At present, computers have tightly entered into all spheres of life of a modern person. They have ceased to be the lot of only professionals who use them for complex mathematical calculations or creating special effects in movies. The modern PC is the center of communication, entertainment and human development. It is suitable not only for games or correspondence with classmates. Software developers are constantly expanding the available functionality. Graphics is a priority direction of PC development. Creating masterpieces using a computer is available not only to a professional, but also to a simple user.

Consider what programs can be used to turn a computer into an art studio.

All programs discussed in the review are free.

Paint - a program from the standard set

The Paint program appeared to users along with the first version of Windows. It is from her that the novice user begins to get acquainted with the possibilities for processing graphics on a PC. With the release of Windows 7, the application at Microsoft has been significantly redesigned, bringing the interface to new standards and expanding the functionality.

The main features supported by the free graphics editor from Microsoft:

• pruning;
• insert text explanations;
• finished figures;
• 9 types of brushes.

The presence of the program in the OS distribution kit determines that for the first time the user makes drawings on the computer in Paint. The default program is launched from the standard applications section in the start menu.

For experienced users or artists, the editor is unsuitable, as there is no support for layers, textures, and other important functionality.

GIMP - graphic editor for design and photography

The GIMP graphics editor began to be created in 1995 as a graduation project. For 21 years of development, the program has become a powerful competitor to paid editors. Often this application is called a free analogue of Adobe Photoshop, but developers disagree with this position.

GIMP is designed to work with raster graphics, but has partial support for vector graphics. It is possible to connect a graphics tablet for drawing and other specialized equipment.

The main features that the GIMP drawing program offers:

1. correction of photos, restoration of unsuccessful frames;
2. cutting layouts for web designers;
3. drawing from tablets;
4. support for many formats, including .psd;
5. expansion of functionality due to easily installed plugins;
6. proprietary file format that supports layers.

GIMP is direct proof that free apps can outperform commercial software.

In our selection, we decided to compare applications for painting landscapes, digital paintings, portraits, comics, and various decorations on PC with tools for beginners and professionals. A lot of effects, brushes, colors on the palette and the finest settings of virtual canvases will help you create real masterpieces.

Take a look at the best drawing programs on your computer to choose the most worthy and multifunctional, with which you can unleash your creativity, fine-tune photos or complete a design project.

Programs	Russian language	License	Rating	Plugins	Capabilities
	Yes	Free	Medium	10	Yes	Pro
	Yes	Free	Medium	8	Yes	Pro
	Yes	Free	Medium	7	Yes	Pro
	Not	Free	Low	10	Yes	amateur
	Yes	Free	Medium	7	Yes	Pro
	Yes	Free	High	7	Not	Pro
	Yes	Free	Low	10	Yes	amateur
	Yes	Trial	High	8	Yes	Pro
	Yes	Free	High	10	Not	amateur
	Yes	Free	Medium	9	Yes	Pro
	Yes	Free	Low	10	Not	amateur
	Yes	Trial	High	8	Yes	Pro
	Yes	Trial	Low	6	Not	amateur
	Yes	Free	Medium	6	Not	amateur

A well-known graphics editor with useful features for both beginners and professionals. Supports popular formats, processes GIF animation, works with layers, draws, retouches, corrects colors, removes defects, changes size and format, saves ongoing operations and opens several pictures at the same time. The user can also rotate, scale and apply filters to the image.

Microsoft graphics editor with a large set of useful features and a clear interface. The software corrects and processes photographs, imports files from scanners and cameras, performs layer-by-layer processing and applies effects. In this practical application, the user can remove red eyes, rotate the image with a 3D effect, adjust textures, add plugins for additional functionality, change the image size, create freehand pictures with fill settings, add text or use an eraser.

The software creates and edits vector technical illustrations, sets analytical curves, has a set of high-quality tools and a multilingual interface. In the application, the user can create a diagram, logo, poster, graph or presentation business card. With the help of PSTricks macros, it is possible to create graphs, import / export various graphic formats, open and save documents in "gzip". At the output, the user will receive graphics for high-quality printing. Inkscape has versions for 64-bit OS and is supported by Windows and Linux.

