Our Guide to The Ultimate Drawing Tools and Drawing Software

So you’re thinking of going digital, but what’s the best drawing tablet for you? And, once you’ve unpacked your shiny new gizmo, what’s the best drawing software to use?

With so many makes and models to choose from, it’s no surprise many artists feel a bit bewildered at first. And there’s also the issue of cost to consider. After all, not everyone is in a position to splurge thousands on a top-of-the-range drawing tablet, right?

But worry no more, fellow creative types! We’ve taken to our Twitter and Facebook pages to ask everyone about their favorite graphics tablets and drawing software. What follows is our ultimate guide to the best drawing tablets and software on the market – as voted for by artists just like you.

You’ll find everything here to get started (whatever your budget), plus recommendations on which tools, software or hardware to look at. So are you ready to buy your first drawing tablet and drawing software? Here we go…

What’s The Best Drawing Tablet For Your Art?

When choosing a graphics tablet, the first decision to make is this:

• Do you want to buy a standalone device that you plug into your PC?
• Or, do you go for a device where you draw directly onto the screen, such as an iPad, Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy, or a Microsoft Surface?

Let’s look at the standalone graphics tablets first in price order…

Best Graphics Tablets Under $100

1. Wacom Intuos Pen and Touch Small Tablet

Previously known as the Bamboo Fun and Touch, this is an ideal drawing tablet for anyone looking for an affordable way to go digital.It’s ideal for drawing and painting and, with the additional purchase of the Wacom Wireless Accessory kit, can be hooked up to your PC or Mac without any pesky cables to get in your way.

But, do you know what’s even cooler?

This nifty little gadget comes with full versions of Autodesk® Sketchbook® Express and ArtRage® 3 Studio, so you can literally be making art right out of the box!2. Huion H610 Pro Graphics Drawing Tablet

With 2048 levels of pen pressure sensitivity, a larger surface area, and a lower price, the Huion H610 Pro offers some serious competition to its Wacom rival.

It’s also got a neat rechargeable pen, which users report has a super-long battery life. There’s no wireless capability, but you might decide this isn’t all that important to you after all.Although it doesn’t come with any free drawing software, it’s compatible with Photoshop and most other popular drawing programs. And, according to reviews on this product’s Amazon page, using the surface and pen make you feel as if you’re drawing on ‘lightly buttered glass’!

With glowing reviews like this, we’d say this drawing tablet is certainly worth a look.3. M708-Ugee-Drawing-Graphics-Tablet

Another well-priced contender for the Wacom crown, this drawing tablet also works fine on PC or Mac and is compatible with all the most popular drawing programs.It comes bundled with what one reviewer describes as a ‘surprisingly good sketching program’, and also some spare nibs for when yours eventually wears out – these are stored in a handy compartment in the bottom of the pen holder supplied with this tablet.

So Which of These Graphics Tablets Should You Buy?

We know what you’re saying at this stage: ‘Aargh! There’s still too much choice here for me and I can’t decide!’ Well, to help you make your purchase, here’s what some of our followers on Twitter had to say when we asked them about their favorite drawing tablet and drawing software:

Richard Warner (@Iron_Vein) is a metal sculptor based in Wales, UK. When he’s not creating cool stuff for people’s gardens and nature parks, he loves to learn digital art on his trusty Wacom Intuos 2. Although this model has been discontinued, you can still pick them up on Ebay for a steal.

MoKe (@moke_rs) is a young artist from Brazil. He’d love a Cintiq (we’ll come to this later), but is pretty happy with his Bamboo Pen and Touch (now called Intuos) for now.

Roo (@SketchesbyRoo) is an artist and illustrator from Ohio, USA. Like MoKe, she’d love to get her hands on a Cintiq one day, but loves using her Bamboo Capture Pen and Touch for now. She’s also pretty happy with her Microsoft Surface (more on this shortly).

Best Graphics Tablets Over $100

If you fancy going upmarket or just want to upgrade your existing drawing tablet, there are several awesome products to consider.1. Wacom Intuos Pro

With 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity in the pen and tablet tilt-recognition, this neat graphics tablet is described as meeting ‘the exacting standards of creative professionals’.It comes in three sizes – small, medium, and large, and there’s also a swish-looking special edition in silver if you want to bring some bling to your drawing experience!

You won’t have to worry about cables with this lil’ beauty – the Wacom Wireless Accessory kit comes included as standard.2. Huion 21.5 Inches HD Resolution Graphics Tablet – GT-220

Coming in at around $817, this Huion tablet may be less well-known than its rival, the Wacom Cintiq, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t packed with ultra-epic features.For starters, there’s a stunning HD 21.5 inch display to work on and 2,048 levels of pen pressure sensitivity. Being glass, the screen is incredibly smooth to draw on, and this graphics tablet works fine with just about any software you can throw at it.

