Top 10 programs for drawing on the computer. Programs for drawing on a graphics tablet. Professional drawing programs. Inkspace - a program for creating artistic illustrations
This review presents the best computer drawing programs for experienced artists and ordinary users. The diverse functionality of the applications allows you to draw portraits, landscapes, comics or create design designs. A wide variety of tools, processing effects and modes will allow you to create a unique masterpiece.
Our selection of free drawing programs will help you get acquainted with the capabilities of each software and choose the best one.
Programs |
Russian language |
License |
Plugins |
Rating |
Purpose |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | No | 10 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 9 | Pro | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | No | 6 | Amateur | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Pro |
GIMP is a free editor for creating screen and web graphics, high-quality processing and drawing with a large set of tools and a variety of effects. The application supports all popular formats, has batch processing and works with layers. The interface is multi-window and customizable for the user.
PicPick is a free application for creating screenshots by capturing the screen and further editing it. Using the “scroll” function, you can create a screenshot of web pages and documents in the form of a single image. The software has a Russian-language interface and a wide selection of editing tools.
Paint.NET is a free application that functions as a graphics editor with the ability to work with layers, noise reduction, stylization and artistic processing. The main options of the program are focused on working with photo editing and vector graphics.
Inkscape is a free graphics utility for creating vector technical drawings with a set of tools for easy and fast editing. It runs on a custom engine, exports and imports into various graphics formats, opens and saves in gzip compressed format, and also has a multilingual menu.
PaintTool SAI is a free application for creating beautiful digital paintings and high-quality illustrations using a variety of tools and effects. The utility works with an unlimited number of layers, edits files of various formats and saves them in its own “.sai”. Implemented work with a graphics tablet.
Krita is a free program that allows you to create, process and adjust raster graphics using a large set of tools and filters. The cross-platform utility simulates canvas material, emulates real tools and supports photo import.
Adobe Photoshop is a popular, powerful utility for high-quality editing and working with photos and images using a wide range of tools. The graphics editor supports various modes and layers, adds effects and text entries, creates raster graphics, while having a clear interface.
Text: Victor Bespaly
The computer has changed its role more than once during its evolution. If earlier it was bought in order to create, now it has turned into a center for multimedia entertainment. You can watch movies, listen to music, play games on your computer - and that’s enough for most people. But not for those who want to create. Today we will talk about how you can draw on a computer - and at the same time draw beautifully.
A true designer is unthinkable without an artistic education; he must have excellent command of the techniques of drawing (pencil, charcoal), graphics (watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink, etc.), painting (gouache, watercolor, tempera, acrylic, oil). But everyone can master computer graphics. A computer in the hands of an ordinary person can turn into an obedient instrument for the embodiment of his artistic idea - the very one that he cannot translate on paper.
The first thing to remember is that there are two types of graphic files: vector and raster. The set of tools and programs you need will depend on which graphics you prefer. In vector files, an image is formed by a set of curves and shading functions. Each time you open this image, the editor program draws the image from scratch. In raster files, a picture is a set of dots with a color parameter, and the picture is universal, but takes up more space.
HEALTHY IRON
One of the most important parameters of a computer is the amount of RAM.
Contrary to many claims, you don't need a very fast processor to draw on a computer. A real frequency of 1.5-2 GHz is quite enough, it will be Intel or AMD - it makes no difference, it all depends on the means and preferences you have. The most important parameter of a computer working with graphics is the amount of RAM; the more of it, the better. Our work applications, such as Photoshop, Painter, OpenCanvas (or even 3DS MAX), love it when there is a lot of RAM. And if you are going to create complex multi-layer compositions (and you definitely are?), then you can’t get away with the standard 512 MB DDR. We recommend installing at least 1 GB; The speed of RAM affects performance less noticeably.
You don’t need a cutting-edge video card for drawing, and the brand doesn’t really matter either. However, there is an established opinion that the best cards for drawing and graphics are produced by Matrox.
