Top 5 Digital Art Tools Every Illustrator Should Try

Digital illustration continues to evolve rapidly, and having the right tools can make a huge difference in your creative process. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, choosing the best digital art programs can boost your productivity and help you create stunning artwork. This post highlights five top digital art tools that illustrators should explore, focusing on features, usability, and unique strengths.

A digital artist's workspace featuring a tablet and stylus, showcasing digital art creation

1. Procreate

Procreate is one of the most popular digital art apps out there, especially if you’re working on an iPad, and honestly, it’s the program I personally use for all of my digital illustration work. The interface feels incredibly natural, so you can focus on drawing instead of fighting the software. If you love the feeling of traditional sketching and painting, Procreate translates that experience really well digitally.

• What you’ll actually use: Over 200 customizable brushes, (Click Here to get the ones I use!) an easy-to-manage layering system, quick shape tools, and animation assist if you want to experiment with motion or simple storytelling.

  
  

• Why you'll love it: Procreate is fast and responsive, and it handles pressure sensitivity beautifully, which makes a big difference when you’re working on detailed illustrations. I also love how easy it is to bring in new brushes, especially current digital brush styles, so your work can evolve without changing your entire workflow.

  
  

• Best for you if: You want a powerful but portable tool that lets you work from anywhere, at home, in a sketchbook mindset, or on the go, without sacrificing quality.

  
  

One of the biggest reasons I stick with Procreate is how well it handles large canvases without lag, paired with frequent updates that actually improve the experience. It’s the tool I reach for daily, and the one I recommend first when someone asks me what to start with. I highly recommend downloading it and experimenting with it firsthand. It’s a one-time purchase, and in my experience, it more than pays for itself.

If you’re ready to explore Procreate, here’s a link to download the app and try my custom brushes. Procreate is the program I personally use for all of my digital illustration work and professional picture book projects.

2. Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop remains a staple for many professional illustrators, and it’s a tool you may already be familiar with—or curious about. While it’s often associated with photo editing, Photoshop also gives you powerful painting and drawing tools that can fully support professional illustration work.

• Key features you’ll use: Custom brushes, advanced layering, blending modes, and seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.

  
  

• Why you'll love it: Photoshop’s flexibility allows you to create everything from comic art to detailed concept designs, all within one program. You can work loosely or build highly rendered images, depending on your style and workflow.

  
  

• Best if: You want a comprehensive, industry-standard tool with deep customization and long-term scalability.

  
  

Photoshop also lets you import custom brushes, including trend-inspired digital brushes, so you can tailor the program to feel more like your studio, not a one-size-fits-all tool.

If you want to explore Photoshop for illustration, I recommend downloading it directly from Adobe so you have access to the full toolset and updates. You can check it out here.

3. Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint has built a strong following, especially if you’re interested in illustration or comic-style work, and it’s easy to see why. It’s designed with drawing in mind, so the tools feel intentional rather than adapted from photo-editing software.

• Features you’ll actually use: Vector layers for clean linework, frame-by-frame animation, built-in 3D models you can pose for reference, and a massive brush library you can customize to match your style.

  
  

• Why you'll love it: The pen pressure control is incredibly precise, and the brushes feel very close to traditional media. If you care about line quality and expressive strokes, this is where Clip Studio really shines.

  
  

• Best for you if: You’re working on comics, picture books with strong linework, or any kind of sequential art and want deep control without overcomplicating your process.

  
  
  
  

Another big plus is affordability. Clip Studio offers a one-time purchase option, which makes it a great alternative if you want professional-level tools without committing to a subscription.

If linework and drawing feel like the heart of your process, Clip Studio Paint is absolutely worth trying. It’s especially strong for storytelling and illustration workflows. You can explore and download it here.

4. Krita

Krita is a free, open-source digital painting program that genuinely delivers professional-level tools, without costing you anything. If you’re building your practice on a budget or just want a strong painting program to experiment with, Krita is absolutely worth your time.

• Features you’ll actually use: Brush stabilizers for smoother linework, wrap-around mode for creating seamless patterns and textures, and a fully customizable interface so the program works the way you do.

  
  

• Why you'll love it: Krita gives you access to many of the same tools professional illustrators use, without the financial barrier. It’s especially great if you’re focused on painting, texture, and expressive brushwork.

  
  

• Best for you if: You’re a beginner who wants to learn digital painting seriously, or a professional looking for a powerful free alternative to paid software.

  
  
  
  

One of the best parts about Krita is that it’s community-driven, which means new brushes and features are added often, many inspired by current digital art trends, so the program continues to grow alongside the artists who use it.

If you want a no-cost way to start or expand your digital painting practice, Krita is a great place to begin. You can download it for free here.

5. Sketchbook Pro

Sketchbook Pro is a clean, lightweight drawing app that’s all about getting out of your way and letting you draw. If you love sketching and loose linework, this program feels very natural and low-pressure, almost like working in a digital sketchbook.

• Features you’ll actually use: A streamlined interface, responsive pencil and ink brushes, perspective guides, symmetry tools, and quick sketching features that make it easy to capture ideas fast.

  
  

• Why you might love it: Sketchbook Pro is incredibly intuitive. There’s very little setup, so you can open the app and start drawing immediately. It’s great when you want to focus on ideas, composition, and flow without getting caught up in technical settings.

  
  

• Best for you if: You enjoy sketching, concept development, or line-based illustration and want a simple, distraction-free tool to work through ideas or warm up before moving into more detailed programs.

  
  
  
  

Sketchbook Pro also runs smoothly on a range of devices, making it a solid option if you want something reliable and easy to jump into, especially for daily drawing or early-stage illustration work.

If you’re looking for a straightforward, no-frills drawing app that feels natural and responsive, Sketchbook Pro is a great choice. It’s especially useful for sketching and concept work. You can check it out here

Conculsion

Choosing the right digital art program really comes down to how you like to work—your style, your workflow, and what makes sense for your budget. Procreate continues to be a favorite for iPad users because it’s intuitive, portable, and has an incredible brush system that lets you get professional results without a steep learning curve. Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint are great options if you want more flexibility and advanced tools, especially for detailed illustration, comics, or longer projects. Krita is an amazing no-cost option if you’re looking for powerful painting tools without the financial commitment, and Sketchbook is perfect if you want a simple, distraction-free space to sketch, plan, and develop ideas.

The best advice I can give is to actually spend time in the programs. Try demos or free trials when they’re available and pay attention to how the tools feel when you’re drawing. The right software should support your process—not slow you down or pull you out of your creative flow. Once you find the tool that fits you, it becomes much easier to push your digital illustrations to the next level and focus on what really matters: the work itself.

More FREE Resources

Need more help? I’ve put together a collection of free resources and my personal recommendations for beginner illustrators that you can check out here.

SEE THE TOOLS I USE