Finding the right digital painting app can be tough, especially when you’re trying to keep costs down. Luckily, there are tons of great options out there that let you create amazing art without spending a dime. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro looking for a new tool, this list of the best free painting app download options should help you find something that fits your needs. We’ve looked at apps that work on different devices and offer a variety of features, so you can get painting right away.

Key Takeaways

• Many free painting apps offer professional-grade tools, rivaling paid software.
• Consider your device and operating system when choosing a painting app.
• Look for features like brush variety, layer support, and responsiveness.
• Some apps have ads or optional paid upgrades for more features.
• Experiment with different apps to find the one that best suits your artistic style.

1. Photoshop

When you talk about digital art software, Photoshop is pretty much the first name that comes up, and for good reason. It’s been the industry standard for ages, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. This program can do just about anything you throw at it, from detailed digital painting and illustration to photo editing, graphic design, and even some basic animation and 3D work. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of creative software.

What really sets Photoshop apart is the sheer number of tools and features it packs. While the default brushes are okay, the real magic happens when you start exploring the massive library of custom brushes available, or even create your own. Plus, you get a full suite of blending tools, color adjustment options, powerful masking capabilities, and handy features like the Liquify tool for quick fixes. Adobe is also constantly adding new stuff, like those impressive Neural Filters and AI-powered tools such as Generative Expand and Fill, which can really open up new creative avenues.

It’s also worth noting that Photoshop plays nicely with other Adobe products like Illustrator and Lightroom, making it easy to move your work between different applications. For those who need to print their work, Photoshop’s support for CMYK color mode is a big plus, as many other drawing apps don’t offer this.

However, there’s a catch, and it’s a big one for many: Photoshop runs on a subscription model. While you can get a decent deal with the Photography plan that includes Lightroom, paying monthly for just Photoshop can add up over time. If your primary focus is just painting and you don’t need all the bells and whistles for graphic design or photo manipulation, there are definitely more budget-friendly options out there.

Getting started with Photoshop can feel a bit overwhelming because there are so many tools and menus. It’s true that it might take a while to learn everything, but the good news is you don’t need to. The vast amount of online tutorials available means you can usually find a step-by-step guide for whatever you want to achieve.

Key Features:

• Extensive Toolset: Brushes, blending modes, color correction, masking, filters, and more.
• Customization: Huge library of custom brushes and the ability to create your own.
• AI Integration: Features like Neural Filters and Generative Fill/Expand.
• Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
• CMYK Support: Ideal for print-ready artwork.

Pricing:

• Starts at $20.99/month (Photography Plan with Lightroom) or part of the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.
• Offers a 7-day free trial, but be mindful of automatic billing after the trial ends.

2. Krita

Krita is a really solid choice if you’re looking for a free digital painting app. It’s made by artists, for artists, which you can tell because it feels pretty intuitive. You get a ton of brushes, and you can even import or create your own, which is pretty neat. It handles layers like a champ, even vector layers, so you can resize things without losing quality. Plus, it has some cool features like a symmetry tool for making patterns and even basic animation tools if you’re into that.

One thing to keep in mind is that the brush strokes can sometimes feel a bit slow, especially compared to paid options. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something you might notice. If super-fast brush performance is your main thing, you might want to check out something like Clip Studio Paint.

Krita is completely free to download from its official website. If you decide to get it through other stores like Steam or the Microsoft Store, there’s a small fee, but the core software itself is open-source and free. They also have beta versions for ChromeOS and Android if you want to try those out.

Here’s a quick rundown of what Krita offers:

• Brush Customization: Huge variety of brushes, plus the ability to import and create your own.
• Layer Management: Supports unlimited layers, including vector layers for scalable text and shapes.
• Drawing Aids: Tools like symmetry rulers and perspective guides to help with complex designs.
• Animation Features: Frame-by-frame animation support with audio preview.
• PSD Support: Works with Photoshop files, which is handy for collaboration.

If you’re just starting out or want a powerful free tool, Krita is definitely worth a look. You can download Krita today and see for yourself what it can do.

3. ibis Paint X

ibis Paint X is a really popular drawing app, especially if you’re into manga or comics. It’s got a ton of features that make it feel like a professional tool, but it’s free to download, which is pretty sweet. You get access to over 15,000 brushes, which is a lot to play with, and more than 15,000 materials and 1,000 fonts. Plus, there are 80 filters and 46 screentones, so you can really add some flair to your work. It even has tools specifically for making comics, like paneling and templates.

One of the coolest things is that it records your drawing process, so you can make timelapse videos of your art. You can also save your work to the cloud and even move it to other programs if you need to.

The interface can be a bit overwhelming at first because there are so many options, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward. Customizing the layout is possible, which helps a lot.

It’s free, but you will see ads. You can get rid of them by watching ads to temporarily unlock features, or you can pay for a subscription to remove ads and get more tools.

Here’s a quick look at what it offers:

• Extensive Brush Library: Over 15,000 brushes to choose from.
• Manga Tools: Specific features for comic creation.
• Process Recording: Save your drawing sessions as videos.
• Cloud Sync: Keep your artwork backed up and accessible across devices.