Now the main thing: the periphery. And we'll start with the good old scanner- without it, the artist will have a very difficult time, but he is needed, first of all, to enter background blanks into the computer. For example, you drew a palm tree and now you need to place it on an island by the sea. Take a similar illustration on paper, scan it, stylize it as a painting and place it as a layer under a palm tree. A digital camera can compensate for the lack of a scanner, but in this application it will only cope with the task with a C grade. You can make sketches by hand on plain paper, and then correct them on the computer after scanning them. A decent scanner will cost you 2 – 2.5 thousand rubles.
And finally, the main peripheral device for a computer artist is digitizer or tablet. They come in two main types - drawing and graphic. Drawing tablet created for CAD applications such as AutoCAD, 3DStudioMAX and their analogues. Such tablets have a pen without a degree of pressure - it is either pressed or not, there are no details provided here. The main advantages of these tablets are high resolution and positioning accuracy; an old model with a large area will cost approximately 1,800 rubles.
Graphics tablet differs in the following: a small area (graphics have small areas compared to drawings); It positions the point more roughly, but it feels pressure on the pen, and this is a big plus. If you use Adobe Photoshop, then working with chiaroscuro and brushes of different thicknesses will be much easier. Additionally, you can use a function that makes the stroke brighter or paler depending on the pressure applied - as a result, we get the opportunity to draw a lighter or darker “spot” without changing the brush.
For our case, graphics tablets are best suited. Prices for non-professional models start from 800 rubles; As you understand, the more expensive the tablet, the better it is and the more convenient it is to work on it. However, even on a small A6 matrix everything can look quite tolerable.
Another useful device - uninterruptable power source. It's better to play it safe than to later grieve over the loss of the brilliant creation you've been poring over for a week. The estimated price depends on the desired capacity and the number of connected devices. In order to have time to save the drawing at the right time and turn off the computer correctly, a UPS costing 1,000 rubles is quite enough.
Common mice
A rather exotic input method is trackball- an inverted mouse with a large ball. The user rotates this ball with his fingers. The advantage of a trackball over a mouse is its high precision of cursor movement at low speeds. The trackball is inconvenient for everyday use.
In choise mice everything is quite simple: does it fit comfortably in the hand, is there scrolling or a 3rd button, etc., all this is entirely up to your taste. A separate conversation about rugs; rugs should be purchased specifically, and not used as a bonus for a new computer.
A mechanical mouse pad should be both slippery and grippy. This means that the mouse should not stick to the carpet, but the ball should literally bite into it. For optics, it is better to choose a mat so that the mouse does not move the cursor while standing still. The size of the mat should also be optimal - too large ones take up a lot of space on the table, and too small ones force the user to frequently move the mouse away from the edge of the mat.
You can also draw with a regular mouse. But it's not necessary.
PROGRAMS FOR ARTISTS
There is a whole range of software tools - from simple computer drawing tools to professional packages. The Windows shell includes one of the simplest packages - Paint. Using the example of working with this package, you can get an initial idea of the techniques for creating graphic files. There are also more serious packages, for example, Adobe Photoshop. Let's try to briefly go through the main programs and highlight their advantages and disadvantages.
Painter is one of the best drawing programs.
Painter- the best program for a computer artist. Now version 8 has been released, called Corel Painter. Don't be fooled by phrases like "Procreate Painter is better than Corel Painter" - it's the same program. Painter easily imitates all currently known real materials for drawing and painting, and even the styles of individual famous artists. The interface is intuitive, the only drawback of the program is that it is paid.Adobe Photoshop- a package focused more on photo processing than on drawing. However, it contains many essential tools for an artist. Painting in it is not very convenient, but coloring comic book pictures is great, and applying different styles and filters to them is even better. The great advantage of Photoshop is that a huge number of filters, brushes and other add-ons have been created for it. You can easily convert all your sketches into a single gallery with a recognizable style. Photoshop is paid and expensive, but it's worth it.
Photoshop is a powerful graphics editor for all occasions.
OpenCanvas- a completely free program for artists, very light and convenient, but in terms of functionality it is very inferior to expensive analogues. In many ways it repeats the flagships, but is greatly simplified. The project is developing, new updates are released periodically. Can be recommended to all aspiring artists.
OpenCanvas is free and functional - that's what's great about it.
Ambient Design ArtRage- a special program that allows you to draw almost works of art using a tablet computer or tablet. You can either draw it yourself or use any digital photograph as a background; You can draw not only on a tablet computer, but also using an ordinary mouse or tablet. A very useful and absolutely free program.
