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The 8 Best Software for Digital Illustrators

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The 8 Best Software for Digital Illustrators

By Electra Nanou

Published 19 hours ago

Every digital illustrator needs reliable software that can carry them through the creative process. Here, we discuss some of the best.

To succeed as a digital illustrator, you need professional tools beyond paper, pencil, and paint. There are various useful pieces of tech, but the most important is the software you use to create your art.

Here, we discuss the eight best software for digital illustrators that provide the necessary tools to make the most of each project. Even though they’re different in performance and range of features, you're bound to find one that suits your style workflow.

1. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop Drawing Tools Introduction

As one of the go-to programs for digital art, Photoshop also offers high-end drawing tools. You have dozens of brushes at your disposal and they come in various styles and thicknesses, so you can doodle, paint, or even work on your calligraphy.

No matter how unique your illustrations, Adobe’s software can accommodate your style. Plus, additional features such as the Creative Cloud libraries make it easy to jump from one device to another and keep drawing.

Photoshop has a free trial available, so you can test the full scope of its artistic capabilities before settling on it as your favorite program for digital illustration.

You can also look forward to Adobe bringing Photoshop to the web. This means easier accessibility and collaboration without even launching the desktop app.

Download: Photoshop (From $20.99 per month; free trial available)

2. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator Drawing and Design Tools Introduction

While Photoshop is great for a range of artistic projects, Illustrator is specifically for vector graphics. It includes drawing tools such as brushes, coloring features, filters, and 3D effects, to name a few.

You have everything you need for your digital art, whether it’s a simple logo or the background illustrations for a whole website. And the sharing and collaboration tools will come in very handy.

Keep in mind that Illustrator’s interface is no less elaborate than Photoshop’s. If you’re new to the program, or digital illustration as a whole, you’ll need to explore and practice quite a bit.

If needed, there are always browser-based Adobe Illustrator alternatives available—it’s smart to have several online resources up your sleeve.

Download: Illustrator (From $20.99 per month; free trial available)

3. Corel Painter

Adobe is a strong candidate for digital artists, but Corel is just as powerful, if not more so. Its focus on delivering a smooth and professional experience is clear in the range and efficiency of its drawing tools.

Painter’s price is steep once your free trial ends, but this investment means you probably won’t need any other program. That said, it’s compatible with popular software such as Photoshop, and multiple operating systems and devices.

Everything on Corel Painter is bound to impress you, from the fluidity and texture of the virtual paint to the number of features ready and waiting to accommodate any design and workflow.

Download: Painter 2022 (From $19.99 per month; free trial available)

4. Rebelle 4

Escape Motions Rebelle 4 Range of Drawing Tools

If you don’t want to spend a fortune but still need good drawing tools for digital illustrations, Rebelle 4 by Escape Motions might be perfect for you.

You get a great toolkit, complete with elaborate brushes and painting features. You can sketch, blend, layer, and even tilt your canvas to let the colors flow.

In terms of user-friendliness and performance, Rebelle 4 has it all. Among its many capabilities, it’s intuitive enough to make navigation a breeze. You’ll even find multitouch gestures so you can work on your projects with just your fingers.

This is a great example of digital art software that can take you far on a budget. After all, your success as an illustrator is a matter of how well you use the resources at your disposal, not how much money you spend on them.

Download: Rebelle 4 ($89.99; free demo available)

5. ArtRage Vitae

ArtRage Drawing Tools Introduction

Another alternative to the more expensive programs around is ArtRage. Vitae is the newest version of this affordable but highly productive digital drawing software, which you can use on PC and mobile.

You won't find as much variety in tools as some of the best illustration resources on the web. But even though you have fewer features to play with, they will still stand to impress when you share your digital art on online platforms.

You can expect a stylish and user-friendly interface. There are plenty of brushes, paint types, and design tools. And it also lets you create, collaborate, share, and deliver your projects with ease.

Download: ArtRage Vitae ($80)

6. Krita

Krita Drawing Tools and Features

Fortunately, there are handy drawing tools you can download and use for free. Krita is one of the best because of its scope and ease of use.

Its capabilities are nowhere near Adobe's and Corel’s, but you can do great work with what Krita offers. And we’re not just talking about multi-functional brushes. For example, you can look forward to a good color management system, not to mention HDR, Python, and PSD support.

Simply put, Krita is a dream come true for digital illustrators who want high-quality art supplies without spending a dime. There may be limits to what it can do, but its value is beyond question.

Download: Krita (Free)

7. Artweaver

Artweaver Drawing and Painting Tools

Artweaver is a popular choice among artists who want more drawing tools and less vector work. In that sense, it's a smarter option than Illustrator, for example.

A fully functional free version is available, but many of the more interesting features, like mirror painting and custom palettes, are for premium customers. Nevertheless, you get perfectly good tools for sketching, painting, and collaborating to your heart’s content.

Related: Free Apps and Sites to Learn How to Draw Online for Beginners or Artists

A particular element that might interest art teachers or influencers is Artweaver’s so-called events. The software uses them to record and store the progress of each project. Then, you can replay your illustration, step-by-step.

Download: Artweaver (Free; premium version available)

8. Inkscape

Inkscape Drawing Tools Introduction

Inkscape is free but powerful enough to satisfy expert digital illustrators as well as beginners.

The interface is simpler than what you’ll find on more elaborate art software, but this makes the user experience smoother. And it doesn’t mean that your toolkit is anything to look down on in terms of artistic features or file management.

Something to keep in mind, though, is that Inkscape is better for pen, pencil, or calligraphic illustrations. There are paint tools, but they’re less exciting than what these other programs offer—think Microsoft Paint.

Even so, Inkscape is worth exploring as a well-equipped platform for digital artists. When you just need something reliable, easy to use, and free, this could be just the thing.

Download: Inkscape (Free)

Draw Your Way to Success

Want to dominate the digital illustration scene? Get acquainted with these tools and resources and find the ones that work best with your style, workflow, and budget.

Drawing software is essential for digital illustrators, but so is social networking and website building. Check out our next article on how to become a successful digital illustrator to find out more.

About The Author

electra-nanou-750.jpg?fit=crop&w=100&h=100

Electra Nanou (140 Articles Published)

Electra is a Staff Writer at MakeUseOf. Among several writing hobbies, digital content became her professional focus with technology as a key specialty. Her features range from app and hardware tips to creative guides and beyond.

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