- So, to cut your long chase short, here is a list of the 15 best free drawing software for Mac in 2020. Krita is a free open source drawing program that offers all the necessary tools to make a smashing art. Despite being free, Krita is a darling to most professional designers looking to create unique illustrations, comics, arts, and more.
- Check Out Krita. Price: Free Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux. Krita is a free open source digital painting program designed for cartoonists, illustrators, concept artists, and pretty much all digital artists. The software was initially developed as a general image editing competitor to Photoshop but focused their efforts on digital painting starting in 2009.
- Review of Free Drawing Software: Features, Pricing, Alternatives, Free Demos, Free Trials of Free Drawing Software such as GIMP, Krita, Mischief, Vectr, Inkscape, MyPaint, Expression Design are some of the Free Drawing Software. Mischief is built for both Mac and Windows, and is designed to be as smooth and accessible as a physical pencil.
Paid tools for digital painting have set the industry standard for what is possible with these programs, right? Not necessary. There is so much great free drawing software available today. Tired of subscription slavery and the epidemic of bloatware, professional artists are even switching from the paid apps they've been using for years.
The question is – where can we find these tools? Travel no further. We have handpicked the best free drawing programs that you can use to create compelling artworks without paying a single penny.
Price: Free Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux Krita is a free open source digital painting program designed for cartoonists, illustrators, concept artists, and pretty much all digital artists. The software was initially developed as a general image editing competitor to Photoshop but focused their efforts on digital painting starting in 2009. Free drawing software, free download - CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, Adobe Illustrator CS6, Apple Java for OS X 10.6, and many more programs.
Krita
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS
Download link: krita.org
Krita is an open source painting program made by artists for artists. The tool is completely free and the only way you can support its creator is by donating. Its main focus is on the artistic painting for cartoons, anime or canvas art, meaning that some features that you may need for photo editing or image manipulation were not prioritized in development.
One of the main strengths of Krita is its brush engine. You can tweak and create brushes for ages, and Krita comes with more than nine brush engines. The customization process is versatile and one can create an almost infinite amount of brushes specific to the task. However, the default set of brushes is more than enough to start creating art – and you can always find more packs on the internet, free of charge.
Another advantage that Krita offers is its layers mechanics. The layering system resembles that of Photoshop and allows all standard operations: merging, blending, grouping etc. There is a variety of layer types that you can create: paint layers, vector layers, fill & file layers.
Krita supports layered PSD files, so you can open Photoshop files or export your work using that format.
Artwork made with Krita by David Revoy
Pros:
- Profound brush engine
- Strong focus on digital painting
- PSD export
- Open-source community with constant updates and new features
Cons:
- Users (rarely) report performance issues on some platforms
- Some photo-editing tools are lacking
- Working with text (exported as bitmap)
- Not all features are extensively documented
Gimp
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows
Download link: gimp.org
Gimp is one of the oldest raster graphic editors that's free to use since it's early release in 1996. It has a wide and devoted user base with many tutorials and documentation available online.
Up until the last year many new users were skeptical towards adopting the program, since for years it has had issues such as outdated UI, jagged brush work and poor performance on new PC's. However, the recent big April update addressed all of these, being the result of six years of work (the previous version of Gimp was released in 2012).
Gimp was always more of an image editing program than a drawing one. With all the latest updates, its functionality is almost on par with Photoshop's. Gimp has filters, adjustments modes, color management, and all the tools professional photo editors (photographers, designers etc.) might use in their daily work. Developers also polished PSD import, and added new image formats (OpenEXR, RGBE, WebP, HGT).
However, Gimp has a lot to offer digital painters as well. The newest version includes long-awaited updates for the brush work (symmetry painting, hardware pixel processing) and canvas management (rotating, flipping, previewing).
One particular advantage of Gimp is the highly customizable UI. With all the features it offers, Gimp is the closest alternative to Photoshop in terms of the number of things you are able to do with it, and the latest update brought it even closer.
Pros:
- Multi-functional image editing
- Highly customizable (You can even make it look and work like Photoshop)
- Offers extended functionality with custom plugins
Cons:
- Linux's first development may rarely cause some performance issues on Windows
- UI can be a bit overwhelming when first starting
- Pen pressure might need to be reconfigured, especially on Windows
Autodesk's SketchBook Pro
Platform: macOS, Windows, Android, iOS
Download link:sketchbook.com
In April 2018, Autodesk made the SketchBook Pro drawing program absolutely free. No hidden costs, no subscription fees — all you have to do in order to use this drawing software with all its premium features is simply create an Autodesk account. But even then, you don't have to do it for the first seven days.
This has completely changed the dynamic of the free drawing software market, because the number of features this program offers for free is simply amazing.