If you’re looking for a powerful free drawing app, especially for manga, ibis Paint X is definitely worth checking out. You can find out more about customizing the interface on their official website.

4. Sketchbook

Sketchbook is a really solid option if you’re looking for a free drawing app that feels professional without being overly complicated. It’s got this clean interface that just lets you get straight to drawing, which I appreciate. You know, sometimes you just want to sketch without a million buttons staring you down. It offers a decent range of brushes, and you can tweak them to get the feel you want, whether you’re going for a pencil look or something smoother.

One of the best things about Sketchbook is that it’s completely free, and they mean it – no hidden costs or features locked behind a paywall. This makes it a fantastic choice for anyone starting out or even experienced artists who just want a reliable tool for sketching and light painting. It also supports layers and blend modes, which are pretty important if you want to do more than just basic doodles.

The app is known for its smooth drawing performance. You won’t usually run into lag, even when you’re working on larger canvases or using multiple layers. This responsiveness really makes a difference when you’re trying to capture a specific line or shade.

It’s also pretty cool that they offer a desktop version, so you can switch between your tablet and computer if you need to. While it doesn’t have the massive community features you might find in some other apps, it’s still a powerful and straightforward tool. You can find out more about getting started on the official Sketchbook website.

5. Adobe Fresco

Adobe Fresco is a pretty neat option if you’re into digital painting and drawing, especially if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem. It’s designed for touch and stylus devices, so it feels pretty natural to use if you’ve got a tablet. What really sets it apart are these ‘Live Brushes’. They’re supposed to mimic real paint, and you can actually control how much water is in them, which affects how colors blend. It’s kind of cool to see colors mix on the canvas like they would with actual paint.

One of the best parts is that Fresco lets you mix raster and vector brushes on the same canvas. This means you can get that painterly look but still have the flexibility of vector graphics, which is handy if you ever need to scale your work without losing quality. It also plays nicely with other Adobe stuff like Photoshop and Illustrator, and you can even use your Photoshop brushes in Fresco.

Fresco offers a free version that’s quite capable, but if you want the full experience with all the brushes and features, you’ll need a subscription. It’s a good deal if you’re already paying for other Adobe apps, but if you’re just starting out or only need a painting app, it’s something to consider.

It’s definitely worth checking out if you want to download Adobe Fresco and experiment with some different painting styles. The interface is pretty straightforward, though some users find it a bit more complex than other apps. Still, for a free tool that offers this kind of blending and brush variety, it’s a solid choice for many artists.

6. MediBang Paint

MediBang Paint is a really solid choice, especially if you’re into making comics or manga. It’s free, which is always a plus, and you get access to a bunch of tools that are pretty much standard for comic creation. Think things like panel rulers and screentones – they’ve got you covered.

The big draw here is its cloud syncing feature. This means you can save your work and pick up right where you left off on a different device, which is super handy if you move around a lot or use both a computer and a tablet.

Here’s a quick look at what makes MediBang Paint stand out:

• Comic Creation Tools: Built-in features for creating comic panels and applying screentones make it a go-to for sequential art.
• Cloud Storage: Get 3GB of cloud storage to keep your projects accessible across multiple devices.
• Brush Variety: Offers a good selection of brushes and pens, with options for customization to fit your style.
• ARTstreet Community: Connect with other artists, share your work, and find resources through their dedicated social platform.

To get the most out of MediBang, like more cloud storage or access to premium brushes, you can sign up for an account. It’s a good way to test out more features without immediately paying anything. They also have a premium subscription if you want to go all-in, but honestly, the free version is quite capable on its own.

While it’s geared towards comics, MediBang Paint is also perfectly fine for general digital illustration. The interface might take a little getting used to if you’re not familiar with comic-specific tools, but it’s generally user-friendly and feels pretty familiar if you’ve used other desktop art programs before.

7. Microsoft Paint 3D

Microsoft Paint 3D is a bit of a surprise package. While it might look like a simple upgrade to the classic Paint program we all know, it actually packs some neat features, especially if you’re curious about dipping your toes into 3D art without a big commitment. The standout feature here is its ability to turn your 2D drawings into basic 3D models. You can grab pre-made 3D shapes or even take something you’ve drawn and give it a bit of depth, making it pop out from the screen. It’s not going to win any awards for complex 3D rendering, but for quick, fun creations, it’s pretty neat.

It offers a decent range of paint effects and finishes, letting you play around with how your 3D object looks. You can even add lighting effects to give it some mood. It’s quite accessible, meaning you don’t need to be a 3D modeling expert to get started. Plus, if you have a 3D printer, you can even send your creations off to be made in the real world.

• Convert 2D drawings to 3D models.
• Apply various paint effects and finishes.
• Add lighting to 3D objects.
• Combine multiple objects to create scenes.

While the 3D capabilities are fairly basic and don’t offer fine control over depth, it’s a fun and easy way to experiment with 3D concepts, especially for younger artists or those just starting out.

