The best apps for art are the ones that help you get the most out of your smartphone. Apps can make it easier to draw, paint and capture your designs. The best apps are often simple in nature — easy to use and reliable — but more complex apps are available if you need more features or a more robust experience. Here you will find a list of top art apps that should cover all your needs whether you want to sketch on your tablet or edit photos on your phone.
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ANDROID
The 10 Best Drawing and Painting Apps for Android
BY
CHRISTIAN CAWLEY
UPDATED APR 06, 2022
Here are all the best painting apps for Android that let you draw, sketch, and create digital art on your phone or tablet.
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Want to use your Android phone or tablet for digital painting?
The following painting apps for Android are aimed at professionals and amateurs alike. While you don’t need a stylus, it’s recommended if you want to use these apps to their full potential.
Once you have done that, check out the best drawing apps for Android.
Before You Start: Get Ready for Digital Painting and Drawing on Android
Drawing on a tablet is not like working with a pen and paper, and varies considerably from using a paintbrush. Unsurprisingly, using a mouse is also completely different.
Before selecting a digital paint app for Android, you should check:
Does the phone or table have multiple touch point support?
Is it able to detect when your palm is resting on the display?
While most Android painting apps will let you use your fingers, a stylus is a smart option. Some Android tablets ship with a stylus. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 has an S-Pen, a larger version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20’s stylus.
A good all-around option is the KEKOW Active Stylus Pen compatible with all Android phones and tablets.
If your budget is smaller, consider the MEKO Universal Stylus. This uses a disc stylus nib for improved accuracy. While it doesn’t look as impressive as other styli, it is a great entry-level option.
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Once you’re ready to draw, check these best Android drawing apps.
- The Best Drawing and Painting App for Android: ibis Paint X
If you are looking for an application on Android phone that allows you to create digital paintings, ibis Paint X is the place to start.
Featuring stroke stabilization, rulers, and clipping masks, this is a superb tool for artists keen on illustration.
Ibis Paint X features over 300 brushes along with unlimited layers, each with individual parameters. When you’re done, you can share your creations from this Android painting app online with other users.
Two premium options are available: remove ads and a Prime membership. Membership adds advanced features such as new fonts and filters, so it’s worth considering. You should also check out the ibis Paint X YouTube channel for tutorial videos.
Download: ibis Paint X (Free, in-app purchases available)
- Adobe Illustrator Draw
Well-known creative productivity software developer Adobe offers a free sketching app called Adobe Illustrator Draw. This portable version of the popular vector graphics application provides a simple interface, intuitive gesture mechanics, and comprehensive feature list.
With easy-to-use brush tools for vector art-based illustration, resulting images are crisp and clear. For flexible productivity, you can seamlessly transfer sketches or finished products into the main Adobe Illustrator to continue working. From layering to sketching to painting, this Android drawing app has it all.
Download: Adobe Illustrator Draw (Free)
- ArtFlow
With everything ArtFlow has to offer, you won’t believe it’s free. Packing multiple brushes and in-app features available at the click of an icon, Artflow is one of the best Android sketch apps. Use it to just play around, or create serious art.
The free option only allows you to save art as either a JPEG or PNG. The Pro version, however, allow PSD format exports, so you can continue working on your desktop.
Download: ArtFlow (Free, premium version available)
- MediBang Paint
Want to learn how to make digital art on your phone? MediBang Paint is one of the best drawing apps for Android, with a UI that feels familiar thanks to similarity to the Adobe suite.
Because this app is both free and feature-packed, you’ll find plenty of online resources to help you start.
Download: MediBang Paint (Free, in-app purchase available)
- Infinite Painter
Infinite Painter is an instant fan favorite. It’s so simple: all you see by default is a handful of tools (brush, smudge, brush size, color, and brush opacity).
All additional tools are one button away, and Infinite Painter makes great use of that single button. It’s minimal, but packs enough features in its free version to create truly impressive, professional work.
That’s why Infinite Painter is one of the best Android drawing apps.
