# art apps I teach visual design classes at [Lansing Community College](https://www.lcc.edu/academics/art-design-and-media/art-and-design/) and [Michigan State University](https://comartsci.msu.edu/). Many of my classes use [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html) as the foundation for creating digital art. Adobe is expensive, though, especially for students, so I’ve made a (very incomplete) list of alternative options. If you have any solid picks that I may have missed, please send me a note so I can update my list. ## ONLINE - FREE - [Photopea](https://www.photopea.com/) is a browser-based alternative to Photoshop. Fairly robust set of tools. - [Pixlr](https://pixlr.com/) is browser-based with a focus on photo manipulation and some graphic design. - [Sketch.io Sketchbook](https://myd2l.lcc.edu/content/enforced/275076-HSWD090-41793-202410/sketch.io?_&d2lSessionVal=3BGy8RVJciJkerDSrbaubGXU1&ou=275076) is a neat little drawing app with a good set of basic tools. There's an app you can download for $5. - [YouiDraw Painter](https://www.youidraw.com/apps/painter/) has a rudimentary set of drawing tools - [YouiDraw Drawing](https://www.youidraw.com/apps/drawing/) is vector-based and closer to drawing with Adobe Animate --- ## WINDOWS - FREE - [Autodesk Sketchbook](https://www.sketchbook.com/) - great drawing app that works for both windows and mobile devices. Very powerful. - [MediBang Paint](https://medibangpaint.com/en/) - great drawing app that works for both windows and mobile devices. Good for comics. - [Krita](https://krita.org/) is a free drawing and painting app. It is pretty powerful for a free app. - [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/) is an open-source alternative to Photoshop. It is a bit funky to use, but still quite functional. - [Paint.NET](http://www.getpaint.net/index.html) is a free photo app. I haven't used in years, but remember it being decent. ## WINDOWS - PAID - [Affinity Designer](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/) solid vector and painting tools. **My favorite alternative.** Definitely worth the $70. - [Affinity Photo](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/) focuses on photo based work, but has some drawing capabilities. - [Concepts](https://concepts.app/en/) is a sketching app with a solid free version. Subscription at $20 a year. Also has an option to buy the base system and then buy specific features à la carte. - [PaintTool SAI](https://systemax.jp/en/sai/) has a fairly robust set of painting tools. There is a cost, but can be downloaded for free if you look around. - [Paintstorm](https://www.paintstormstudio.com/index.html) is a pretty good drawing program. It is paid, but only $15. - [Clip Studio Paint](https://www.clipstudio.net/en) is a pretty good drawing app. It costs $50 (for desktop & mobile) but can get a three month trial for free. - [ArtRage](https://www.artrage.com/) is a great digital version of traditional drawing materials. The light version is $30 and the full version is $80. - [Rebelle](https://www.escapemotions.com/products/rebelle/about) is also a great digital toolset based on traditional media. There are several versions available with the (solid) basic version at $90. --- ## IPAD/IPHONE - FREE - [Autodesk Sketchbook](https://www.sketchbook.com/) - great drawing app that works for both windows and mobile devices. Very powerful. - [MediBang Paint](https://medibangpaint.com/en/) - great drawing app that works for both windows and mobile devices. Good for comics. - [Photoshop Sketch](https://www.adobe.com/products/sketch.html) - not bad, but not as good as other apps. Give it a shot to see if you like it. ## IPAD/IPHONE - PAID - [Procreate](https://procreate.art/) - really amazing drawing app that is really powerful. $10 to buy, but worth the price. **My favorite app for drawing on iPad.** - [Affinity Designer for iPad](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/ipad/n) - works with the desktop version. Less than $20. I love it! - [Concepts](https://concepts.app/en/) is a sketching app with a solid free version. Subscription at $20 a year. Also has an option to buy the base system and then buy specific features à la carte. - [Clip Studio Paint](https://www.clipstudio.net/en) - pretty good drawing app. It costs $50 (for desktop & mobile) but can get a three month trial for free. --- ## ANDROID - FREE - [Autodesk Sketchbook](https://www.sketchbook.com/) - great drawing app that works for both windows and mobile devices. Very powerful. - [MediBang Paint](https://medibangpaint.com/en/) - great drawing app that works for both windows and mobile devices. Good for comics. --- tags: #design #resources home: [[! graphic design resources]]