Are you looking for the perfect drawing software for your digital art projects? These apps are available in French, making them easier to use for French speakers.
Whether you're a pro illustrator, art student, or a digital painting enthusiast, this list of the top 12 free and paid drawing software will guide you. With customizable brushes, graphics tablet compatibility, and options for all skill levels, these illustration apps cater to all needs.
Drawing Software Comparison
Software
Price
Free/Paid
Rating
Krita
0 €
Free
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
GIMP
0 €
Free
★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Inkscape
0 €
Free
★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
SketchBook
0 €
Free
★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
MediBang Paint
0 € (in-app purchases)
Free
★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
Artweaver
0 € (Plus: 47 €)
Free/Paid
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5)
Paint Tool SAI
≈ 45 € (one-time license)
Paid
★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Clip Studio Paint
49.99 € (license) • subscription possible
Paid
★★★★☆ (4.6/5)
Affinity Designer
69.99 € (one-time license)
Paid
★★★★☆ (4.7/5)
Procreate
14.99 € (one-time license)
Paid (iPad)
★★★★★ (4.9/5)
Adobe Photoshop
23.99 €/month
Paid
★★★★☆ (4.8/5)
Adobe Illustrator
23.99 €/month
Paid
★★★★☆ (4.7/5)
Adobe Fresco
Free or 11.99 €/month
Free/Paid
★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
Top 12 Drawing Software to Unleash Your Creativity
1. Krita: Free Drawing Software for Artists
Krita is a popular free drawing app known for its realistic brushes and intuitive interface. Perfect for digital painting and animation, it appeals to both beginners and pros.
Who is it for? Artists on a budget and animators.
Price: Free.
Key Features: Resource library, comic creation, export in PSD format.
Pros:
Completely free with an active support community.
Customizable brushes for a natural look.
Tablet compatible for smooth drawing.
Available in French, making it easier for French speakers.
Cons:
Less suited for vector drawing.
Can be slow on older PCs.
Krita is a gem for artists seeking a powerful free tool, rivaling paid software for digital painting. Its interface might intimidate newbies, and it lacks vector features, but its community and updates make it a reliable choice.
2. Adobe Photoshop: The Leader in Digital Drawing
Adobe Photoshop is the go-to for photo editing and digital drawing in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, with advanced image editing tools and Adobe software synergy. Another app from the Adobe suite, Adobe Fresco, is perfect for digital drawing and painting, offering a realistic illustration creation experience with expressive and innovative tools.
Who is it for? Experienced illustrators and designers.
Photoshop is a must-have for pros due to its versatility and advanced tools, but its price and complexity might deter hobbyists. It excels in mixed projects (drawing and photo), but open-source alternatives like GIMP are sufficient for simpler needs.
3. SketchBook: Simplicity for Beginners
SketchBook (Autodesk) is a free drawing app with a clear interface and customizable brushes, ideal for mobile artists and beginners.
Who is it for? Everyone: Beginners and pros seeking a simple tool.
Price: Free.
Key Features: Easy image export, cross-platform software, tablet compatible and various devices.
Pros:
Free and lightweight, perfect for small setups.
Intuitive interface for quick start and easy handling.
Excellent with graphics tablets.
Cons:
Fewer advanced features than Photoshop.
Not ideal for animation or vector drawing.
SketchBook is a great entry point for beginners due to its simplicity and free access, but its limited features make it less suitable for complex projects. Its tablet compatibility makes it a solid choice for drawing on the go.
4. MediBang Paint: Manga Specialist
MediBang Paint is a free drawing app focused on comic creation and digital drawing, with online collaboration tools and cloud features.
Who is it for? Manga fans and collaborative artists. BA- Price: Free (optional in-app purchases).
Key Features: Resource library, tablet compatible, logo creation.
Pros:
Free with specific tools for comics.
Online collaboration for team projects.
Cloud features for easy saving.
Available in French, making it easier for French speakers.
Cons:
Sometimes cluttered interface.
In-app purchases for premium features.
MediBang Paint is perfect for manga creators and teams thanks to its collaborative tools, but its interface can confuse newbies. Free, it offers a good balance, but paid options might frustrate for full use.
5. GIMP: Free Photoshop Alternative
GIMP is a versatile free drawing app for photo editing and illustration, supported by an active support community.
Who is it for? Budget-conscious artists with experience.
Available in French, making it easier for French speakers.
Cons:
Less intuitive interface.
Less suited for animation or vector drawing.
GIMP is a robust alternative to Photoshop for budget-conscious artists, but its dated interface requires some adaptation. It suits varied projects (illustration, photo), but lacks fluidity for specialized tasks like animation.
