at the highest level, it is advisable to think about purchasing a professional monitor with good color reproduction.

Krita is no less functional. Artists draw in it both posters and entire comics. The application is free, has an open source code and is suitable for all modern operating systems. However, it will be a little difficult for beginners to master it. If you are not afraid of difficulties and are ready to spend time - try it and you will get a really functional tool.

Adobe Photoshop allows you to apply a wide variety of effects and filters. Creating images will seem very comfortable and quite simple. You can enjoy an accessible Russian-language interface and a large number of training video tutorials and materials on the Internet.

Working with Tux Paint is aimed at high-quality training for inexperienced users. The interface of the utility will be convenient for any user, and the presence of sound and animation effects will attract the attention of a children's audience whose parents want to teach their child the art of drawing on a computer.

Paint.NET will bring a lot of positive impressions, the program engine is able to remember all user activity and return more than a dozen completed actions, excluding the errors present in the editing process and applying all kinds of effects. With the help of Paint, vector graphics are effectively edited.

Pixbuilder Studio is distinguished by high performance indicators, the rest of the utilities from the above selection demonstrate a lower speed of launching and opening images. The program contains rich professional-level functionality and is available for download absolutely free of charge.

Fans of various brushes will appreciate the Artweaver Free program, which has a lot of useful filters and effects. It is worth noting that the application allows you to create your own brushes, which will become difficult for competitors.

Paint Tool SAI is a serious utility designed for professional artists and designers to create stunning illustrations as well as digital paintings. The utility supports tablets, giving creative people all the necessary resources for artistic activities. Moreover, some studios use SAI as a cartoon drawing program. Its functions are too good.

Graffiti Studio is difficult to compare with full-fledged painters and even drawing games for children, since the purpose of this application is to entertain the user. You can fulfill your teenage dream and feel like a master of street graffiti. True, the range of tools is scarce - only a marker and spray cans, but a huge selection of colors and shades, line thicknesses will be a significant plus.

Also, the wonderful programs MyPaint, Medibang Paint, SmoothDraw, Affinity Designer, built into Windows, were not included in the review. graphics editor Paint and Inkscape raster graphics editor. Their detailed descriptions you can always find on our website.

Do you want to paint beautiful pictures, but don't want to spend money on materials? This is no longer a problem! Today, digital technologies have come to replace paints and canvases, which have made painting an incredibly convenient and exciting experience.

Mouse or graphics tablet?

This choice depends on your drawing skills. If you went to art school or are just a confident pencil and brush user, you'll be more comfortable working with a graphics tablet. If you still do not know how to draw, then you can easily start with a computer mouse.

As with any art form, drawing requires a certain amount of skill. The more confidently you use the tool, the more accurate the picture is. Someone creates second-rate drawings on a cool graphics tablet, and someone writes masterpieces using a regular computer mouse.

Choose a tool based on your abilities and skills, and special programs will help you turn your ideas into reality.

What program to draw in?

To paint a picture, it is not necessary to enroll in art courses and buy and buy expensive supplies. Just turn on the computer and run the appropriate software. In this article, we will look at best programs to create digital paintings.

To draw on a computer, you need to select a brush and move it around the virtual canvas using a mouse, keyboard, or special devices such as graphics tablets.

The tool can be a pen, pencil or an art brush with paints. With a long press, the thickness of the lines changes, mixing colors is allowed.

There are special panels for working with the palette. Various effects can be applied to finished objects.

The advantages of digital painting include items such as:

• Cancellation of unsuccessful actions;
• Unlimited color range;

Let's start the top 15 drawing apps on personal computer With .

You can use all their functionality completely free of charge for an unlimited amount of time.

Table: characteristics comparison

Tux paint

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The educational program Tux paint was created for the smallest users of a personal computer, but it can also appeal to adult novice artists. It has a relatively small set of tools and does not have a lot of palettes.

The highlight of this application is its simplicity, large buttons in the interface, the presence basic models, a large number of stamps, an integrated helper in the form of a funny penguin Tuxie.

All this greatly facilitates the process of creating works.

By the way, it is possible to make a slide show. The program was developed specifically for children from 3 to 12 years old and is even used in a number of preschools in Europe.

Attractive and colorful interface with funny sound effects offers easy-to-understand large buttons with tools and colors, and Tooks the penguin will show you how to draw.

Tux Paint will help your child develop creativity and teach him the basics of computer literacy.