A virtual canvas painting utility using professional tools and sub-pixel technology to create a high quality painting. Allows you to create paintings from scratch, while having useful options for working with finished material. The user can choose different types of pencils, pens, pens, brushes, colors on the palette and effects, synchronize the material to a graphics tablet, process multiple layers, move canvases and save the project in a convenient format.

The application creates professional digital paintings, works with layers, processes imported photographs and pictures. The editor has impressive functionality, fine-tuning color balances and curves, creates drawings and manages masks. The user has access to drawing, professional editing and processing. Various effects are available, managing gradients and balances, creating web graphics, working with layers and large expansion images.

Creates graphics and processes graphic elements, supports layers, has tools for rotations, fills, moves, interesting special effects and filters. Allows you to resize graphics, add text to them, delete an area, scale, apply a texture and work with noise. Artweaver is distributed free of charge, but at the same time it is on a par with paid editors in terms of functionality. Supports various formats, has gradients, filters and fills. Menu in English.

The application creates digital paintings using high-quality and interesting tools with the limitless possibilities of a virtual canvas. The functions are accessible and understandable for both beginners and professionals in this field. In the utility, you can create a large picture, use diverse custom brushes, manage layers, scale, erase, shift colors, blur, etc. Support for the ORA format is convenient for working with a project in other editors or for collaborating with artists.

This free program creates digital drawings on a PC, supports its own sai and standard formats, has a large selection of interesting tools and filters. On a digital canvas, the user can use many layers, adjust the softness of the pencil, the shape of the brush, the transparency of colors, the texture of canvases and other tools (water, pen, marker, eraser, curves, lines, selections, etc.). For realistic illustrations, you can add sunlight, shadows, folds, implemented parallel work in different documents and the setting of "hot keys".

A colorful graphic application for children with interesting effects, presets, tips from Tux the penguin and musical accompaniment while working. This graphic editor for young artists has an accessible and understandable menu displaying all the functions, settings and color palette. The child has access to stamps of cartoon characters, animals, plants, ready-made objects in the form of flowers, bricks and other objects, drawing shapes and lines, as well as creating a slide show of their creations.

A multifunctional cross-platform utility for creating, processing and editing raster art paintings. It has a large selection of filters, brushes, masks, the ability to work with layers and color perspectives. The program looks like an imitation of a canvas with tools, so an amateur, photographer or artist can easily edit a photo or bitmap, create an artistic picture or process material in layers. Krita has a version for 64-bit OS, supports working with RAW format photos and can be controlled by hotkeys.

The application allows you to capture the PC screen for subsequent screen editing. In the editor, the user can change the size of the screenshot, draw text or add a picture by hand, adjust the saturation, brightness, blur, shades, and other parameters. In addition, the software can capture scrollable material, so you can screenshot a web page and other large documents. A screenshot can be saved in any graphic format, uploaded to social networks or sent to a friend.

Convenient and easy-to-use programs for drawing on a graphics tablet have become widespread.

This is due to the fact that more and more artists are beginning to work "in digital", refusing classical materials to create illustrations or paintings.

However, both the convenience of work and the quality of its implementation largely depend on what software the author uses to work on the tablet.

Peculiarities

Most tablet artists currently use Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. This is a high-quality, functional software, however, not the only one. It is worth choosing a program both in terms of functionality and convenience of working with it.

Which program you choose will determine how much the capabilities of your tablet will open up. Therefore, you need to choose software taking into account the technical data of the device. In addition, there are universal programs suitable for any tablet.

<Рис. 1 Планшет>

Paint

This application is suitable for artists who are just starting to learn how to work on a graphics tablet. It has common functionality, a simple and familiar menu, and therefore you won’t need to spend extra time getting used to it (although a novice author will still have to get used to a tablet).

Having a certain level of skill, and having stuffed your hand, with the help of such software, you can create quite high-quality work. The advantages of such an application include:

1. Its presence by default in standard assemblies of all versions of Windows (although it is recommended to work with those included in XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 assemblies);
2. Extremely simple interface and menu - almost every user knows how to work with Paint;
3. Pretty wide (for a basic program) functionality.