6. Inkscape: Vector Drawing Expert
Inkscape is a free vector software, perfect for logo creation and vector illustrations, with an intuitive interface for designers.
Who is it for? Vector designers and illustrators.
Price: Free.
Key Features: Vector drawing, high software performance, cross-platform software. Inkscape is also ideal for logo design and vector illustrations.
Pros:
Free and powerful for vector drawing.
Active support community.
Compatible with graphics tablets.
Cons:
Less suited for digital painting.
Learning curve for vector work.
Inkscape is a must-have choice for free vector drawing, ideal for logos or scalable graphics. Its interface requires learning, and it's not designed for digital painting, limiting its use for some artists.
7. Affinity Designer: Pro and Affordable
Affinity Designer is an affordable paid drawing app, rivaling Illustrator for vector drawing and digital painting.
Who is it for? Pro artists without an Adobe budget.
Price: 69.99 € (one-time purchase).
Key Features: Realistic brushes, OS compatibility (Windows, macOS, iPad), digital art creation, ideal for graphic design and illustration creation.
Pros:
One-time purchase, economical long-term.
Versatile for vector and digital painting.
Intuitive and fast interface.
Cons:
No cloud features like Adobe.
Fewer tutorials than Photoshop.
Affinity Designer offers great value for pros, with versatile tools for vector and illustration. Its one-time purchase is appealing, but the lack of cloud and community resources may limit users accustomed to Adobe.
8. Artweaver: Compact and Accessible
Artweaver is a free drawing software (paid version available) focused on digital painting, with a clear interface for beginners.
Intuitive interface for novices, offering easy handling.
Tablet compatible for simple drawing.
Cons:
Limited features in the free version.
Less powerful than Krita or Photoshop.
Artweaver is a decent option for beginners due to its simplicity, but its limited free features make it less competitive compared to Krita. It suits light projects, but pros will seek more robust tools.
9. Procreate: Mobile Drawing on iPad
Procreate is a paid drawing software exclusive to iOS, loved for its tablet compatibility and customizable brushes, perfect for mobile artists.
Who is it for? iPad users and pro illustrators.
Price: 14.99 € (one-time purchase).
Key Features: Animation, digital art creation, clear interface. Compatible with various iOS devices, including iPads and iPhones.
Pros:
Affordable price for a pro tool.
Realistic brushes with Apple Pencil.
Ideal for digital drawing on the go.
Cons:
Exclusive to iOS, not for Windows/Android.
Less suited for vector drawing.
Procreate is a must for iPad users, offering a smooth and pro drawing experience at a low price. Its iOS exclusivity limits accessibility, and it lacks vector features, but it excels in digital painting.
10. Clip Studio Paint: All-in-One for Comics and Animation
Clip Studio Paint is a paid drawing software specialized in illustration, comic creation, and animation, with an extensive resource library.
Who is it for? Pro illustrators and manga creators.
Price: Starting at 49.99 € (one-time purchase) or subscription.
Key Features: Online collaboration, realistic brushes, image export. Ideal for comic and animation design.
Pros:
Perfect for Comics and animation.
Customizable brushes and support community.
Tablet compatible for precision.
Cons:
Dense interface for newbies.
Less intuitive mobile version.
Clip Studio Paint is a top choice for manga creators and animators thanks to its specialized tools. Its interface might intimidate beginners, but its value for money and versatility make it a strong competitor to Photoshop.
11. Paint Tool SAI: Simplicity for Digital Painting
Paint Tool SAI is a lightweight paid drawing software, appreciated for its simplicity and realistic brushes, a favorite for digital painting.
Who is it for? Illustrators seeking a lightweight tool.
Intuitive interface and fast software performance, offering easy handling.
Realistic brushes for smooth rendering.
One-time purchase, economical.
Cons:
No cloud features or online collaboration.
Less versatile for photo editing or animation.
Paint Tool SAI is ideal for artists focused on digital painting due to its lightness and ease of use. It lacks advanced features like animation or cloud, limiting it for complex projects, but its one-time price is a plus.
12. Adobe Illustrator: Vector Drawing Reference
Adobe Illustrator is the leading vector software for logo creation, vector illustrations, and graphic design, favored by pros.
Who is it for? Professional designers and illustrators.
Price: Starting at 23.99 €/month.
Key Features: Vector drawing, cloud features, Adobe software synergy. Adobe Illustrator is ideal for logo design and vector illustrations.
Pros:
Leader in vector drawing and logo creation.
Advanced tools and tablet compatibility.
Abundant resources and tutorials.
Cons:
Expensive subscription.
Complex for beginners.
Illustrator is the reference for vector drawing, offering unmatched tools for pro designers. Its high cost and complexity may discourage amateurs, but its synergy with Adobe and power make it a worthwhile investment for graphic projects.