Among the shortcomings of tux paint, we highlight the lengthy processing of applied effects.

paint.net

Paint.NET for Windows

Version: 4.2.10

Developer: dotPDN LLC

License: free

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Download 8 Mb

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At first glance, it may seem that this program is no different from standard application called Paint, bundled with the operating system.

This is part of the point of paint.net. The interface is familiar to all users of the Windows operating system.

But the functionality of the paint.net application stands out significantly from the background of the integrated editor.

In it, you can create three-dimensional models, draw transparent objects, moving objects and other complex structures. Note a very handy selection tool.

In paint.net it is invoked by the magic wand.

The program contains a number of integrated tools, and also supports plugins, among which you can find a large number of useful tools.

Inscape

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Inscape is a popular vector . It is often used for drawing graphic systems, as well as for creating business cards, booklets and other promotional items.

Using this application, it is very convenient to draw geometric shapes and objects, which are based on several small particles of the correct shape.

A special block is available for working with text and footnotes.

This program is primarily based on its own rendering engine, which means that with the proper performance of a personal computer, the process of applying new strokes will be carried out at lightning speed.

SmoothDraw

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A program called SmoothDraw is more versatile than the previous editor. Here exist Various types pencils, as well as comfortable pen, sprayers, markers.

With this whole set, you will add personality to your painting.

This program contains a convenient layering algorithm, including an integrated collection of elios effects. Pixel technology allows you to create high quality drawings.

In this case, the principle of choosing the type of brush is very conveniently implemented, that is, depending on pressing a number on the keyboard, the corresponding drawing tool is selected.

It should be noted that the application is compatible with . The disadvantage of this utility is a poor localized interface.

artweaver

Artweaver for Windows

Version: 7.0.2

Developer: Artweaver

License: free

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Download 11.9 Mb

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A program called Artweaver is a good bitmap editor with a large set of customizable brushes.

The app stands out for having impasto, which is a unique painting tool that mimics relief paint. A similar feature allows you to create oil masks on canvas.

A program called My Paint is an art editor that includes high-quality visualization of each brush. Large icons help when choosing a tool.

The user clearly sees what each brush is capable of. In addition, all brushes are divided into three main blocks:

• Classic;
• Experimental;
• Favorite.

The last section is initially empty. If desired, it can be filled manually by simple drag and drop.

One more feature may paint is the presence of a notebook that performs the function of a paper tool.

If you're not sure if you should try using this program, then first take a look at the gallery of works by users from around the world. It contains interesting work.

livebrush

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An application called Livebrush is a beautiful graphic editor that is loved by many users from different parts of the globe.

The program has a very convenient function of creating brushes.

The application allows you to generate tools based on your own pattern. Not for nothing, after all, the name of the application is translated as a live brush.

Among the features of the program, we note such functions as:

• decorating the line along which the brush passes;
• It is also worth highlighting the presence of fractal brushes.

Livebrush is based on the EtoubiAir platform. To run the program, you must initially install this environment, although this installation method cannot be called convenient.

Krita

Crita for Windows

Version: 4.2.8

Developer: The Krita Team

License: free

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Download 100 Mb

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The next program, called "Krita" is considered one of the best in the industry. This application selects a large number of artists from different parts of the globe.

Key features:

• Unlimited canvas size;
• Imitation of canvas materials;
• Emulation of real drawing tools;
• A huge number of artistic effects.

This whole set is successfully enclosed in a concise Russified interface.

Add to that high level detail, a good implementation of the layer overlay function, a lot of post-processing tools and a large number of other useful features.

Of course, the Krita app supports most modern graphics tablets.

The Gimp

The GIMP for Windows

Version: 2.10.14.3

Developer: gimp.team

License: free

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Download 217 Mb

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The developers produced an application called Gimp initially as a competitor to the well-known photo editor.

With time this application has acquired enough features to be considered a full-fledged drawing software.

• Editable hard and soft brushes;
• layer-by-layer processing; Smoothing functions;
• Built-in effects;
• A large number of tools that allow you to change the size and other characteristics of an element;
• And so on.

Thus, we have a fairly good editor for creating high-quality works.

There is one significant disadvantage that you should pay attention to.

Since the program has a very large number of options, you will need a fairly powerful personal one to use it.

paint tool Sai

Paint Tool SAI 2 Windows

Version: 2.0 beta Technical Preview

Developer: SYSTEMAX Software Development

License: free

Download 12.8 Mb

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A program called Paint Tool Sai was created by Japanese developers.