8. Microsoft Fresh Paint

Microsoft Fresh Paint is another free offering from Microsoft, and this one really aims to capture the feel of traditional painting. It’s designed with touchscreens in mind, making it super intuitive if you’re using a tablet or a device with a touch-enabled screen. The interface is pretty neat, with a virtual palette that shows colors splattering when you dip your brush, which is a nice visual cue. You can even rinse your brush in water before grabbing a new color, or blend colors right on the brush itself.

Fresh Paint does a good job of simulating different art materials, like watercolors and gouache. It lets you work with your digital paint as if it were still wet, so you can smudge and mix colors on the canvas just like you would with real paint. This makes it accessible for beginners and kids who just want to play around, but experienced artists can also get some good results from tools that act like their real-world counterparts.

Fresh Paint really leans into a realistic painting experience, which is its main focus. While it might not have the vast array of tools found in more complex programs, it excels at providing a natural and enjoyable painting simulation.

9. Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is a really solid choice, especially if you’re into making comics or manga. It’s got this dedicated following for a reason, and the way it handles pen pressure feels super natural when you’re using a drawing tablet. While other programs might have a slightly more robust brush engine for that traditional art feel, Clip Studio Paint packs most of the tools you’d ever need for comic book styles, and it does so at a much better price point. You can get it in two main versions: Pro and EX. The Pro version is the more budget-friendly one. If your wallet allows, EX is the way to go for more animation features and extra rulers, but if you just want to test the waters, Pro is a great starting point.

It’s available on a bunch of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and even iPad, so you can work across different devices pretty easily.

The interface can feel a bit overwhelming at first with all the settings it throws at you, but it’s quite customizable. Once you get used to it, especially with just the brushes, layers, color wheel, and preview windows, it becomes a comfortable workspace. Plus, there are tons of tutorials out there to help you get the hang of it.

There are a few ways to pay for Clip Studio Paint. You can buy a perpetual license, which is a one-time purchase, or you can go with a subscription plan that starts at a really low monthly cost. They also offer free trials, which is awesome for trying it out before you commit.

• Pro Version: Good for illustrations, single-page comics, and short animations.
• EX Version: Includes everything in Pro, plus tools for multi-page comics and longer animations.
• Pricing: Offers both perpetual licenses and monthly subscriptions, with free trials available for both versions.

10. Procreate

Procreate is a really popular choice, especially if you’re an iPad user. It’s got this super clean interface that makes it easy to jump right in, even if you’re new to digital art. It feels incredibly natural to draw with, almost like using a real pencil or brush.

What I like about Procreate is how much you can customize. You get a bunch of great brushes right away, but there’s also a huge community sharing even more. It’s perfect for detailed illustrations and realistic painting, and you can work with tons of layers, which is handy for complex projects. Plus, they’ve added 3D painting tools, which is pretty neat.

It’s only available on the iPad, though, so keep that in mind. There’s a version for the iPhone called Procreate Pocket, but it’s not as feature-packed. They don’t offer a free trial, but the one-time cost is pretty reasonable for what you get. It’s definitely worth checking out if you want a powerful yet simple painting app for your tablet. You can find out more about getting started with digital painting on a budget here.

• Platform: iPad only
• Cost: One-time purchase ($12.99 USD)
• Key Features: Customizable brushes, layer support, 3D painting tools, intuitive UI
• Best For: Digital illustration, realistic painting, iPad artists

Finding Your Digital Art Home

So, there you have it. We looked at a bunch of free painting and drawing apps, and honestly, there’s a lot out there that can get you started without costing a dime. Whether you’re just messing around or trying to get serious, you can find something that works. Don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune to make cool art. Give a few of these a try, see what feels right in your hands, and just start creating. You might be surprised at what you can do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these painting apps really free?

Many apps are free to download and use, but some might show ads or have extra features that you can pay for. Think of it like a free game that lets you buy cool stuff to make it even better. You can still make great art without paying!

Can I use these apps on my phone or tablet?

Yes, most of these apps work great on phones and tablets, especially if they have a touchscreen. Some even work better with a special pen, like a stylus, which can feel more like drawing with a real pencil.

Which app is best for beginners?

It really depends on what you like to draw! Some apps are super simple and good for quick sketches, while others have tons of special brushes and tools that are great for detailed paintings or even making comics. It’s a good idea to try a few to see which one feels right for you.

Can I work on my art on different devices?

Some apps let you save your work in the cloud, which means you can access it from different devices, like your phone and your computer. Others might require you to save your files yourself if you switch devices.

Do these apps have tools to help me draw smooth lines?

Absolutely! Many of these apps have tools that help make your lines smooth and steady, which is super helpful for drawing clean shapes or writing text. Some even have special brushes that feel like real paint or pencils.

Can I use layers in these apps?

Yes, many apps have a ‘layer’ system. Think of layers like transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. You can draw on one layer without messing up what’s on another, which makes it much easier to fix mistakes or try out different ideas.