14. Adobe Fresco: Digital Painting for Tablets
Adobe Fresco is a drawing software focused on digital painting, with a limited free version and a paid version, designed for tablets (iOS, Windows) and featuring realistic brushes.
Who is it for? Mobile artists and tablet users.
Price: Free (limited version) or 11.99 €/month (premium).
Key Features: Customizable brushes, tablet compatible, cloud features with Adobe.
Pros:
Realistic brushes simulating watercolor and oil.
Synergy with Photoshop and Illustrator via cloud.
Free version to start.
Cons:
Very limited free version.
Costly premium subscription for all features.
Adobe Fresco excels in digital painting
Key Features to Look For
For top-notch drawing software, here's what to check:
Customizable brushes and realistic brushes for a natural look.
Tablet compatibility for precise drawing. It's also crucial that the software is compatible with various devices like iOS and Android devices for maximum flexibility.
Image export in PSD format or others for flexibility.
Resource library (textures, templates) to save time.
Intuitive interface and smooth software performance. Specific features like inking and lettering can greatly enhance the user experience and artistic creation.
Using Software with a Graphics Tablet
To get the most out of your graphics tablet:
Install drivers: Ensure your tablet (Wacom, Huion, etc.) is recognized by the software. Also check compatibility with various devices like tablets and smartphones for maximum flexibility.
Configure brushes: Adjust pressure sensitivity in Krita or Photoshop for realistic strokes. Take advantage of specific features like inking and lettering to enrich your drawing experience.
Explore shortcuts: Customize keys to speed up your workflow.
Practice: Follow tutorials (links above) to master the tools.
With Procreate on iPad, use the Apple Pencil for smooth and precise vector drawings.
How to Choose the Right Drawing Software?
Choosing a drawing software depends on your skills, needs, and budget:
Beginners: Go for Krita or SketchBook (free, intuitive interfaces).
Pros: Photoshop, Affinity Designer, or Clip Studio Paint for advanced tools.
Manga/Comics: MediBang Paint or Clip Studio Paint for their specific tools.
Vector: Inkscape or Affinity Designer for logo creations.
Tablet: Procreate (iPad) or Krita for synergy with graphics tablets.
Each software offers different plans, including subscriptions and bundles, allowing you to choose the best plan for your needs.
Tip: Check OS compatibility (Windows, macOS, iOS) and try free versions before buying.
Payment options usually include credit card and PayPal, ensuring a secure transaction on the software's official site.
What is Drawing Software?
A drawing application is a computer program that can help you create and visualize artwork on a computer.
Like video tools, they can be simple or very advanced. The design plays a crucial role in choosing drawing software, as it determines how easily and effectively you can create artwork. Paint is probably the first drawing software most of us got acquainted with.
However, today there are much more powerful tools available on the market. Most of them are highly customizable, considering the wide range and variety of their uses. Specific features like inking and lettering are often highlighted to enhance the user experience. Simply put, drawing software allows you to bring your ideas to life digitally using a screen, keyboard, and mouse. The added advantage is that these tools let you draw, erase, and redraw with just a click, unlike traditional art.
Great examples of these tools include AutoCAD and QCAD, both widely used for civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering creations. Besides engineers and students, these tools are widely used by professionals in creative fields and fine arts, tattoo art, T-shirt design, as a hobby, and more.
Why Embrace Drawing Software?
With these drawing software, you can unleash your creative potential, whether it's for illustration, digital painting, or logo creation.
Free options like Krita or Inkscape are perfect for beginners, while Photoshop or Procreate offer advanced tools for the pros. The importance of design in choosing drawing software should not be underestimated, as it makes graphic creation easier. Thanks to tablet compatibility and support communities, you'll never be alone. So, pick your creation tool, follow the tutorials, and dive into digital art!
Paid options like Photoshop or Procreate offer specific features such as inking and lettering, which greatly enhance the user experience and artistic creation.
Conclusion
Ultimately, we all have different needs and budgets when it comes to software. So, it's safe to say that your choice of drawing software will vary from others.
In summary, if you're on a tight budget, you might opt for an option like Adobe Spark or MyPaint.
If you want a comprehensive tool for animation and graphic creation, Adobe Photoshop is a great option.
Moreover, if you want extensive customization with a range of brush and color options, you can choose Krita. And for vector graphics, Corel Painter from CorelDRAW is an excellent choice.
Make sure to carefully assess your goals, requirements, and budget before making your final decision.
Further recommended reading: Want to excel not only in drawing software but also in other types of editing? Here's my list of the best photo editing software and video editing software of the moment.
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