This application has recently gained popularity among users living in the Russian Federation. The program has two drawing modes:

• The first of which is bitmap;
• The second is a vector.

It is worth noting that each of the brushes belongs to different regime. The application boasts a high-tech rendering engine, full support for graphics tablets, and its own pen smoothing algorithm.

As in most other solutions, the application interface resembles a menu from a program

However, the developers of this application went even further. Thus, the hotkeys are completely the same as Adobe Photoshop.

This editor can be installed on any operating system Windows system, including Windows ninety-eight.

Unfortunately, the application is not adapted for Russian Federation and the CIS as a whole, the menu is only available in English.

It must be understood that the program is paid, but there is time to use it in the trial period of one calendar month.

The application is available for purchase forever for seventy-seven United States dollars.

Affinity Designer

Another paid product called Affinity Designer is notable for having three modes of operation:

• Drawing;
• Pixel editing;
• Export.

Each of the modes has an interesting name - Persona. It is logical that Affinity Designer can work with raster and vector graphics.

The program is based on a fairly fast engine. Its interface also has a Photoshop-like design, though it would be more accurate to compare the app to Adobe Illustrator than to Photoshop.

The set of brushes is standard. It is possible to create your own drawing tools.

An interesting fact is that initially the developments produced this application for the operating system called . And only very recently the program appeared on operating system Windows.

The program is paid, but there is a trial period, which is ten calendar days. The cost of the license is fifty United States dollars.

It should be noted that the developers of Affinity Designer did not take care of the Russification of the menu and the availability of such an important option as plugin support.

Pix Builder Studio

PixBuilder Studio - good enough free editor raster graphics, which also allows you to create web-graphics.

Its functionality, in addition to the basic components, includes layer management, level and curve adjustment, multi-stage undo operations, as well as high-quality sharpening and blurring effects.

With all this, the user is given the opportunity to customize the interface - to fix frequently used or important options on the main toolbar.

Corel Painter

Version: 2020

Developer: Corel Corporation

License: trialware

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Download 614.4 Kb

Today, paintings or art created using a computer are of no less interest than ordinary canvases painted on paper. Controlling the mouse cursor is no easier than guiding a canvas with a pencil or brush. Some artists who are professional electronic painters use special devices like graphics tablets to eliminate the mouse, but in this case special software is needed.

Consider the best programs for creating art on a personal computer for both amateur and professional environments. Let's designate the key features of the software, ease of use and availability of products for different users. We will not mention the venerable "Photoshop", because literally all PC artists already know about its existence and widespread dominance in our computers, but we will analyze the less well-known and sensible drawing utilities.

Paint.NET

This basic program to create art, which is included in almost every copy of the Windows platform. She has at her disposal all the tools necessary for initial drawing: a brush, a pencil, an eraser and a fill. Moreover, each instrument has a dozen varieties: thickness, saturation, handicap, etc.

For connoisseurs of virtual art in the style of abstractionism and cubism, the art creation program provides shapes of a triangle, a rectangle, an expanding ellipse, polyhedrons and a cloud of conversations for comics. With support for graphic formats, there are also no problems. On the official Microsoft resource and on amateur sites, you can find some additional plug-ins and add-ons that greatly expand the capabilities of the program for creating art, turning it into a real monster of art.

You can recommend the utility to any novice artist, as they say, to test the pen. You can’t count on creating some serious canvases with the help of this program, but it’s quite possible to fill your hand.

The GIMP

It's pretty powerful program for creating pixel art, and in terms of its functionality, it is as close as possible to the legendary Photoshop. The capabilities of the utility allow you not only to draw a picture from scratch, but also to apply many effects to ready-made images. In addition, the functionality of the program easily copes with the initial layout of sites or some other design layouts.

The program for GIMP supports multi-layered work with images, detailed setting tools, the most accurate color calibration, and so on. The utility also supports professional graphics tablets, so it can be recommended to both experienced artists and beginners.

inkscape

Another well-designed program for creating pop art and complex drawing. The utility allows you to perform any operations with contours, edit the gradient, change the style and type of nodes. In general, the software provides almost everything to draw professional masterpieces of art.