From the functional features of the program, one can single out drawing with a pencil with lines of various thicknesses and densities, drawing with a brush at different transparency and stroke width, filling the selected area in one color, working in several layers. You can also act with the finished image - select and copy zones, cut out sections, enlarge, stretch and flip the selected zones. Saves pictures in several formats.

It is worth starting acquaintance with the functionality of a drawing tablet with this software. Moreover, it can be the main one for those who do not draw professionally, as well as for those who periodically make minor edits to graphic files.

<Рис. 2 Работа в Пейнт>

gimp

This software for creating drawings has wide functionality and considerable power. You can download it from the official website www.gimp.org. Works with all types of graphics tablets, as well as some other input devices.

Among the disadvantages of such software are the following:

1. Quite a significant load, both on the hardware of the computer and the tablet;
2. Quite a complex interface, it takes time to get used to it.

<Рис. 3 Работа в Gimp>

However, it is still considered that the application is intended for beginners. It has a fairly wide functionality:

• Working with photos - brightness, color correction, level adjustment, contrast, etc.;
• Photo editing - removing unnecessary elements, cropping, other standard Photoshop functions;
• Suitable for web designers, as it allows you to create and edit layouts for websites;
• Drawing pictures - equipped with the functions of "brush", "pencil", "filling the area with color", etc., and in several forms;
• It has an individual format for saving pictures.xcf, which can save data with a picture, text insert, layers, textures, etc.;
• Easy integration with the clipboard - pictures and photos can be opened in the program by simply copying them;
• Opens editable files from other well-known graphics programs, such as .psd;
• The developer's open code allows you to create and install your own plugins, add-ons and extensions for this software;
• Allows you to quickly archive files.

This software is very versatile. It is suitable for both beginners and non-professionals, as well as professional illustrators.

MyPaint

The program is designed primarily for artists working in classical genres. It is not so much designed for drawing simple illustrations as for creating works of art, paintings in a classic style. For this reason, it has a fairly wide and complex functionality, not a very simple menu.

Most artists take some time to get used to it. However, it is believed that the interface of this program is simpler than that of most similar ones with similar functionality. You can download the application at .

<Рис. 4 Работа в MyPaint>

The main advantages of this app are:

• Unlimited canvas sizes;
• The ability to customize the content of the menu bar, include assignable buttons, etc., as a result, the function of quickly switching between commands and easy access to frequently used functions is realized;
• A very wide selection of brush types with the ability to fine-tune each;
• The function of importing strokes and brushes, generating, adjusting and editing them;
• Works with many types of devices and supports them well;
• Unlike most similar programs, it works on a variety of operating systems - Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Ubuntu.

Drawing in this software will be fast after the user gets used to its interface. However, non-professional artists, as well as illustrators and comic book creators, can get by with other, simpler applications (both in terms of interface and functionality).

graffiti studio

The program is designed to create graffiti, it is for this style of drawing that its main functionality is designed. Can be used with success by those who create comics, as well as illustrators working in a similar style. The program has a very simple and intuitive interface.

An interesting distinguishing feature is its relative realism. The whole process of work resembles the application of graffiti "live". And as a canvas, you can choose surfaces familiar to a street artist - walls, asphalt, cars, buses, etc.

<Рис. 5 Работа в Graffiti Studio>

Features of this application include:

• Using more than 100 color shades of paints, such as could be used in real drawing;
• Creation of streaks and streaks, application to “dry paint”;
• Changing the specifics of application, depending on which surface you have chosen (as in reality);
• Changing the distance from the artist to the canvas (the distance from which virtual spray paint is applied to a vertical surface);
• The use of markers and other means that are actively used in real graffiti.

Although this style is not as popular today as it was a few years ago, it has not completely disappeared. Largely due to the emergence of such programs.

artweaver

The program is a complete analogue of Photoshop. But, unlike it, it is implemented completely free of charge. You can download it from the official site.

It has the same functionality as Photoshop. And besides, a similar interface and external design. It is quite capable of replacing this graphic editor.

However, it also has some additional features that will be convenient for artists. Its main advantage is that authors who are used to working in Photoshop will not have to relearn. In addition, this application consumes less computer resources and is less "heavy".