Here's a video with commentary and some valuable SketchBook Pro tips for artists:
Sketchbook is a part of the Autodesk software suite, a heavily engineering-oriented company. Engineers and industrial designers have been using Sketchbook for years in order to create accurate, yet simple and visually appealing sketches.
That's why sketchbook offers wonderful perspective features: grids, dynamic vanishing point alignment, vanishing point managements, etc. Can you play fortnite on a macbook. It allows you to quickly build perspective grids for your art, which is valuable for concept artists, industrial designers, and architects.
French curves is another feature you won't find in many painting programs. They allow you to trace smooth curves, a feature that is also widely used in industrial design.
Free Drawing Mac Software Windows 10
The UI is simple, yet very effective. You can easily turn on only those sections of UI that you're currently using, so that your work area is not swamped by a large amount of tools.
You can download additional brushes without having to browse the Internet — whole packs can be downloaded from the main menu of the program. This drawing program supports PSD files and all the common graphic formats you might need.
SketchBook also has a mobile version available on Android and iOS. So you can, for example, take a photo of something and then instantly start drawing over it.
Pros:
- Elegant, simple UI
- Advanced perspective tools
- Desktop and Mobile versions
Animation Mode
Cons:
- No filters
- No advanced editing options
MyPaint
Platform: Linux, Windows
Download link:mypaint.org
MyPaint has been around since 2008 and it's development model is contribution based, with the latest stable version released in 2016. The app is open-source, simple and stable.
It's well optimized for working with tablets, so the brush flow is smooth and glitch-free, which is great given that the program is not developed by a corporation, but by a number of volunteer developers.
Unlike trying to install heavier drawing solutions, MyPaint is easy on computer resources, so using it on old laptops and PC's is a great option.
The UI is pretty up-to-date and feels more modern than, for example, Paint.net.
MyPaint supports layers and basic color adjustments. It also has cool features, like symmetry mode, connected lines, and curves. It comes with a set of brushes that have this almost organic feel to them. However, some advanced features are not there, e.g it has no animation tools.
Overall, MyPaint is a perfect choice for light sketching work, if you don't need advanced features and want to rationally use system resources.
Pros:
- Actively updated by a community
- Modern, minimalistic UI
- Simple and resource-efficient
Cons:
- No animation tools
- No desktop version
FireAlpaca
Platforms: macOS, Windows
Download link: firealpaca.com
Despite the simple looking interface, FireAlpaca is a surprisingly workable free tool beloved by many artists. It supports all the core features digital artists need: brushes, layers, multiple image tabs and editing tools.
A simple UI allows you to focus on the primary goal: painting, and it makes this program very intuitive from the start. The brush control is no worse than paid software analogues; FireAlpaca supports multiple pressure levels and has an adjustable smoothing feature that aids the line work.
Unexpectedly elaborated are FireAlpaca's perspective tools. Snap feature allows you to easily create perspective grids with multiple vanishing points, both linear and radial. This is especially useful for creating comics and storyboards with often uncommon perspective angles.
Artwork made in FireAlpaca by Manga-omega. Watch Speedpaint video here.
It's also worth mentioning that FireAlpaca has a built-in basic animation toolset (though you might want to find a tutorial for that) and supports PSD file format.
Pros:
- Simple & intuitive UI
- Smooth brush flow
- Excellent comic perspective features
- Basic animation tools
Cons:
- Overly simplistic, not suitable for complex editing tasks
MediBang Paint Pro
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android
Download link: medibangpaint.com
The key advantage of MediBang Paint Pro is its ubiquity – the program has a counterpart for almost every device you might have. With cloud storage you can effortlessly transfer your art between different devices. For example, you might start drawing something on your Kindle, and then later finish the drawing on your Mac.
The trick is, MediBang Paint and FireAlpaca are made by the same company. That explains why many features between these programs are quite similar, and why the brush workflow is great in both of them. It's hard to point out differences between them, except for Medi's cross-platformity and cloud tools. This, in turn, leads to MediBang Pro being compatible with a larger number of tablets, while FireAlpaca is mostly optimized for brand names like Wacom.
Artwork made with MediBang Paint by たく
Some specific features (e.g. materials) that are available in desktop versions may not be available on mobile versions, but then again, cloud sharing addresses that.
Overall, MediBang Paint Pro is one of these good free drawing programs that are surprisingly resourceful.
Pros:
- Supports multiple platforms and tablets
- Amazing brush presets
Cons:
- Requires a MediBang account
- A large number of tutorials are in the Japanese language (however, there are English articles)
Paint.Net
Platform: Windows
Download link: getpaint.net
Paint.Net is a simple alternative to GIMP. It is a perfect match for those looking for quick photo and image editing, without skimming through pages of tutorials and additional menus.
But don't let its simplicity fool you – the tool supports all the features one may need for all-around editing of images: layers, adjustment modes, and special effects. You can get rid of red eyes, blend images or adjust color as effectively as with any other feature-loaded analogue. Paint.NET also supports extensions, if you want to expand its capabilities.