Most users agree it’s not quite as good as the Cintiq, but with a price difference of around $1000, you might be more than happy to put up with any minor shortcomings.3. Wacom Cintiq

Ah, the Wacom Cintiq – the object of desire for many a digital artist. But is it really worth the hefty price tag? With the smallest model, the 13HD, setting you back around $996, and the largest, the 27QHD costing a cool £2,889, it’s no wonder many artists wait until there’s plenty of freelance cash rolling in before deciding to upgrade.

But what an upgrade it is. With 2048 levels of pen pressure sensitivity, tilt sensitivity, a three-position display stand and a wide range of fully customizable ExpressKeys (including a Remote Touch Ring) to access all your favorite shortcuts in just one click, it’s no wonder the mere mention of a Cintiq causes digital artists all over the world to say ‘Squeeee!’

It’s probably fair to say the Cintiq is the industry standard for most professional digital artists, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a completely flawless art experience. Some users report issues with the Cintiq’s ExpressKey Remote Touch Ring not working, while others say Wacom customer support can be almost unreachable unless you take to Twitter to complain.

However, despite these gripes, most users say the look and feel of a Cintiq is simply way better than any other drawing tablet you can buy.

Is The Cintiq The Right Drawing Tablet For You?

So, in the end, it boils down to economics. The Cintiq may take the crown for being the ultimate drawing tablet of choice for many artists, but it’s really a question of whether you have the money, or actually want to invest so much of it in a top-of-the-range piece of drawing heaven.

Our advice? If you’re just starting out, or if you’re an intermediate artist, you’ll be just fine with one of the graphics tablets under $100. Remember, all the technology and/or money in the world won’t make you a better artist – only practice can do that.

However, if you decide to upgrade a few years down the line and want a piece of kit that truly matches all your expertise, then it looks like the Cintiq really is the artist’s ultimate drawing tablet of choice.

What’s the Best Drawing Software For Artists?

Whichever drawing tablet you buy, you’re going to need some good art software to help you make the most of your creativity. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular programs:

1. Adobe Photoshop

Since its launch in 1988, Photoshop has grown to become pretty much the industry standard for artists everywhere. All the artists on Pencil Kings use it, and it’s pretty easy to see why. It’s packed with just about any feature you could possibly wish for, and a truckload of other features you probably never knew existed! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Photoshop by Sycra Yasin to give you an idea of the endless possibilities available to you as an artist.  Check SoftwareHow for a more in-depth review of Photoshop.

2. Manga Studio 5 

Described as ‘the standard in Manga and comic illustration’, Manga Studio 5 is a great alternative to Photoshop – particularly if you don’t fancy signing up to Adobe’s monthly subscription.

Check out this video of Manga Studio 5 in action – impressive, huh?

3. Corel Painter 2015

Corel painter is probably as close as you can get to the look and feel of traditional artists’ materials when drawing or painting digitally. Although it doesn’t have the same kudos as its rival, Photoshop, this software is definitely worth a look if you’re a traditional artist looking to swap paintbrushes for pixels. Oh, and it’s also much less expensive.

Choose from a limitless range of mediums, such as oils or watercolors, and then mix your colors pretty much as you would do on a traditional palette. Check out this video of Painter 2015 in action and see what you think:

Money’s Tight. What’s the Best Free Drawing Software?

If you don’t want to (or can’t) part with your money right now, there are some pretty good free drawing software alternatives available. You might like to check these out:

• Gimp This open-source alternative to Photoshop has been around for a few years now, and comes with a wide range of tools and features to get you started. It also supports a wide range of formats, such as .jpg, .png, .psd, and .gif.
• Inkscape If vector graphics are your thing, then you should definitely give this open-source software a try. There’s a whole bunch of drawing and coloring tools to choose from, and some neat features such as a spray tool which allows you to quickly and easily spray several items at the same time.
• Krita Now this free software for artists and illustrators looks really interesting. It’s got a great-looking interface, a superb range of brushes, filters, and plenty of other cool tools. Need more recommendations? Krita received the Imagine FX ‘Artist Choice’ award in January 2015 – we’d say that’s high praise indeed!
• Demo Versions of Paid Software Most of the major paid software packages have demo versions which are free to download. Check out the main pages of each one for more info.

Best All-in-one Tablets for Drawing

So we’ve looked at standalone graphics tablets, but what about if you want a device that’ll let you surf the web, send emails, and allow to capture your ideas when inspiration strikes?

Welcome to the world of iPads, Android tablets, and the Microsoft Surface. All these neat gadgets are ultra-portable, relatively inexpensive, and easy to use. The question is, which one should you go for?1. Apple iPad Air 2

With its 9.7 inch display, ultra-slim looks and immense processing power, this latest release (April 2015) from Apple is certainly a tablet to be reckoned with. And, since it claims to have the ‘least reflective display of any tablet in the world’, its easy to see why so many artists have made it their portable electronic sketchbook of choice.

But which are the best art apps to use with your iPad? Here are some of the most popular:

1: Procreate 2

Developed by Savage Interactive, this app helps you create stunning drawings and paintings thanks to powerful features such as accelerated filters and 4K canvases. It’s the app of choice for many digital artists, such as Goro Fujita, who’s used it to create some epic animations and paintings such as this one:

2. Adobe Photoshop Touch

Although you can download Photoshop Elements Express for free, you might want to check out the extra creative power on hand in this intuitive app.