Ambient Design ArtRage was created specifically for tablet computers.
Corel Draw- vector graphic editor. For a long time it was considered a toy for amateurs; professionals disdained the program, preferring Adobe Illustrator. But the Canadian company Corel did not stand still - the situation changed after the release of episode 10. The program has grown so much that today we can already recognize it as a very serious vector graphics tool. It will appeal to everyone - from a green beginner trying to draw “in Korel” for the first time, to a pro who can quickly use it to create some fashionable trademark or label for a new type of beer.
Corel Draw is a powerful vector editor.
By combining these editors with each other, you can achieve almost any result. The only thing worth remembering is that the vector editor is always primary, and the raster editor is secondary. That is, having edited a file in a raster editor, it can no longer be converted to vector format; you can only apply the next layer.
Summarize. A must-have kit for a computer artist is Painter or Photoshop. Optional - Flash, Corel Draw, OpenCanvas. A vector editor allows you to create an image from scratch, while a raster editor works better with blanks. This, of course, does not mean that you can’t draw something decent, or even even brilliant, in Photoshop. But it’s more convenient to draw in vector programs.
Options for practical use
Budget. Mouse, pad, raster editor.
If you have invested a little more than the standard 10 dollars in a mouse pad and a mouse, and even if you have a lot of patience and no less time, then, of course, you will draw something. Unfortunately, drawing with a regular mouse is very difficult. At best, the resulting drawings are in the style of children's primitivism.
Minimum. Scanner, sheet of paper, pencil, mouse, raster or vector editor.
This method is quite labor-intensive, but allows you to get good results. The idea is simple - you make a sketch on paper, scan it and process it in a graphics editor. The better the software, the better the drawing will be.
Comfortable. Mouse, scanner, Corel Draw, high-quality mouse pad.
It is very convenient if the mouse polling frequency is high, and with the help of vector editors you can draw any curved lines correctly. But this method is only good for vector editors.
How to. Graphics tablet, scanner, trackball, Corel Draw and Adobe Photoshop.
With this set you can draw at a high level, you are limited only by your skills and imagination.
Graphics tablet
A tablet is an ideal device for drawing.
Probably, almost everyone who has ever picked up an electronic pen and tried to draw something on a graphics tablet has experienced bewilderment and disappointment. It looks so much like a regular pen, but the feeling of drawing is completely different. And the results, frankly speaking, are not brilliant. Perhaps the result will be better if you understand the principle of operation of these miracle plates.
A special mesh is installed inside the tablet. These are conductors made from the thinnest copper strips. Each of them can be compared to a receiving antenna that receives a signal from an electronic pen. They allow special chips to track the position of the pen on the tablet and transmit its coordinates to the chip. Then the driver and drawing program are turned on.
When we move the pen over the active area of the tablet, a trace remains on the screen, if we have a graphics editor loaded and a drawing tool is selected. Many tablets have a transparent plastic cover that can be removed so you can put a picture or photo underneath. This way you can trace the image, copying it. The pen itself has one end for drawing and the other for erasing. The design and principle of operation of all tablets are almost the same.
Happy work!
Free drawing programs, like any software distributed under a freeware or shareware license, are becoming less and less different from their large-scale commercial counterparts every year.
Thanks to the extensive community of developers and enthusiasts, new versions of well-known free graphic editors are regularly released, as well as new original projects are created.
At the same time, various drawing software is becoming increasingly specialized, focusing on use by children, creating cartoons, designing designs, etc.
Therefore, if you do not want to pay a significant amount for the ability to crop a picture and fundamentally do not use pirated software, then this review will help you choose the most suitable option for you.
GIMP
GIMP is a free alternative to the popular Photoshop editor from IT giant Adobe.
This program is the default solution for creating and editing images on any Unix system, but there are also versions for Windows and Mac.
Tux Paint
As mentioned at the beginning of our article, many developers do not try to impress their users with the maximum range of functions or their greatest efficiency.
Instead, they are looking for their own philosophy and a niche market in which they will be pioneers.
The Tux Paint drawing program is aimed primarily at children aged 3 to 12 years, in order to develop in them a love of painting with the help of modern information technologies.
