Top 10 Drawing Apps to Create and Sell Your Art
whether you're a beginner or a professional. This blog also covers free and affordable options and apps ideal for creating artwork for platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and NFT marketplaces. Artists can find the perfect tool for sketching, illustrating, designing vector art, or managing custom art commissions. Whether you're aiming to sell prints, digital files, or art merchandise, these apps provide the tools you need to succeed in the digital art world.
In the digital era, artists have access to incredible tools that allow them to create stunning artwork from the convenience of their devices. Whether you're a professional artist or an aspiring creative looking to sell your work online, choosing the right drawing app is essential. The right tool can take your art to the next level and open doors to selling prints, digital files, and merchandise. Here, we explore the 10 best drawing apps that will help you create high-quality digital art and turn it into a profitable business.
1. Procreate (iOS)
Procreate is one of the most popular drawing apps available for iPad users, and for good reason. Its intuitive interface, along with powerful features like customizable brushes, advanced layering, and blending modes, make it a favorite among illustrators and painters alike. Procreate allows you to create detailed, high-resolution artwork, perfect for artists looking to sell prints or digital files.
- Best For: Professional illustrators and painters
- Price: One-time purchase of $12.99
2. Adobe Fresco (iOS, Windows)
For artists looking for versatility, Adobe Fresco combines vector and raster brushes, offering the best of both worlds. Its real-time live brushes simulate traditional painting techniques like watercolors and oil paints, making it perfect for those who want to retain a natural feel in their digital work. Integration with Adobe’s Creative Cloud makes it easy to collaborate and transfer files across platforms.
- Best For: Artists who work with both vector and pixel art
- Price: Free version available, with premium features via subscription
3. Clip Studio Paint (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
Clip Studio Paint is a fantastic app for comic book artists, illustrators, and animators. Its advanced brush engine mimics traditional inking and painting techniques, while its vector capabilities allow for scalable art that can be sold as prints or digital downloads. The app also includes powerful tools for paneling and animation, making it ideal for those who work in the storytelling space.
- Best For: Comic and animation artists
- Price: Subscription-based for mobile; one-time purchase for desktop
4. Autodesk SketchBook (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
If you’re looking for a free app with professional-level features, Autodesk SketchBook is an excellent choice. Known for its simplicity and clean interface, it offers a variety of brushes and layers for creating highly detailed illustrations. Since it’s lightweight, it’s perfect for concept artists and illustrators on the go.
- Best For: Concept artists and illustrators
- Price: Free
5. Affinity Designer (iOS, Windows, macOS)
Affinity Designer offers both vector and raster capabilities, making it perfect for creating highly detailed artwork. It’s an affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator and offers professional-grade features like precise vector control and raster editing. This makes it great for creating logos, illustrations, and other artwork that can be sold as prints or digital files.
- Best For: Graphic designers and vector artists
- Price: One-time payment $54.99 (desktop) and $24.99 (mobile)
6. MediBang Paint (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
MediBang Paint is a free, cloud-based drawing app that’s ideal for manga artists and illustrators. It comes with a wide range of brushes, fonts, and pre-made backgrounds, allowing artists to create intricate comic panels and illustrations. Plus, its cloud integration means you can save and access your work on multiple devices.
- Best For: Comic and manga creators
- Price: Free, with in-app purchases
7. Corel Painter (Windows, macOS)
For those who love the texture and feel of traditional media, Corel Painter offers the most realistic simulation of oil paints, watercolors, and pastels. Artists looking to sell fine art prints will appreciate the vast array of brushes that replicate real-world materials. This makes it an excellent choice for those wanting to create lifelike paintings in a digital format.
- Best For: Artists who love traditional painting techniques
- Price: Subscription or one-time purchase
8. ArtRage (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
Similar to Corel Painter, ArtRage focuses on simulating real-world painting tools like oil, acrylics, and watercolors. It’s an affordable option for artists who want to experiment with digital versions of traditional media and sell their work as prints or digital files.
- Best For: Artists who enjoy painting with natural media
- Price: One-time purchase – $4.99 (mobile), $79.90 (desktop)
9. Krita (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting program packed with features for artists on a budget. It supports advanced layer functions, brush stabilization, and customizable brushes, making it a powerful tool for artists who want to create professional-level art without breaking the bank.
- Best For: Beginners and intermediate artists
- Price: Free
10. Inkscape (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Artists can create scalable logos, illustrations, and artwork that’s ideal for print or digital sale. Inkscape’s robust vector tools make it a great option for those looking to produce clean, precise designs for commercial use.
- Best For: Vector artists and graphic designers
- Price: Free
How to Sell Your Digital Art
Once you've created your digital artwork using one of these apps, the next step is selling it. There are several platforms that allow artists to sell prints, digital files, or merchandise featuring their designs. Some popular options include:
Etsy:
Great for selling digital prints or physical copies of your artwork.
Redbubble:
Allows artists to upload designs and sell them on merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.
Society6:
Similar to Redbubble, but with more focus on art prints and home decor items.
DeviantArt:
One of the oldest online art communities, which also offers print-on-demand services and commission options.
Conclusion
Choosing the right drawing app can make all the difference in your digital art journey, especially if you're aiming to turn your passion into profit. From professional-grade apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco to free, open-source alternatives like Krita and Inkscape, there’s a tool for every artist. With the right app, you can not only create stunning digital art but also reach new audiences and grow your business. Whether you’re selling digital downloads, prints, or merchandise, these apps will help you get there.