Drawing on paper with a high-quality pencil can be one of the most satisfying experiences for anybody that loves to draw. However, even the most seasoned artists make mistakes, and undoing them isn’t easy when you draw on paper.
Fortunately, technology has evolved to make drawing and undoing mistakes simple. There are several drawing apps that you can use for free that will enable you to quickly navigate your changes and create some of your best work.
But finding a free drawing software that meets your unique drawing needs can be just as challenging as finding a needle in a haystack.
We’ve shortlisted and reviewed the 10 best free drawing apps for students and digital artists below to make your search easier.
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10 Best Free Drawing Apps for Students and Digital Artists
#1 Krita
Krita equips you with all the tools you need to create any kind of illustration. Its panel templates, perspective tools, and halftone filters make the tool especially suitable for artists that want to draw comics or manga.
It comes with a standard assortment of brushes, pens, and fills, with every brush being fully customizable. One of the best things about Krita is that you can right-click anywhere on the canvas to open the selection wheel. It enables you to switch between tools and pick new colors in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, Krita features several tools that make it easy for users to draw lines, shapes, and vanishing points. Features such as layers and masks allow you to create intricate illustrations without hassle.
Krita is undoubtedly one of the best free drawing software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
#2 GIMP
Whether you want to create original artwork or edit images, GIMP won’t disappoint. GIMP boasts a massive array of professional features, such as filters, customizable brushes, layers, and auto image-enhancement tools.
What’s more, the tool supports several plugins that add more functionality to the already feature-loaded drawing app. Features such as layer masks, filters, and the animation package make it one of the best drawing software available.
But the best thing about GIMP is that the interface is customizable, and if you ever need any help using the tool, you can visit the active community of users.
GIMP is known as one of the best free drawing apps across platforms. It is available for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
#3 Artweaver Free
If you’re looking for a tool to make digital drawings, Artweaver is one of the best digital art software you can get your hands on. You can use it with your mouse, stylus, or touchscreen.
The free version of the tool comes with a large array of brushes and tools such as airbrushes and calligraphy pens. Furthermore, the tool is layer-based, enabling you to make nuanced digital art with relative ease.
The intuitive interface makes it simple enough for children to use. With the several brushes and drawing options, you can be as creative as you like and not have to clean up a mess afterward.
If you’re a beginner at digital art or have a child that’s interested in drawing, Artweaver is one of the digital art apps free that you won’t regret installing on your Windows machine.
#4 Microsoft Paint 3D
Paint 3D was developed to replace the classic Microsoft Paint, and while this tool does not offer a large selection of drawing tools, it boasts some features that make it stand out.
Clicking on the “3D Objects” button transforms your drawing into an impressive three-dimensional drawing. The drawing app also allows you to import 3D models.
Paint 3D also allows you to choose a finish for your drawing and change its lighting. But it’s important to note that the tool does not allow you to change the thickness of the 3D effect.
It is one of the best free drawing software for kids that love being creative and experimenting with computer tools.
#5 MyPaint
The limitations of the Wacom tablet’s software inspired artist Martin Renold to create MyPaint. It is one of the free drawing apps that boasts an impressive array of features, including customizable brushes, layer support, and a scratchpad.
Additionally, users can install third-party brush packages and illustrate whatever comes to mind without much hassle. It is designed to work seamlessly with graphics tablets, making it one of the best digital art software out there.
It’s one of the best free drawing apps for artists that want a free feature-loaded tool. That said, it has a steep learning curve and will take time and effort to learn to use. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
#6 Microsoft Fresh Paint
Fresh Paint is designed for experienced artists that need several brushes and tools to create excellent digital art. The tool can simulate watercolors and gouache, among other materials.
What makes it impressive is that the tool enables artists to work on digital art as if it were done on paper. Users can wash their brushes in a cup of water, splatter their brush, and work on canvas as if it had wet paint on it.
Its realistic drawing and painting features make it one of the best digital art software in the market. While experienced artists will benefit most from it, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to a novice.
#7 Inkscape
If you’re looking for drawing apps free that enable you to create vectors, Inkscape may be the best drawing software for you.
It comes with tools such as shapes, paths, markers, and transparency effects, allowing you to draw nuanced pieces. Features such as patterns, gradients, and groups give you all the flexibility you need to be creative.
But it is the node editing, layers, and direct XML editing features that make it one of the best free drawing apps for PC. It is one of the free drawing apps that are also available for macOS and Linux.
#8 FireAlpaca
FireAlpaca is the right free drawing app to use if you’re looking for an app that makes freehand drawing easy. Besides enabling you to draw and shade, it also allows you to cut and paste sections, change colors, and merge layers.
Features such as the brush control feature, color picker, and smudge tool give you the flexibility you need to be creative. It also comes with features such as the magic wand, eyedropper, and airbrush, which you may be familiar with if you’ve used Photoshop.
It is one of the only free online drawing apps that offers perspective overlays that make it simple to create comics and illustrations. If you’re a seasoned artist, FireAlpaca is one of the top free drawing apps for PC that you must try out. It is also available for macOS.
#9 MediBang Paint
MediBang Paint is considered one of the best free drawing apps for iPad for many reasons. It comes with features such as screen tones and frame borders that make it easy to draw comics and manga.
It boasts cloud functions, giving you access to 1000+ screen tones and several fonts. Additionally, registering an account with MediBang enables you to work across operating systems. In other words, you could start a project on your iPad and finish it on the computer version of MediBang.
But bear in mind that you cannot transfer pens and brushes between operating systems. Overall, though, it is one of the best free drawing apps for iPad. It is also available on Android, Windows, and macOS.
#10 PixBuilder Studio
Besides enabling users to do image correction and processing, PixBuilder Studio also offers features that enable working with colors and manipulating layers.
What’s more, the free online drawing apps’ latest version comes with several selection tools such as a magic wand, lasso tool, and transparency mask.
You can also use the free drawing apps’ gradient color transitions, single-column selection, and the rest of the large assortment of tools to make complex and mesmerizing art.
Although it is one for drawing apps free, the interface is impressively intuitive, and the tool supports Photoshop plugins, adding more features to the already feature-rich tool.
Available only for Windows systems, it is undoubtedly one of the top free drawing apps for PC that you should try using.
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Conclusion: Which of the Free Drawing Apps is Right for You?
There is no shortage of excellent free drawing apps online. If you’re looking to create digital art and want to use a tool that functions similar to Photoshop, GIMP may be the right tool for you.
On the other hand, if you want to collaborate with other artists, you may find Artweaver the most useful on this list.
This is not to say that the other free drawing software on this list isn’t worth your time. Glance over our reviews to see if you find other tools with features you like better. All the tools on this list are free, and you can try them out right away.