Therefore, the interface of this program is significantly different from other representatives of software of this class.
All the tools are extremely simple, and to configure them there is no need to understand manuals; the controls are large and immediately indicate their purpose.
The penguin Tux (a symbol of the Linux community) helps take the first steps, who will introduce young creators to the basic capabilities of the program, which will allow them to draw their first picture within a few minutes after the first launch of Tux Paint.
This software is an example of an excellent implementation of an original idea in an area in which it would seem almost impossible to fight the hegemony of corporate giants.
Tux Paint is successfully used in many European educational institutions for preschool and primary school children.
ArtWaver
ArtWaver is another image management solution developed under an OpenSource license.
Like GIMP, it was created as a counterweight to Photoshop, and its appearance and tools are similar to older versions of the program from Adobe.
But this image editor does not simply copy its more successful competitors, but has its own unique approach to the issue of processing and creating various images.
In particular, much attention is paid to brushes: by default, the program has a large selection of brushes of various types that can be carefully customized to suit your needs.
This makes it possible to use ArtWeaver not only for editing finished images, but also for full-fledged digital painting classes.
This software also features a very sophisticated system for working with layers, probably the best among free graphic editors, which is very important for working with images at home on a computer.
The developers have also created their own AWD editor format, but the user can export their work to any popular format such as JPG, PSD, PNG, etc.
ArtWaver is a well-balanced software that can become an effective tool for both amateurs and semi-professionals in the field of processing or creating digital images.
Pix Builder Studio
Another free application designed for editing raster graphics.
Its interface, which adheres to the principles of older versions of Windows (by the way, there is a version in Russian on the official website), is as simple and concise as possible.
At the same time, it gives access to many advanced functions such as Blure effect creation, sharpening adjustment and advanced curve adjustment.
SmoothDraw
The creators of this drawing program decided to spare their users as much as possible from the nuances of working with the interface and, from the first seconds of working with the application, give everything they need to start the creative process.
SmoothDraw does not have switchable panels or tricky settings - all its tools are located on the top panel and have graphic icons that everyone can understand.
The application is aimed at installation on graphics tablets, and not for full editing of ready-made pictures.
Despite the fact that many basic functions of modern editors are available in it, it shows its full potential only in the process of drawing from scratch.
In addition to a large number of tools that have real prototypes, such as brushes, pencils, markers, pens, etc., SmoothDraw also offers original functions:
full imitation of an aerosol can for graffiti, creating visual effects of a cart, starry sky, grass, etc.
The best programs for photo processing on PC! | Photo editors
In this video I will tell you about the best photo processing programs! Leave a like if you liked it!
Read our material about updating the Microsoft Paint program for drawing on a computer.
Drawing is an almost universal activity. People from different cultures around the world have been doing this since history began. A lot has changed since then. Instead of cave walls, we have phones, tablets and computers. The artistic streak can come out in anyone, and we want to help. Here are the best Android apps!
Adobe Illustrator Draw and Photoshop Sketch
(downloads: 8415)
Adobe Illustrator Draw and Photoshop Sketch are two drawing applications from Adobe. Illustrator Draw has a variety of drawing features, including layers, five different sets of pens and a variety of settings, and you can zoom in up to x64 to highlight the finer details in your work. When you're done, you can export the drawing to your device for sharing, or you can export it to your desktop computer for use with other Adobe products. You can also import projects from Adobe Capture CC. Photoshop Sketch has many features. Both apps can also work together so you can import and export projects back and forth between them. These apps are free to download, and you can get an optional Creative Cloud subscription to unlock additional features.
ArtFlow
(downloads: 3518)
ArtFlow is one of the most in-depth drawing apps out there. The main claim to fame of this application is the huge number of brushes. You can use one of 70 brushes and other tools to add polish to your painting. The app also has layers that you can blend. You can export your images as JPEG, PNG, or even PSD to later import into Photoshop. First of all, you will have access to Nvidia's DirectStylus support if you are using an Nvidia device. This is a reliable universal option for children and adults. You can download it for free to try it out.
dotpict
(downloads: 1622)
dotpict is one of the most unique drawing apps out there. It allows you to create pixelated images. You get a sect and you can zoom in and move around to create little scenes or characters just by filling in the squares. You can then zoom out to see your creation. The app also includes automatic saving, undoing and redoing, and you can export your work when you're done. In addition, the application is quite lightweight and carries virtually no load on your device. This is a great app for those who love creating pixel art.