The user interface resembles that of a Photoshop, so if you have had any experience with the program, using Paint.NET will feel even more intuitive. The app also features automatic updates, including bug fixes and new features.
Pros:
- Easy to use, working image-editing solution
- Simple and neat UI
- Extensions & updates
Cons:
- Simplicity is a double-edged sword – advanced features may be missing
- No macOS version
Afterword
Just a decade ago we didn't really have a choice: There was one paid program and one free. Nowadays there are so many great apps, it's hard to pick one even among the free ones available.
There are no clear winners, and the only question that can really narrow down the choice is whether you are planning to use these programs for digital painting (Krita, FireAlpaca, MebiBang Paint Pro), or for photo & image editing (GIMP, Paint.NET).
Fascinating art can be created with any of these programs (yes, even with Paint.NET). So the question is how comfortable you are with the tools you are using, and there's only one person who can answer that question.
Check the handy list of free software for vector drawing
Read useful tips on how to become a graphic designer and check 6 temptations of a graphic designer creating icons.
Try tools for creators by the Icons8 team
by Kayla Morrison • 2020-10-28 17:49:45 • Proven solutions
We are living in an era where digital artists are highly appreciated. Luckily, there are so many free drawing software for Mac and Windows that can help turn you into an Oscar Award-winning digital artist. But finding the right tool from the myriad of options available can be a serious challenge. So, to cut your long chase short, here is a list of the 15 best free drawing software for Mac in 2020.
1. Krita
Krita is a free open source drawing program that offers all the necessary tools to make a smashing art. Despite being free, Krita is a darling to most professional designers looking to create unique illustrations, comics, arts, and more. It features a customizable UI with lots of fantastic features like pop-up pallets, brush stabilizers, dockers, color themes, etc. And without forgetting, you can make custom brushes and share them with Krita friends.
Pros:
- Open-source program.
- Customizable resource center.
- Constant updates.
Cons:
- Lacks documentation.
- Poor touch controls.
2. Autodesk Sketchbook
Autodesk Sketchbook is another popular drawing app among professional designers. Some of the features that place this app among the best are its simple UI and advanced sketching tools. Speaking of tools, there are more than 140 brushes, multiple layers, and various blending models. Additionally, the software supports predictive and perspective strokes and rulers.
Pros:
- Excellent brush collection.
- Professional tools.
- Simple to use.
Cons:
- Not for beginners.
- Slugging on older Mac versions.
3. MediBang Paint
MediBang Paint is undoubtedly one of the best free drawing software for Mac you can find currently. The key advantage here, apart from simplicity, is the compatibility with all desktop and mobile platforms. For example, you might begin drawing on your iPhone and then finish up on Mac, thanks to the free cloud storage. However, some specific tools that you'll enjoy on the desktop version might not be present on your phone or tablet.
Pros:
- Cross-platform app.
- Fantastic brush presets.
- Free cloud storage.
Cons:
- Must create a MediBang account.
- Tutorials are mostly in the Japanese language.
4. Sip
Sip offers you a professional and straightforward way to collect, organize, and export your colorful arts. It boasts of universal shortcuts that allow users to manipulate colors effortlessly. Sip also enables you to choose the precise shade you need and organize them neatly to form palettes. Additionally, you can duplicate colors and even create snapshots for remembering colors when required. Plus, the app will detect and align color formats with whatever app you're using.
Pros:
- Supports multiple color formats.
- Universal keyboard shortcuts.
- Simple to use.
Cons:
- Not entirely free.
- Lacks important features.
5. Inkscape
Are you still looking for a free drawing app for Mac with vectors? Try Inkscape! With this open-source drawing powerhouse, you'll enjoy a simple design layout with multiple features to make professional vectors. It can design and manipulate notes, objects, and colors. You'll also get multi-line text support, support for standard image file formats, and anti-aliased display. Overall, freebies can't come any better!
Pros:
- Open-source app.
- Multiple drawing tools.
- Helpful online community.
Cons:
- Lags with large files.
- Cluttered UI.
6. GrafX2
Honestly, I can't get any easier than GrafX2. It is a free and straightforward online tool for making unique pixel arts. This 256-color bitmap app allows you to draw up to 60 varying resolutions. Surprisingly, the last reboot was in 2007, but GrafX2 has still managed to offer advanced sketching tools for modern designers. You'll get grid settings, shading tools, animation options, and shape tools.
Pros:
- Best for game developers.
- Simple to use.
- Free app.
Cons:
- Outdated UI.
- Lacks important tools.
7. Adobe Illustrator
Although overshadowed by its sibling, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator is still one of the complete apps for drawing vector designs. Here, designers and artists will create everything, ranging from billboards and product packaging to book illustrations and web icons. You'll get all the essential tools to change simple shapes or colors into sophisticated logos, graphics, or icons. Also, you'll get beautiful typography and drawing tools.
