Best Free Drawing Software for Windows

Are you an aspiring artist looking to unleash your creativity? Or maybe you need to design a flyer for your business or share your artwork on social media. Whatever your digital drawing needs may be, you don’t have to break the bank with expensive software like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter. There are plenty of free drawing programs available that offer a wide range of features and tools to help you create stunning digital artwork.

In this article, we will explore the best free drawing software for Windows in 2020. We have researched and compiled a list of 10 popular digital art programs that are completely free to use. These programs cater to both beginners and experienced artists, providing a variety of features for drawing, painting, photo editing, and even 3D modeling. So, let’s dive in and discover the perfect drawing software for your artistic journey.

1. GIMP: The Powerful Image Editor with Drawing Capabilities

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is not specifically designed for drawing, but it offers powerful drawing tools that rival paid software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. GIMP is an open-source program, which means it is completely free to download and use. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

With GIMP, you can adjust and customize your brushes to create unique and stunning digital artwork. The program also supports the installation of additional brushes, giving you even more creative possibilities. While it may have a learning curve for beginners, GIMP is widely used by professionals and businesses thanks to its extensive features and customization options.

Key Features of GIMP:

• Great for professionals and businesses
• Open-source software
• Customizable brushes
• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

2. Krita: The Dedicated Digital Painting Software

Krita is a dedicated digital painting software that boasts an intuitive interface and a wide variety of painting tools. It is designed by professional artists and offers features tailored for illustrators and concept artists. Krita is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

One of the standout features of Krita is its extensive brush selection. It offers a wide range of brush strokes and customizable options, allowing artists to create unique and realistic artwork. Krita also includes integrated guides to assist with routine drawing tasks, such as drawing straight lines or smoothing out shapes. The program is well-suited for both beginners and experienced artists.

Key Features of Krita:

• Tailored for illustration and concept art
• Open-source software
• Extensive built-in brush options
• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

3. Microsoft Paint 3D: Adding a Dimension to Your Drawings

Unlike traditional drawing software, Microsoft Paint 3D is designed to bring your drawings to life in three dimensions. While it does offer basic 2D drawing capabilities, its main focus is on 3D modeling. This makes it a unique and fun option for artists interested in exploring the world of 3D art.

Microsoft Paint 3D is lightweight and easy to use, making it accessible for beginners and a great tool for experimenting with different artistic styles. It supports various paint effects, allowing you to add depth and realism to your artwork. The software is currently available for Windows only.

Key Features of Microsoft Paint 3D:

• Perfect for kids and beginners
• Supports 3D modeling
• Streamlined interface and software
• Available for Windows only

4. Artweaver 7: Emulating Corel Painter’s Features

Artweaver 7 is an artist-centric program that aims to replicate some of the most popular features of Corel Painter, a paid drawing software. It offers extensive brush and stroke customization options, giving artists full control over their artwork. Artweaver 7 is available in both free and paid versions.

The free version of Artweaver 7 provides plenty of functionality, making it a great choice for artists on a budget. However, the paid version, Artweaver Pro, offers additional brush types, better software integrations, and more manageability options. Artweaver is currently available for Windows only.

Key Features of Artweaver 7:

• Great for professionals and businesses
• Free and paid versions available
• Integrated collaboration tools
• Available for Windows only

5. Astropad Studio for Windows: Tablet-Based Drawing Software

Astropad Studio is primarily associated with iPads and macOS, but it also offers a tablet-based drawing software for Windows. While the actual software requires a one-time payment, there is an ongoing free beta version (Project Blue) available for Windows users.

Astropad Studio allows you to mirror your Windows desktop on your iPad, providing support for the Apple Pencil and touch interactions. It includes most of the general features you would expect from drawing software, and there are ongoing developments for shortcuts, customization, and overall operating efficiency. Astropad Studio is available for macOS and Windows (beta).

