Drawing on an iPad with a stylus is a technique that allows you to create digital art that resembles traditional painting with ink and paper. In this blog post, I will explain how this technique works, what are the benefits and challenges of using it, and what are some of the best apps and accessories that you can use to create amazing digital artworks on your iPad.
My example of drawings
What is a paintbrush tool and how does it work?
A paintbrush tool is a feature that some drawing apps offer, such as Procreate https://www.imore.com/how-draw-and-write-your-apple-pencil-pro and Adobe Fresco https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/illustration/discover/digital-pens-digital-tools.html. It simulates the look and feel of a real paintbrush, with smooth and flowing strokes, fine and delicate details, and realistic textures and effects. You can adjust the size, opacity, pressure, and angle of the brush to create different styles and expressions.
To use a paintbrush tool, you need a stylus that is compatible with your iPad and the app that you are using. Some of the most popular styluses are the Apple Pencil, the Wacom Bamboo Sketch, and the Adonit Pixel. These styluses have advanced features, such as palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and pressure sensitivity, that allow you to draw more naturally and accurately on your iPad.
To draw with a paintbrush tool, you simply select the brush that you want to use from the app’s menu, and then start drawing on the screen with your stylus. You can also use your fingers to zoom, pan, rotate, and undo your drawing. You can also use layers, masks, filters, and effects to enhance your drawing.
My examples of digital drawing with stylus on iPad
What are the benefits and challenges of drawing on iPad with a stylus and a paintbrush tool?
Drawing on an iPad with a stylus pencil has many benefits, such as:
• You can create digital art that is similar to traditional painting, but with more flexibility and convenience. You can draw anywhere and anytime, without the need for paper, ink, or water. You can also undo, redo, erase, resize, rotate, crop, and transform your drawing with ease. You can also export, share, and print your drawing in different formats and resolutions.
• You can experiment and explore different styles and techniques, without wasting any materials or time. You can try different brushes, colors, and effects, and see how they look on your drawing. You can also mix and match different tools and mediums, such as pencils, pens, markers, watercolors, oils, and more.
• You can learn and improve your skills, by following tutorials, watching videos, and joining online communities. There are many resources and platforms that you can use to learn how to draw with a stylus and a long hair paintbrush tool, such as YouTube, Skillshare, Udemy, and more. You can also get feedback and inspiration from other artists and enthusiasts, by joining forums, groups, and social media, such as Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
Drawing on an iPad with a stylus also has some challenges, such as:
• You may lose some of the tactile and sensory feedback that you get from traditional painting. You may not feel the same connection and satisfaction that you get from touching and manipulating physical materials. You may also miss the unique and unpredictable effects that you get from using ink and water on paper.
• You may face some technical issues, such as battery life, storage space, compatibility, and performance. You may need to charge your iPad and your stylus frequently, or risk losing your work. You may also need to manage your storage space, or risk running out of space. You may also need to check the compatibility and the optimization of your app, your iPad, and your stylus, or risk having glitches and lagging.
• You may need to invest in a good app, a good iPad, and a good stylus, which can be costly. You may need to pay for a premium app, or a subscription service, to access all the features and functions that you need. You may also need to buy a newer iPad model, or a higher-end stylus, to get the best performance and quality that you want.
What are some of the best apps and accessories that you can use to draw on iPad with a stylus and a long hair paintbrush tool?
There are many apps and accessories that you can use to draw on iPad with a stylus and a long hair paintbrush tool, but here are some of the best ones that I recommend:
• Procreate
https://www.imore.com/how-draw-and-write-your-apple-pencil-pro is one of the most popular and powerful drawing apps for iPad. It has a huge collection of brushes, including paintbrushes, that you can customize and create. It also has a user-friendly and intuitive interface, that lets you draw with ease and efficiency. It also supports the Apple Pencil, and works best with the iPad Pro.
• Adobe Fresco
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/illustration/discover/digital-pens-digital-tools.html is another great drawing app for iPad, that focuses on realistic and expressive painting. It has a unique feature called Live Brushes, that simulates the behavior of watercolors and oils on the screen. It also has a seamless integration with other Adobe apps, such as Photoshop and Illustrator. It also supports a variety of styluses, such as the Wacom Bamboo Sketch and the Adonit Pixel.
• Apple Pencil is the best stylus for iPad, especially for drawing with a long hair paintbrush tool. It has a precise and responsive tip, that lets you draw with accuracy and control. It also has a pressure and tilt sensitivity, that lets you draw with different effects and expressions. It also has a palm rejection, that lets you rest your hand on the screen without interfering with your drawing. It also has a wireless charging, that lets you charge it by attaching it to your iPad.
• Paperlike is a screen protector for iPad, that mimics the feel of paper. It has a matte and textured surface, that reduces glare and fingerprints, and adds friction and resistance to your stylus. It also has a high transparency and clarity, that preserves the quality and color of your screen. It also has a easy installation and removal, that leaves no bubbles or residues on your screen.
My conclusion
Drawing on an iPad with a stylus is a technique that can help you create amazing digital artworks that look like traditional paintings. It has many benefits and challenges, and it requires some skills and tools to master it. If you want to learn more about this technique, you can check out some of the web search results that I found for you:
• How to draw digital illustrations with an iPad Pro
https://99designs.com/blog/design-tutorials/digital-illustrations-with-ipad-pro
is a tutorial that guides you through how to draw digital illustrations on your tablet. It covers the basics of using Procreate, such as setting up your canvas, choosing your brushes, sketching, coloring, shading, and adding details. It also shows you some examples of digital illustrations created with Procreate.
• The 5 best iPad drawing apps of 2023
https://procreate.school/blog/ipad-drawing-vs-traditional-drawing-pros-and-cons
is an article that reviews and compares some of the best drawing apps for iPad, such as Procreate, Adobe Fresco, ArtRage and Autodesk Sketchbook. It highlights the pros and cons of each app, as well as the features, functions, and prices. It also gives some tips and advice on how to choose the best app for your needs and preferences.
• [iPad Drawing vs Traditional Drawing: Pros and Cons] is an article that provides a comprehensive comparison between drawing on an iPad and drawing on paper. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each medium, such as the cost, the convenience, the quality, the creativity, and the learning curve. It also gives some recommendations and suggestions on how to improve your skills and enjoy your drawing experience.
