The Apple iPad, and especially the models with Apple Pencil support, are very suitable for drawing and painting. Whether iPad or iPad Pro: there are a number of apps available for creating lines, colored areas, comics, paintings, portraits, designs and sketches. There are already potent solutions with the programs available natively under iPadOS. But there are also apps for sketching, drawing and painting on the Apple iPad that do not come from the manufacturer itself. And these will make up the bulk of the list below. In the second part, which goes online tomorrow, there will be further alternatives.
Chapter in this post:
- 1 Apple Notes - Get started in the native app
- 2 Procreate - The go-to app for sketches, drawings and digital painting
- 3 Linea Sketch - Entry into sketches with up to five levels
- 4 Paper (by WeTransfer) - Simple but good way to draw on the iPad
- 5 Affinity Photo / Affinity Designer - Great Alternatives to Adobe Apps
- 6 More drawing and painting apps for the iPad (Pro) in Part 2
- 7 Similar posts
Apple Notes - Get started in the native app
With “Notes”, Apple provides an app in which you can not only create your shopping or to-do list. Handwritten entries and drawings can also be made in it. A differentiated selection of pens and brushes is missing, and there are also no layers. But the range of functions is definitely sufficient for a simple sketch, a quick picture or a picture-guessing game on the iPad. In addition, Notes is free, usable with the finger and Apple Pencil, and comes with a few basic pens and colors. A good start, but not much more.
- Name: Notes
- Price: Free
- Download: Preinstalled or App Store
Procreate - the go-to app for sketches, drawings and digital painting
If you look around for painting apps for the Apple iPad (Pro), you will not get past the name "Procreate". I usually get it as an answer when I ask people how they create their drawings on the Apple tablet. Procreate offers a wide variety of pens, a full range of colors, layers, filters and much more. Regardless of whether it is a hobby or professional drawing, this app is recommended for all users. The app costs EUR 10,99 once and offers in-app purchases for exclusive content. There are also numerous tutorials, instructions and assistance for the program on the Internet. And even a printed manual (May 2021).
- Name: Procreate
- Price: 10,99 euros + in-app purchases
- Download: App Store
Linea Sketch - Entry into sketches with up to five levels
With "Linea Sketch" you don't get as many options as with Procreate. But maybe that's better if you want more options than in Apple's Notes app, but still want a shallow entry. Linea Sketch offers several levels as a free download with in-app purchases as well as different pens in three sizes each. The color selection can be made individually as well as simplified with an automatic color palette. If you are looking for a solution on the iPad (Pro) to create sketches that you can then edit on the Mac or PC with Photoshop, this app will also help you, because the projects can be output in an appropriate format, including layers.
- Name: Linea Sketch
- Price: Free + in-app purchases
- Download: App Store
Paper (by WeTransfer) - Simple but good way to draw on the iPad
The drawing and painting app "Paper" comes from the provider WeTransferwho actually specializes in sharing files over the Internet. In the German-speaking App Store, the app is only named Paper, in the English-speaking counterpart the name is “Paper by WeTransfer”. The app has a clear interface, several tools, each with three sizes, and, last but not least, the ability to create beautiful pictures, designs and works of art. This is possible with your finger as well as with the Apple Pencil. The free app offers in-app purchases for add-ons and the pro version. But none of this is super-extensive.
- Name: Paper / Paper by WeTransfer
- Price: Free + in-app purchases
- Download: App Store
Affinity Photo / Affinity Designer - Great alternatives to Adobe apps
Of course, I never tire of mentioning Serif Labs' Adobe alternatives. As on the Apple Mac and Windows PC, the “Affinity” programs are also available for the iPad. Affinity Photo is the alternative to Photoshop. Affinity Designer is the alternative to the illustrator. The choice between the two apps is probably based on the question of whether you prefer to work with photos and completely free drawings (Affinity Photo) or whether you want to create illustrations, designs and vector graphics (Affinity Designer). Both apps cost a one-time fee of 21,99 euros each - there is no subscription and no in-app purchases required for functionality. So an extensive range without pitfalls!
More drawing and painting apps for the iPad (Pro) in Part 2
Tomorrow there will be the second part of this list with another five apps that will help you draw, paint, sketch and edit pictures on the Apple iPad (Pro). All can be used with the finger. For many artistic inputs, however, it is worth using an Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil 2 on compatible tablets and their displays. Which app do you like best from this list? And which app have I forgotten in this list? Feel free to write a comment on the topic! Or wait for the second list and then write something under there;)
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
- Brilliant 12,9 "Liquid Retina XDR display (32,77 cm diagonal) with ProMotion, TrueTone and a large P3 color space
- TrueDepth camera system with ultra-wide-angle camera and the follow-up mode "Keep in the picture"
- With the latest Apple Pencil, you can take notes, write and draw better than ever before - intuitively, ...
- The Apple Pencil sticks magnetically to the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly
- And you can easily switch between tools with a double tap
- The Smart Folio for iPad Pro is made from a single piece of polyurethane to hold the front and back of the iPad ...
- s automatically wakes your iPad Pro and puts it to sleep when it is closed. You can use the Smart ...
- Compatibility: 12.9 "iPad Pro (3rd generation, 4th generation, 5th generation)
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[On vacation] After graduating from high school, Johannes completed training as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which led to his independence. He has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others, for several years now. His articles include product introductions, news, instructions, video games, consoles and much more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
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