Draw Something
(downloads: 637)
Draw Something is not like most drawing apps. Mainly because it's a game. In this game, you draw things and the other player tries to guess what you drew. Then he draws something and you try to figure out what it is. The app is not at all necessary for serious artists, but it helps to have fun. Draw Something promises social benefits by allowing you to play with other people. Downloading the app is free but includes in-app purchases.
Ibis Paint
(downloads: 3946)
Ibis Paint is a painting application with many interesting features. The app has over 140 different brushes, including pens, markers, real brushes, and other fun tools. Plus, you can record your drawing process to create a complete art video. There is support for layers and you can use as many layers as you need. The app also has features for different drawing styles, such as manga. You can check out the free version before moving on to the paid version, which will cost $4.99 as an in-app purchase. This is one of the most serious and profound applications of this rating.
Learn How to Draw
(downloads: 1262)
Learn How to Draw is a new drawing application. As the name suggests, it teaches you how to draw. The app includes a variety of tutorials that range from beginner to advanced levels. The application was created by famous comic book artist, Will Slyly. You'll notice that tutorials tend to focus on comic book style drawing and mostly revolve around drawing people. This app isn't for everyone, but it's a decent way to learn and develop good drawing habits. It is also a relatively inexpensive application. The developers also claim that there are new lessons that are added almost every week.
MediBang Paint
(downloads: 1877)
MediBang Paint is one of the best free painting apps. Its main feature is cross-platform support. You can download the app on your mobile device, Mac and Windows. All three have a cloud save feature that lets you start on one device and continue on another. This is cool. In addition, there are a decent number of brushes, comic drawing tools, and many other tools and add-ons. This is an amazingly good app for what it costs (free).
PaperOne
(downloads: 2987)
PaperOne is one of those drawing apps that tries to imitate real life as much as possible. The app includes the basics, including different types of brushes, so you can paint whatever you want. The application features a tracing feature. You can import a photo and make it semi-transparent. You can then trace the original photo. This makes the app a great choice for drawing, as well as a worthy learning tool. This is a very entertaining application, especially if you are a hobbyist. This is a free app, but you can unlock additional features with in-app purchases.
Rough Animator
(downloads: 1331)
RoughAnimator is a drawing application that allows you to create animations. Instead of creating a static image that you can export and share, RoughAnimator allows you to create full animation. You can draw frame by frame and then combine each frame to create little cartoons. The app includes features to control frame rate and resolution, as well as some simple drawing tools. Finished projects can be exported as GIF, QuickTime video, or as a sequence of images. The app will cost you $4.99, so we recommend that you test the app before the return period expires to see if you like it.
Sketchbook from Autodesk
(downloads: 3193)
Sketchbook from Autodesk has been around for a long time. This app has long been a favorite among artists looking for good drawing apps. Luckily, the app also comes with a decent set of features. You will have ten brushes. Each brush can be customized to suit your needs. They also include up to three pressure levels, six blending modes, up to x2500 magnification, and simulated pressure sensitivity. Upgrading to Professional mode gives you access to 100 more brush types, more layers, more blending options, and more tools. This is quite a powerful application and is also intended for serious artists. Unfortunately, the PRO version of the app is a bit expensive.
Many people like to draw a little in their free time. However, not everyone has the desire to tinker with real paints, brushes and canvases. Instead, they use drawing programs. You can use them to create both simple drawings and real masterpieces. At the same time, thanks to the very essence of a digital image, the convenience of such drawing is much higher.
Free drawing programs
GIMP- a completely free program that can replace Adobe Photoshop. It has all the necessary functionality to create any raster images. In addition to photo editing, you can also draw in Gimp. There are special brushes, texture sets and a convenient color palette for this.
You can work with Gimp using a mouse, sensor, or even a graphics tablet. Due to the fact that the program interface is translated into Russian, you can use it immediately after installation, without studying manuals.
