Best Free Drawing Apps: The Ultimate Test

Best Free Drawing Apps: The Ultimate Test

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Hya Suis Sketches App
  3. Pros of Hya Suis Sketches App
  4. Cons of Hya Suis Sketches App
  5. Autodesk SketchBook App
  6. Pros of Autodesk SketchBook App
  7. Cons of Autodesk SketchBook App
  8. Adobe Sketch App
  9. Pros of Adobe Sketch App
  10. Cons of Adobe Sketch App
  11. Ibis Paint App
  12. Pros of Ibis Paint App
  13. Cons of Ibis Paint App
  14. Drawing Pad App
  15. Pros of Drawing Pad App
  16. Cons of Drawing Pad App
  17. Final Verdict
  18. Conclusion

The Best Free Mobile Art Apps: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction:

In today's digital world, artists and art enthusiasts have a wide range of mobile art apps to choose from. These apps offer a convenient and portable way to Create artwork on-the-go. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the best free mobile art app. That's why we've tested and reviewed five different apps to determine which one stands out as the top choice. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of each app and provide our final verdict on the best free mobile art app.

1. Hya Suis Sketches App

The first app we tested is Hya Suis Sketches, a relatively unknown app that caught our Attention with its unique interface. Unlike other apps that hide brushes in folders, Hya Suis Sketches displays all the tools in a monochrome image on the side, resembling a tool kit. This intuitive design immediately drew us in.

Pros of Hya Suis Sketches App:

  • The app feels natural and similar to drawing in Procreate, offering a high-quality drawing experience.
  • It adopts shortcuts used in Procreate, such as tapping with two fingers to undo and tapping on the side of the Apple Pencil to switch to the eraser.
  • Hya Suis Sketches provides a limited but quality set of tools and a flexible color palette, encouraging users to develop their own preferred color palette.

Cons of Hya Suis Sketches App:

  • The major drawback of this app is the paywall for layers. Without paying, users are limited to working in a single layer, which can be frustrating for artists who rely on layers for their artwork.

2. Autodesk SketchBook App

Autodesk SketchBook, a popular app among artists, was our next stop on the search for the best free mobile art app. With a user-friendly interface, Autodesk SketchBook provides a more comprehensive and feature-rich experience compared to Hya Suis Sketches.

Pros of Autodesk SketchBook App:

  • The app offers a range of blending modes, similar to Photoshop, allowing users to create different effects.
  • It includes a selection tool that facilitates precise moves, even on an iPad.
  • Autodesk SketchBook provides a smooth inking experience, although it lacks the two-finger tap shortcut for undoing.

Cons of Autodesk SketchBook App:

  • Exporting images sometimes results in the loss of blended effects, leaving users with unblended images.
  • The placement of the undo button may be inconvenient for left-handed users.

3. Adobe Sketch App

Adobe Sketch, associated with the renowned Photoshop line of drawing programs, is another app we put to the test. While it offers the familiarity of Adobe programs, it falls short in terms of functionality and user experience.

Pros of Adobe Sketch App:

  • The layer system in Adobe Sketch is straightforward and easy to use.
  • The brushes in Adobe Sketch are responsive and do not lag or glitch.
  • The app provides a variety of layer settings, prioritizing blending layers over offering a wide range of brushes.

Cons of Adobe Sketch App:

  • Adobe Sketch lacks some essential shortcuts, such as double-tapping to undo. This can be inconvenient for users who want a seamless drawing experience.
  • The app feels limited, lacking features like a fill bucket and a selection tool for easier manipulation of artwork.

4. Ibis Paint App

Ibis Paint surprised us with its extensive set of features, making it the most feature-packed app we tested. Designed primarily for comic artists, Ibis Paint offers a robust toolset for creating professional-looking artwork.

Pros of Ibis Paint App:

  • Ibis Paint allows users to create comic panels and offers a text tool with a variety of fonts, including comic fonts.
  • The app provides numerous features for free, although some brushes can be unlocked temporarily by watching video ads.
  • The recording feature allows users to create speed paint videos, although the exporting option may be limited.

Cons of Ibis Paint App:

  • The presence of ads and the way some brushes are locked behind video ads can be distracting and diminish the overall experience.
  • The vast number of features can be overwhelming for beginners or users seeking a more minimalistic drawing experience.

5. Drawing Pad App

Drawing Pad, despite its charming interface, failed to impress us with its lack of essential features and poor drawing experience.

Pros of Drawing Pad App:

  • The interface of Drawing Pad is visually appealing and may attract young children or those looking for a simplistic drawing experience.

Cons of Drawing Pad App:

  • The app lacks pen pressure sensitivity, an essential feature for realistic and dynamic drawing.
  • The default presence of a glow effect on the lineart tool makes it unsuitable for professional use.
  • Drawing Pad lacks a layer system, limiting users' ability to work on complex or refined artwork.
  • The presence of a watermark and the requirement to upgrade to access additional features detract from the overall quality of the app.

Final Verdict

Based on our thorough testing and evaluation, the top recommendation for the best free mobile art app is Autodesk SketchBook. Its comprehensive range of features, intuitive interface, and overall performance set it apart from the competition. Although Adobe Sketch and Ibis Paint offer compelling features, their limitations and drawbacks place them below Autodesk SketchBook. Hya Suis Sketches also shows promise but falls short due to its paywalled layers. Drawing Pad, on the other HAND, does not meet the requirements for a satisfactory drawing app.

Conclusion

With the variety of free mobile art apps available, finding the perfect app for your artistic needs can be challenging. Each app has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to assess your requirements and preferences. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a professional illustrator, or an art enthusiast, the right app can enhance your creativity and simplify your artistic process. Explore the options discussed in this article and discover the best free mobile art app for your artistic Journey.

Highlights:

  • Autodesk SketchBook emerges as the top choice for the best free mobile art app.
  • Hya Suis Sketches offers an intuitive design but lacks essential features due to paywalled layers.
  • Adobe Sketch provides familiarity but falls short in functionality and user experience.
  • Ibis Paint caters to comic artists with its extensive feature set but may overwhelm beginners.
  • Drawing Pad disappoints with its lack of essential features and poor drawing experience.

FAQ:

Q: Can I use Autodesk SketchBook without paying for additional features? A: Yes, Autodesk SketchBook offers a comprehensive set of features for free without any paywalls.

Q: Is there a way to undo in Adobe Sketch without tapping in the bottom left corner? A: Unfortunately, Adobe Sketch does not offer the two-finger tap shortcut for undoing. Users must tap in the bottom left corner of the screen to undo.

Q: Does Ibis Paint require payment to unlock certain brushes? A: While Ibis Paint provides numerous brushes for free, some brushes can be unlocked temporarily by watching video ads.

Q: Can I export speed paint videos created in Ibis Paint? A: Yes, Ibis Paint allows users to create speed paint videos, but exporting them may be limited to viewing within the app itself.

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