In the application, it is possible to make pictures with means that imitate oil, pencil, watercolor, chalk. At the same time, various tools are presented here - brushes, markers, pencils, pen, pen and more (moreover, of various types).

Like Photoshop, it has full functionality for changing photos - color correction, adjusting brightness and contrast, levels, cropping, cutting out areas, compression, rotation, reflection, styling, etc. Like its better-known counterpart, it supports working in layers.

<Рис. 6 Работа в Artweaver>

SmoothDraw

You can download the program and the manual for working with it from the official website. It is suitable for working with any type of tablet. It has a fairly wide functionality with a relatively simple interface.

Allows not only to create new images, but also to process, modify and edit old ones, including those created in other programs. But mostly the application is focused specifically on artists who create a picture on a blank canvas. Suitable for both illustrators and web designers and artists working in a classic style.

Allows you to simulate the work of various tools - a brush, pencil, pen, pens, colored pencils, felt-tip pens, etc. It interacts well with tablets, there are no failures or bugs when performing basic functions. Since the software has a simple interface, it will make the creative process relatively simple and fast.

<Рис. 7 Работа в SmoothDraw>

PixBuilder Studio

The most accurate description for this program will be a light version of Photoshop. It combines most of the most used functions of this program, but removed unnecessary or rarely used features in order to simplify the interface and reduce the load on the hardware and software of the computer. You can download the program from the link.

Has the following functionality:

• Image editing by parameters: brightness, contrast, color correction, hue enhancement, etc.;
• Cutting and transforming photos, stretching, compressing, reflecting, reversing, both the entire image and the selected area;
• Generation of complex shapes, objects, etc.;
• Blur and sharpen functions, image styling options.

However, in general, the application is more designed for editing existing images than for creating new ones. For this reason, it is not suitable for professional artists. Rather, it is suitable for those who edit photos and pictures, but sometimes make their own edits and additions to them.

<Рис. 8 Работа в PixBuilder Studio>

inkscape

It differs significantly from the rest of the programs in the list primarily in that it allows you to create vector graphics. In fact, it is a more advanced and functional version of CoralDraw, which is familiar to most users. You can download it from the official site, and you must specify your operating system, since there are assemblies of this program for all operating systems (which is another significant advantage of it).

What are the benefits of this application? First of all, in the very principle of vector graphics, that is, drawing with directed segments. Such segments, unlike point fragments (in which all other programs described above work), are easy to edit at any stage.

At the same time, with such editing of the shapes and sizes of segments, there is no loss of image quality. You can even enlarge the entire image by several times, while maintaining its quality.

For this reason, the program is popular with web designers and designers, logo developers, and the like, as they often need to edit the image size. In addition, the application is actively used in printing, creating banners and booklets.

<Рис. 9 Работа в Inkscape>

livebrush

Simple and interesting software, designed more for creative search and inspiration than for creating a classic piece. In addition, it has a fairly wide functionality for editing images. You can download the software from the link.

There is only one tool here - the brush. But it comes in many different types, both in width and density, type, etc. In addition, many types of brushes can be downloaded, edited, created, etc.

In addition to traditional brushes - lines, there are also complex geometric shapes, which are also considered brushes in this application. The program is suitable for creating abstract illustrations and some design work.

<Рис. 10 Работа в Livebrush>

Paid programs

And also many developers implement paid programs for working with graphic tablets. In terms of functionality, they do not always surpass free ones, so before buying it is worth weighing the pros and cons. The most popular commercial programs are:

• Corel Painter X3 works with traditional media like brushes, pencils, and more. Simulates wet and dry finishes and effects. The works are realistic, and the drawing process is familiar;
• Painter Lite is a cheaper version of the previous program, with narrower functionality. Equipped with only the necessary drawing tools, suitable for beginners or for those who are not yet ready for significant spending;
• Clip Paint Studio Pro has been designed to create anime and manga. However, it can create comics and illustrations of any type. Its developers have made so many changes to the program that now it can be used for digital painting. The presence of standard poses and manga figures that can be used as nature in classical drawing is convenient;

  <Рис. 11 Работа в Corel Painter X3>

  Another good paid program is Affinity Designer. But it has a significant drawback - it is designed only to work with MAC.