Many people note that Gimp is more convenient and easier to learn; its interface is not overloaded with unnecessary and unnecessary functions. If you do not have enough of its capabilities, you can install additional plugins. They will help open some special formats, speed up image processing, or add new tools.
Gimp is one of the most popular graphics processing programs, and among the free ones, it is the best program.
It was created by a group of students, it is very convenient and functional. Its interface is similar to the standard Windows Paint editor, it is translated into a number of languages, including Russian, and this makes it easier to switch from one program to another. Paint.Net works very quickly and does not require a powerful processor or graphics card.
Users choose it because of its simplicity, fairly broad functionality and, of course, a free license. This program is not comparable to expensive analogues, it is difficult to use in professional activities, but for home use Paint.Net is a good option.
What's interesting is that right after installation it can open very specific file formats, such as DDS, which are used to create games. This has made it popular among novice developers. Moreover, its functionality is sufficient for the needs of texturing and drawing. 
Pixia- a unique program for drawing on a computer. It was not created for simple graphics editing. Her initial task is to create anime. For this purpose, the catalog of tools contains all the necessary brushes and selected palettes.
Despite the fact that the program has been officially translated only into Japanese, its users have created a number of localizations, including Russian. This, combined with a simple and intuitive interface, reduces the barrier to entry into the program. Anyone who has at least a rudimentary artistic talent can try their hand at drawing cartoons and comics using Pixia.
What’s especially interesting is that the program supports many graphics formats, including proprietary .psd and proprietary .pxa. This feature allows you to use layouts made in Photoshop. 
Inkscape- an excellent vector graphics editor that supports the Russian language, which you can download for free. You can use it to create diagrams and drawings, web graphics and real works of art. The closest analogue of this program is Adobe Illustrator, which is distributed for a fee. At the same time, their functionality is approximately the same.
Inkscape, unlike other free applications, is competitive. Using it, you can create works of any level of complexity, save them in any vector and raster formats.
It's worth noting that drawing in Inkscape is very different from classic drawing. All images consist of a number of template elements - straight, curved lines, circles and other geometric shapes. This approach to drawing makes it possible to ensure that even a fragment magnified a thousand times will not blur, turning into a set of huge pixels. 
This is a simple drawing app that works directly from the browser. It allows you to create simple, but quite beautiful drawings. To do this, it has a palette, a set of different brushes and a number of settings, such as transparency, line thickness, and so on.
It is almost impossible to use Yandex.Paints in the professional sphere, except perhaps to create some unusual, stylized graphics. However, for entertainment this flash program is perfect. You can spend several hours in it creating a fun drawing.
Due to the fact that this program supports animation, it has “blinking” brushes. The most popular of them is the “heart brush”. If you draw a line to it, you will see that it consists of small animated figures. This opens up real scope for creativity. The program can be in Russian or in a number of foreign languages. 
Artweaver- a very versatile program. You can do almost everything related to graphics in it. Convenient tools for cropping, filling images, working with layers and gradients will help you process existing images, and advanced brushes will be a real discovery for those who love to draw.
In addition to standard pencils and digital brushes, the program contains a set of artistic ones. They display not only the color, but also the texture of the paint. Working with such a tool, you can adjust the amount of virtual paint and its humidity to achieve the most accurate effect.
The program is good not only because of its Russified interface, which is very similar to Adobe Photoshop, but also because of its wide range of additional functions. For example, Artweaver can reproduce user actions automatically (to create training videos), and work on an image as a team using cloud storage. 
Paid programs (Demo version)
The most popular program in Russian, which is intended exclusively for drawing. It is impossible to process existing graphics, but it has everything you need to create it. Those who purchase the program get access to a huge selection of brushes, customizable according to a number of parameters, a palette consisting not only of colors, but also of different types of paints.
This creative studio is suitable for those who prefer “virtual oil” drawings, because the display effects are amazing - they are made of incredibly high quality. Having made a stroke, you will be able to appreciate the small stripes on it from the bristles of the brush. This allows painters to create not simple drawings, but entire masterpieces.
ArtRage is a great choice for those who want to learn how to draw in real life rather than digitally without spending huge sums on supplies. By connecting the program to a graphics tablet, you will get a magnificent canvas, with enormous functionality and a ton of settings. 