If you’re already familiar with the full Photoshop package, you’ll instantly recognize the Toolbar, and this app’s super-smooth interface should have you creating using your fingertips in no time at all. There’s full support for the iCloud photostream and some neat features which allow you to share your awesome art on social media with just a few swipes.

3. Autodesk Sketchbook Pro

With pressure-sensitive controls and a vast range of professional quality brushes and pencils, it’s easy to see why this app remains a firm favorite among many artists.

Just like in Photoshop, you can work in layers to build up your drawings and paintings, while there’s even the option of exporting your work as a layered Photoshop file if you want to transfer your art to your desktop.

4. ArtRage

Put simply, ArtRage is just about the most fun you can have while painting…without getting a single splash of paint on your sneakers!

Choose from an endless array of brushes and drawing tools, and lose yourself in this app’s incredibly powerful blending options, where you get to mix oils or watercolors on the digital canvas just as you would in real life.

With all these ‘traditional’art features so cleverly transposed to digital, we reckon ArtRage is a great choice for anyone who loves the feel and looks of real paint and other art materials.

There should be plenty to whet your creative appetites here, but if you want to take your art studies further, there are also some great human anatomy apps available, such as L’Ecorché, MARA3D, and Muscle Premium.2. Google Nexus 9, Google Nexus 7, Asus Memo Pad, Sony Xperia Z2

Prefer Android over Apple? Not a problem! As you’d expect, there is a huge range to choose from, but the models we’ve listed here are the ones that have scored highest in consumer tests.They’re all pretty darned speedy, and will run any art apps with ease, such as:

• Sketchbook Pro
• Fresco Paint Pro
• Paperless

Here’s a video showing Fresco Paint Pro in action – we think it looks pretty epic!

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 3

It’s been touted as the ‘tablet that could replace your laptop’, but is the Microsoft Surface really the all-singing, all-dancing device that could be the answer to all your creative needs?Well, most reviewers seem to think it’s doing a pretty good job so far. Having been billed as a rival to the iPad Air, the Surface Pro 3 has a whole bunch of features, such as a 12 inch display, a much-improved keyboard (previous models were somewhat lacking in this respect), and a new stylus which tracks your movements on the screen more accurately than ever before.

There are five versions of this stylish tablet to choose from, depending on what spec you require, with the 64GB Intel Core-i3 retailing at $799, the 128GB Core-i5 at $999, the 256GB  Core-i5 at $1,299, the 256GB Core-i7 at $1,549, and finally, the whopping 512GB Core-i7 at a cool $1,949.

If cost is a factor, it may be worth considering a previous model, such as the Surface Pro 2. While this won’t necessarily have all of these shiny new features, it’ll certainly be more than capable of delivering the goods.

Mitch Bowler, who you’ll recognize as the man behind Pencil Kings, decided to buy a Surface Pro 2. So far, he’s pretty happy with his purchase, saying: “The battery life is good, but it’s not great. Then there’s also only one USB port, which can be a problem. Overall, though, I love this computer, and I’m pretty sure most people will find it does everything they need.”

So there’s the verdict. If you don’t fancy shelling out your hard-earned cash on the Pro 3, you’ll probably find the Pro 2 will do the job almost as well. Alternatively, if you want to get your hands on the latest model to hit the shelves, you might want to wait for the Surface Pro 4. It’s scheduled for launch any time between March and October 2015.

Choosing the Right Stylus for Your iPad or Android Tablet

Once you’ve decided upon your Apple or Android tablet, you’re going to need a good stylus to draw or paint with. And, for this part of our ultimate guide to drawing tablets and drawing software, we’re going to hand over to Roger, a Pencil Kings member, who says:

“I had issues on getting the perfect stylus for my hand. Every one I’ve bought didn’t seem to work out. The Jot touch Evernote kept on losing Bluetooth connection and even Wacom’s didn’t manage to do the trick.

I have, like, six styluses and only two of them were cheap. But I found the one that is better than the rest a few months back and I recommend it because it’s so cheap and the guys there are awesome.

It’s the best stylus on the market. It is the only one I managed to do straight lines and although you haven’t got pressure sensitivity or any electronics on this one, what impresses me is that its weight and the stronger than normal nib are simply the facts that make the difference between this and other styluses.”

The name of this stylus? It’s called the Maglus, it works on iPad and most Android tablets, and you can find it right here

So there it is – our ultimate guide to drawing tablets and drawing software. If you enjoyed reading this post, why not let your friends know about it? You can click to tweet it right here.

We’ve tried to cover just about everything we think you guys could need, but we’d love to hear from you if you think we’ve left anything out.

Perhaps there’s an awesome tablet we haven’t listed, or an epic piece of free drawing software we haven’t covered? Just drop us a comment in the box below and help share the love of art!