  Programs for drawing on a computer

  In this video, I took six programs on which you can draw on a computer with a tablet and explained which program is best suited for whom and also revealed the criteria for choosing a graphic editor for everyone personally.

For five years now I have wanted to learn how to draw on a tablet. In January, there was a determination to finally start moving in this direction. In this permanent author's column, I will share my experience of mastering, useful books, tips and resources.

When you enter a new field, there are many questions in your head. Actually, they, sometimes even unconscious, are not verbally formed, and are not allowed to dream. And the first step is to write out all the questions. The second is to methodically look for answers to them and learn a new skill step by step.

So, in which program to draw? What stylus? How often? Where can you read about it?

I've been looking at styluses for a long time. I have bamboo, 53 paper. But the apple pencil turned out to be the most convenient. It has a thin tip, it is pleasant to hold it in the hand, it is stylish. And it makes an ideal pair for the tablet - ipad pro. The thickness and saturation of the line reacts to the force of pressing the pencil on the screen. Those. just like with a normal instrument. For example, if you press harder on the pencil, the line becomes thicker and brighter. Similarly with the apple pencil stylus. Or, you start to put more pressure on the brush - the line becomes thicker, just like with the apple pencil stylus.

And here we can say a few words about the advantages of drawing on a tablet, as opposed to traditional tools:

• The art workshop is always with you. No need to carry a suitcase of tools, paints, markers and canvases.
• All drawing books right there on the tablet.
• If the stroke of the watercolor does not work out or the color is not successful, you can remove it with a light touch of the button.
• Clothes and hands are clean.
• You don't have to wait for the paint to dry.
• When you erase the missing line, the paper does not deteriorate, everything just returns to its original form.
• Paper is saved, trees are saved.

There are a couple of obvious downsides:

• If a pencil or tablet sits down, and there are no outlets nearby, then that's it, fine for drawing.
• Never on a tablet can you achieve such bizarre watercolor stains as on paper.

Let's leave the magic of bizarre watercolor spills to work on paper, but for now let's get back to digital drawing.

I decided on the program rather quickly, focusing on itunes recommendations and reviews of sketching programs on the Internet. The choice fell on Tayasui Sketches. It has all the tools you need to get started. I especially liked the watercolor brush and the ability to make blots. At first, the program seemed complicated. But it always happens until you start to understand and try.

At first you are afraid of the abundance of tools, and then you start to miss them.

The program has a convenient panel, a choice of colors, there is a constantly updated gallery of works from around the world. Well, the developers are alive, constantly tweaking something in the program. Here's what the screen looks like. And examples of inscriptions made with different tools.

About tools. It would be nice to understand what each tool in the program can do. I used five sheets for this, experimenting with intensity, size, different layers and tools.

The pencil is an amazing imitation, indistinguishable from an ordinary simple pencil.

The program also includes a gel pen, a felt-tip pen, a marker brush, a pencil, an acrylic brush, a watercolor brush, an airbrush.

A simple exercise is to draw many variations of one subject. The tool is a pen.

The most difficult, as in life, was watercolor. Sometimes it gives completely unexpected effects when mixing, layering and blotting.

With practice, you can make neat drawings with smooth transitions.

By the way, in the program you can change the canvas - watercolor grained paper, ordinary landscape sheet, canvas, colored paper. And you can experiment with this too.

3. “Art workshop. Graphic arts"

There is a small background for drawing on paper, thanks to the project. I will definitely participate in the100dayproject project, on April 4th it is launched by the author of our book “Between Need and Want” El Luna. I plan to draw on the tablet every day.

I did not find any books specifically on digital photography on a tablet in Russian. Drawing without a tutorial is like learning to drive a car on your own. It is possible, but difficult. I bought a magazine in New York on this topic, I will tell about it in the next issue. By the way, one more of the pluses is that you can draw on the plane, the screen is bright and a million colored pencils are at hand.

A postcard made on the flight from New York to Moscow.

The following goals:

• learn digital lettering.
• continue to master all the tools in Tayasui Sketches.
• draw whales, cats and space.
• work out a lot of drawings in the technique of visual notes.
• more active use of layers, it is very convenient.

Join if you are interested in this topic. Feedback and comments can be emailed to me. [email protected]