Pros:
- Smooth and fast operations.
- Multiple drawing tools.
- Supports PDF files.
Cons:
- Not for beginners.
- Free trial with the paid version.
8. Clip Studio
URL: https://www.clipstudio.net/en
If you primarily work on manga, Clip Studio should be your go-to option. Although you can use it to design standard animations and illustrations, Clip Studio excels in the manga space, just like Manga Studio. The app offers advanced features like pen-pressure detection to allow you easily create drawings of intricate areas, quick colorings, and so on.
Pros:
- Smooth and natural brushes.
- Excellent dark theme.
- Customizable interface.
Cons:
- Unintuitive key binding.
- Stifling price.
9. FireAlpaca
If you want a lightweight tool for your old computer, choose FireAlpaca. Please don't dismiss this tool, however, because it comes with some pretty essential drawing tools. This free digital painting program is available in up to 10 different languages and runs smoothly on Mac and PCs. It comes with simple tools such as Pen, Pencil, and Watercolor to draw illustrations and arts professionally. And best of all, FireAlpaca is free forever!
Pros:
- A free, open-source app.
- Basic drawing tools.
- Multi-language platform.
Cons:
- Not for pros.
10. Adobe Photoshop
Closing our best ten is Adobe Photoshop, which is undoubtedly the most popular drawing tool of the lot. Here, you'll get access to hundreds of brushes with smooth strokes. Unlike the perception out there, Adobe Photoshop is super-simple to use but might require some learning curve first. You can use it to make banners, websites, icons, logos, convert images, and so on. Moreover, you can upload local photos and start from scratch.
Pros:
- All-purpose software.
- Multiple design tools.
- Supports all image formats.
Cons:
- Resource hungry program.
- Not for beginners.
11. BlackInk
If you're still experimenting with your art but not afraid to take risks, here's the perfect app for you. The app offers a straightforward controller system for making unique and custom brushes. You can also customize the default brushes and use them to paint images. Even better, you can share your custom brushes to the community. This way, you'll never lack a paintbrush to work with.
Pros:
- Perfect for beginners.
- Create custom brushes.
- Share brushes to the community.
Cons:
- Steep price.
- Not for advanced users.
12. ArtRage
ArtRage is an intuitive and uniquely realistic app for real artists. Although it's designed with simplicity and fun in mind, this app offers powerful tools to match. On the multi-lingual platform, you'll get painting tools such as watercolor, oil brush, paint roller, airbrush, palette knife, and so much more. You'll also get an eraser, pen, ink pen, marker pen, and any other drawing tool you can imagine.
Pros:
- Create custom brush tools.
- Offers special effect tools.
- Zoom and rotate canvas freely.
Cons:
- Not for beginners.
- Awkward when adjusting brush size.
13. EazyDraw for Mac
This is a vector-based drawing app tailor-made for technical illustrations, drawings, and desktop publishing on Mac OS X computers. With EazyDraw for Mac, users will enjoy a full set of tools to design, logos, titles, illustrations, etc. And if you're a beginner, you'll get simple to understand manuals and tutorials to help you get started quickly.
Pros:
- Multiple drawing tools.
- Comes with easy tutorials and manuals.
- Simple layer controls.
Cons:
- Awkward interface.
- Steep price.
14. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a simple cross-platform app that's free to download and use on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. With it, you'll design beautiful mockups, interfaces, and scalable vector graphics. Unlike other high-end options like Photoshop and Sketch, Gravit Designer allows you to create social media posts without breaking the bank. Another thing, it supports multiple import and export file formats.
Mac Drafting Software
Pros:
- Software is bug-free.
- Supports multiple image file formats.
- Available in both online and desktop versions.
Cons:
- Scrolling the canvas can be annoying.
- Crashes with big files.
15. Vectr
Lastly, you can use Vectr to make some eye-catching designs and arts on Mac. It's a beautiful free tool that's fun to use and simple to learn. With Vectr, you'll make smooth and professional designs for any business. You'll also get a straightforward tutorial to help you get started quickly. You can work with texts, shapes, and multiple layers. However, Vectr is not as sophisticated as other advanced options like Canva.
Pros:
- Free to use.
- Simple to understand.
- Offers straightforward tutorials.
Cons:
- Not for pro designers.
- You need to create an account first to save files.
Free Mac Drawing Software For Beginners
Conclusion
Free Drawing Mac Software Downloads
These are the best free drawing software for Mac you can get currently. If you're on a limited budget, you can opt for free, open-source options like Vectr and Fire Alpaca. But if you want to enjoy extended features, choose advanced tools like Photoshop and Canva. What's better, all of these programs offer free trials, so there's no harm in trying.