In addition, in the settings you can find a large number of preset shapes that you can change as you like. The program supports convenient "hot keys" and export not only to all popular graphic formats, but also to specific ones, such as XML. Professional draftsmen have a place to turn around in the fields of Inkscape, but it will be difficult for amateurs to figure out all the nuances and specifics of the utility, so they'd better choose something simpler or study the manual thoroughly.

SmoothDraw

This great program to create art from photos. The utility has been adopted by tens of thousands of users, including both professional artists and beginner amateurs. Here, as in previous programs, there is no need to thoroughly study the menu and the available tools - just open a new file and give free rein to your imagination with the help of an intuitive and competently visualized functionality.

At your disposal - layering of objects, rotation of the canvas in all axes, blending modes and sub-pixel anti-aliasing levels. In addition to the standard set of tools for painting on finished photos or from scratch, the utility includes rare ready-made brushes like graffiti, stars, grass or water drops. Also, the program fully supports graphics tablets, which is a clear plus for such software.

PixBuilder Studio

Another program for editing and creating pixel art, that is, raster graphics. The capabilities of the software also allow you to calmly work out the design of websites, so the utility is enviably popular with webmasters, competing with the eminent Photoshop.

In addition to the already familiar basic set of tools, there is work with layers, multi-stage undo operations, adjustment of curve lines and levels, as well as adjustment of the popular Bloom (blur) and sharpening effects. Also, the user has the opportunity to customize the interface at his own discretion: fix tools, display important options as separate elements, etc. Working with the program is quite comfortable for both professionals and amateur beginners.

Manga Studio

This special program to create anime art. The user has access to a chic set of tools for drawing manga and comics. Those who have thoroughly studied the manual and are well versed with the menu branches as well as with hot keys, consider the utility to be the most convenient for sculpting anime.

All the tools, and customizable ones, are always at your fingertips: screenton, coloring, black contour, brightener, etc. If you are unfamiliar with software of this kind, but you really want to draw anime, then an extended version of the program step by step instructions to choose from - illustrations or video, where in the most detailed way all the nuances of this event are explained - from the basics to the creation of professional manga canvases.

livebrush

This utility can be called a vivid example of how a high-quality drawing game for children should look like. Despite its specificity, the program enjoys enviable popularity among established artists.

One of distinctive features of this software are vector patterns, where the user can draw a picture of given shapes and sizes. Here you can easily decorate Slavic or Oriental ornaments, some kind of symmetrical nets or Gothic patterns. The already huge selection of brushes can be expanded with your own settings or you can download an even larger assortment from both the developer's official resource and other amateur resources.

The software proved to be excellent in working with graphic tablets and fully supports all stylus protocols. Moreover, the program monitors not only the pressure on the pen, but also its inclination, which for many artists is a critical moment when choosing utilities of this kind.

PaintTool SAI

This utility, along with Manga Studio, has become popular with fans of Japanese comics. In addition, many users called it a program for creating art on Minecraft because of the specific and convenient tools for this business. The utility is also perfect for those who like to draw landscapes and portraits in the style of hyperrealism or pop art.

A wide range of tools is available to the user: ballpoint pens, ink, dozens of brushes, pencils of different softness, pastels, watercolors, etc. Moreover, each individual tool can be customized to fit your needs. It is also possible to work with several canvases in parallel and support for multi-layered objects. This software is used by both professional artists and novice amateurs, and as mentioned above, this is an almost ideal program for creating art for Minecraft.

Affinity Designer

This is a good software for creating art with a classic design and a familiar set of tools. Here you will find a large assortment of brushes, gradients and other auxiliary modes. Among other masses of similar utilities, this program stands out in that it does an excellent job with vector objects and can easily process bitmaps. Many use this software not so much for drawing from scratch, but for photo retouching and further processing into an art work.

One of the obvious disadvantages of the program is the lack of support for third-party plugins. All that is available to the user is a small list of add-ons on the developer's official resource. The latter, by the way, promised to correct this defect in the very near future. But even without additional plugins, the utility is capable of a lot and will delight you with intuitive functionality with good artistic capabilities.

Summarizing

Drawing is a specific thing. Someone likes to sculpt landscapes, someone prefers to draw faces, and don't feed someone with bread - let them turn all reality into Japanese manga. Despite the similarity of all the above products and functionality, each utility has some of its own distinctive features.

Before you start creating another masterpiece that your friends will admire, be sure to consider the focus and set of tools of a particular art program. It is better to spend a couple of hours studying the manual of the software you like than to port your work to another utility with data loss due to lack of some kind of brush.