The world has rapidly shifted towards becoming more and more digital over the past several decades. So, why shouldn’t artists and illustrators do the same? Tech-minded creatives are taking advantage of the many options available to them to move past the limitations of paper and pen. Innovations in technology now offer drawing apps, special effects, the ability to make 3D models, create vectors or raster images, and much more.
Let’s look at some of the best apps for artists and illustrators currently available.
Table of Contents
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is the standard for vector art in the same way Photoshop is the go-to for raster pictures. Illustrator can be used for everything from basic graphic design tasks such as creating a logo to more advanced and elaborate tasks including creating landscapes and portrait photos.
In time – and with a bit of patience and practice – you can make anything into a vector with Illustrator.
Inspire Pro
For all the painters out there, Inspire Pro allows you to turn your IPad into the ultimate canvas. You can put anything into the program, from your easy painting ideas to more complicated pieces. Inspire is a simple raster drawing app capable of producing fantastic results due to its true-to-life brushes and massive canvas size.
Procreate
For the uninitiated, Procreate can be daunting at first glance. There are many skilled artists and creators on the Community Page who offer advice and tutorials for beginners and more advanced digital artists alike. This can help you in creating stunning and unique artwork on this impressive platform.
Concepts
Concepts is like a pocketbook gone digital. It uses vector drawings to store ideas. From jotting down ideas, to “exploring happy accidents,” to rendering colorful illustrations and sharing them with the built-in presentation mode, Concepts is a truly impressive offering.
Assembly
Assembly is described as a “mobile vector design tool.” It comes jam-packed with all the tools, bells and whistles a designer or illustrator could need. The clean and intuitive design of the canvas gives the artists more space to create and do what they do best.
The app has a growing community of creatives offering tutorials and tips to help get you started. It works on the iPhone and Ipad and can switch between the two devices.
Autodesk Sketchbook
Autodesk Sketchbook is the perfect application to use if technical drawings and fine details are the order of the day. It has scanning capabilities to take your drawings into the digital age and expand their potential and reach. Many architects, industrial designers, and people in similar lines of work have already integrated this tool into their workflow to quickly bring their drawings to life.
The Bottom Line
The digital age has radically changed how life is conducted on just about every front. Businesses, financial institutions, educational institutions, the music industry; you name it, and the digital age has fundamentally altered how they function.
The art world is no different. There’s no reason why artists, illustrators, and designers shouldn’t take advantage of the technological advances of recent years to expand their creative capacities and outputs. If you’re an artist or illustrator, step into the modern world of art and try some of the apps listed here for your next project.