Download: Infinite Painter (Free, premium version available)
- SketchBook
SketchBook is developed by design software giant Autodesk (creator of AutoCAD, among others). This Android painting app gives you useful tools and features to design whatever your imagination creates.
A one point, Sketchbook was a premium app, but in recent years Autodesk has made the app free. This includes both the desktop and mobile versions of Sketchbook, so you can work using whatever medium suits your expertise.
Download: SketchBook (Free)
- PaperColor
If you want to do digital art on your phone PaperColor gives you everything you need to get started. Instead of a minimal UI, this app lays the pens and brushes out in front of you. It’s as close to an easel and canvas as you can get from an Android paint app.
PaperColor also features a fantastic portfolio display and one of the widest and intuitive brush selections of any drawing app. Purchase the VIP version, and you’ll have access to all the fantastic tools PaperColor has to offer.
Download: PaperColor (Free, premium version available)
- Pixel Studio
Want a painting app on Android that is less high definition? You might be interested in pixel art, which is where Pixel Studio comes in. This is an Android art app that lets you create 8-bit and 16-bit style pixel artwork, from single items to characters, and backgrounds.
Pixel Studio lives up to its name, too. It isn’t just for the creation of static art. Pixel Studio features animation tools, and even the option to add music or sound FX in loops. Animations can be output as GIFs, while static art can be saved in standard formats and exported to other art packages.
Download: Pixel Studio (Free, premium version available)
- Krita
Queen Elizabeth II, in Krita
One of the biggest names in open-source creativity software, Krita is free to use and currently in beta on Android. The first version of Krita was developed for Linux, but it has since been released on Windows, macOS, and Chrome, with Android next on the list.
An app for anyone who wants to develop their digital painting skills, the Android version of Krita is essentially identical to the desktop release. All the same menus are tools are available, in the same locations. This means that Krita is more suited to a stylus or mouse than a finger.
However, Krita can be used to create outstanding digital art.
Download: Krita (Free)
- Da Vinci Eye: AR Art Projector
If your artistic skills aren’t as good as you would like, this is the app you need. Da Vinci Eye: AR Art Projector helps you to “trace” images on your phone to a surface below using augmented reality (AR) technology.
Simply position the phone above your paper, launch the app, select the image, and start drawing, looking at the display as you go. Da Vinci Eye: AR Art Projector will aid your drawing, as you look “through” the source image.
For some, this will be considered a bit of a cheat. Nevertheless, it remains a stunning app that intelligently uses AR for creative purposes.
Download: Da Vinci Eye: AR Art Projector (PAID)
- Bamboo Paper
For a more basic approach to drawing and painting on Android, give Bamboo Paper a try. Developed by Wacom (who know a thing or two about digital art) Bamboo Paper is a lightweight app as suited to taking written notes as it is to digital art.
You can use the app for all manner of design work, and styluses are supported too. With a choice of pens, palettes, and textures available (and more via in-app purchase), Bamboo Paper could be your introduction to digital art on a phone or tablet as it is just so simple to use.
With a Wacom ID you can also unlock the Inkspace sync feature and ensure your sketches and notes are available on any device.
Download: Bamboo Paper (Free, in-app purchases)
A Great Selection of Free and Paid Painting Apps for Android
If you’ve had a hankering for drawing or sketching in the past, now you have no excuse. You can seriously develop your drawing capabilities anywhere you go with these best painting apps for Android.
In summary, the Android painting and drawing apps you should check out are:
Ibis Paint X
Adobe Illustrator Draw
ArtFlow
MediBang Paint
Infinite Painter
Sketchbook
PaperColor
Pixel Studio
Krita
Da Vinci Eye: AR Art Projector
Bamboo Paper
These will all work on Android phones and tablets, although for the best results you should use an Android-compatible stylus. And if you find an Android tablet isn’t suitable for your artistic purposes, consider a dedicated drawing tablet.
We hope you like the items we recommend and discuss! MUO has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. This won’t affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christian Cawley (1599 Articles Published)
Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software support. A contributor to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.
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