Key Features of Astropad Studio for Windows:

• Ideal for tablet users
• Offers paid versions with additional features
• Free beta version available
• Available for macOS and Windows (beta)

6. Sketchbook: A Mobile-Friendly Drawing Software

Sketchbook is a drawing software that splits its offering based on platform: a free version for mobile devices and a paid version for desktop. The mobile version is free to download from Google Play and the App Store, while the desktop version requires a one-time payment.

Sketchbook is designed with artists in mind, offering a straightforward user interface and a wide range of customization options for brushes. Both the free and paid versions are great for sketching and provide a realistic user experience. It is available for Windows, macOS, and select mobile platforms.

Key Features of Sketchbook:

• Perfect for mobile users
• Paid version available for desktop
• Emphasis on realistic user experience
• Available for Windows, macOS, and select mobile platforms

7. Adobe Fresco: Exploring the Industry Standard

Adobe Fresco is a powerful drawing tool originally designed for iPads, but it has since expanded to Windows and select mobile platforms. As a free drawing software offered by Adobe, Fresco allows users to familiarize themselves with the industry standard in digital art and illustration.

Adobe Fresco offers a vast selection of brushes and tools, making it a great choice for artists of all skill levels. While the free version provides access to a wide range of features, there is also a premium subscription available for additional content and customization options. Adobe Fresco is available for Windows, macOS, and select mobile platforms.

Key Features of Adobe Fresco:

• Perfect for tablet users
• Huge brush selection
• Premium subscription available
• Available for Windows, macOS, and select mobile platforms

8. Inkscape: Creating Vector Graphics for Designers

If you’re looking to create and edit vector graphics, Inkscape is an excellent choice. This open-source software is often compared to Adobe Illustrator, but it has the advantage of being completely free. Inkscape has a sleek interface and offers extensive features for creating and editing vector graphics.

With Inkscape, you can easily scale your artwork to different sizes without losing quality, making it ideal for logos, marketing materials, or anything that needs to be print-ready. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Key Features of Inkscape:

• Ideal for design professionals
• Open-source software
• Vector graphics editor
• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

9. Sketchpad: A Streamlined Browser-Based Drawing Experience

Sketchpad is an efficient and easy-to-use drawing program that operates entirely within your web browser. Simply visit the Sketchpad website, and you can start creating your artwork almost immediately. It offers a streamlined user experience with access to numerous customization options and popular features.

With Sketchpad, you can create sketches on the fly, thanks to its straightforward interface and quick workflow. It is perfect for artists who want a simple yet powerful drawing tool. Since it is browser-based, Sketchpad is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Key Features of Sketchpad:

• Good for on-the-fly sketches
• Straightforward interface
• Quick workflow
• Browser-based

10. Paint.NET: A Lightweight Image Editor with Drawing Capabilities

Paint.NET is a lightweight image editor that offers a wide range of features for photo editing and image creation. While it may not have the same level of complexity as professional drawing software, it is a great option for beginners or those looking for an easy-to-use program.

One of the standout features of Paint.NET is its user interface, which is intuitive and user-friendly. It also supports the installation of community-made plug-ins, allowing you to expand its functionality even further. Paint.NET is only available for Windows.

Key Features of Paint.NET:

• Great image editor
• User-friendly interface
• Supports community-made plug-ins
• Available for Windows only

Conclusion

Choosing the best drawing software for your artistic needs depends on your skill level, style, and intended use. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there are plenty of free drawing programs available to help you unleash your creativity. GIMP, Krita, Microsoft Paint 3D, Artweaver 7, Astropad Studio, Sketchbook, Adobe Fresco, Inkscape, Sketchpad, and Paint.NET are all excellent options to consider. Explore these programs, experiment with their features, and find the perfect drawing software to support your artistic journey.

Remember, these free drawing programs offer a wide range of features and tools that can help you create stunning digital artwork without breaking the bank. So, grab your digital pen, unleash your creativity, and let these drawing programs be your artistic companions on your creative journey.

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