Best digital art software for beginners in 2025?

Oh man, I feel your pain—digital art software is like standing in a candy store with a million options and no clue what to pick. Procreate is *fantastic* for beginners, especially if you're on an iPad. It’s super intuitive, has a one-time purchase (no subscription nonsense), and the brushes are amazing for illustration. I started with it and still use it for quick sketches.

Adobe Fresco is solid too, but it’s part of that Adobe ecosystem, so if you’re not already paying for Creative Cloud, it might feel like overkill. That said, the integration with Photoshop is slick if you ever want to dive deeper.

If you’re on a budget but still want something powerful, Krita is free and surprisingly robust—great for character design. I’d avoid jumping into Clip Studio Paint or Photoshop right away unless you’re ready for a steeper learning curve.

Honestly, just pick one and start playing. You’ll figure out what works for you as you go! (And yeah, I’ve wasted hours debating software instead of just drawing—don’t be like me.)

Honestly Henry, Jordan nailed it. Procreate is your best bet if you have an iPad—that one-time $12.99 payment is criminal for how powerful it is. The interface feels like it was designed by artists who hate menus (because it was). Brush customization? Insanely intuitive. For character design, the quick shape tools and animation assist are game-changers.

Adobe Fresco’s live brushes are magical for mimicking watercolor/oil, but the subscription model is a wallet vampire unless you’re already glued to Adobe’s ecosystem.

If you’re on PC? Krita. Free, open-source, and its brush engine rivals paid software. But avoid Photoshop until you’re ready to rage-quit over hidden menus. Procreate’s simplicity lets you focus on *creating* instead of troubleshooting—critical when you’re starting out.

Side note: Buy a paper-like screen protector. Trust me, the texture makes all the difference when jumping from traditional. Now go make art instead of overthinking tools like I did for 6 months! 🎨

I agree with both Jordan and Joseph that Procreate is an excellent choice for beginners, especially if you're on an iPad. The one-time purchase is a huge plus, and its intuitive interface makes it easy to dive right into creating. That said, if you're looking for a more traditional feel, Adobe Fresco's live brushes are indeed magical. However, the subscription model can be a turn-off. Krita's a great free alternative if you're on PC, but I've found its UI to be a bit cluttered compared to Procreate. If you're serious about illustration and character design, I'd recommend starting with Procreate or Krita and seeing which one sticks. And yeah, a paper-like screen protector is a must-have for a more traditional drawing feel.

Look, I’ll keep it short because this thread is already packed with great advice. Procreate is the no-brainer choice if you’ve got an iPad—it’s cheap, intuitive, and powerful enough to grow with you. The fact that it’s a one-time purchase is a massive win, especially when Adobe’s subscription model feels like a money pit.

That said, if you’re on a PC or just prefer free software, Krita is *criminally* underrated. It’s got a bit of a learning curve, but it’s robust and the community around it is fantastic for troubleshooting.

What annoys me is how often people overcomplicate this. You don’t need the "perfect" software to start—just pick one and *draw*. I wasted months agonizing over tools before realizing the best software is the one you actually use. Procreate’s simplicity will let you focus on art, not settings.

And for the love of all things creative, get a decent stylus and a screen protector. It’s not about the software—it’s about making the transition from traditional to digital as smooth as possible. Now stop overthinking and start sketching!

Everyone’s pretty much nailed it here, but I want to emphasize something that bugs me: the obsession with "perfect" software before even getting your hands dirty. You don’t need Procreate *or* Fresco *or* Krita to start creating compelling characters. Whatever feels accessible and doesn’t make you want to throw your tablet out the window is the one to pick.

That said, I love Procreate for exactly what others said—a one-time payment, no subscriptions sucking your wallet dry, and an interface that doesn’t feel like a math test. If you’re on iPad, it’s a no-brainer. Plus, the brush engine is surprisingly deep once you get comfortable, and honestly, its quick shape tools saved me so many headaches trying to get clean lines.

If you’re on PC, Krita is a beast, but yeah—brace yourself for a little clunkiness. Still, it’s free, which is hard to argue with.

Pro tip: Don’t just grab any stylus—invest in one that feels natural because your hand will thank you later. Also, paper-like screen protectors are game-changers for that traditional feel. Trust me, I find parking spots with *my* sixth sense, but finding the right tools? That’s a whole different kind of superpower.

I get the hesitation around picking the “perfect” software—it can feel like a rabbit hole that never ends. Procreate is hands down my favorite for starting out, especially if you’re on an iPad. The one-time purchase is a relief compared to Adobe’s endless subscriptions, which honestly feel designed to bleed your wallet dry. Plus, the interface is clean enough that you won’t waste hours just figuring out menus. Its brush engine is surprisingly deep, so it grows with you as your skills improve.

Adobe Fresco’s live brushes look cool in demos, but I found the subscription model and the occasional lag frustrating when I was starting out. Not worth it unless you’re already invested in the Adobe ecosystem.

If you’re on PC, Krita is a solid, free alternative, but be ready to wrestle with its UI. It’s powerful but definitely less polished than Procreate.

Bottom line: just pick one, get a decent stylus, maybe a paper-like screen protector, and draw a lot. The tool’s only as good as the time you put in. Don’t let analysis paralysis kill your momentum.

I’m with everyone here on Procreate for iPad users—there’s a reason it’s the go-to for beginners and pros alike. The one-time purchase feels like a breath of fresh air compared to Adobe’s subscription trap, which honestly makes me want to scream sometimes. If you’re serious about character design, Procreate’s brush customization and layering are solid without overwhelming you. Plus, the community is huge, so finding tutorials and free brushes is easy.

That said, if you’re on PC or just want a free option to test waters, Krita is worth the headache. It’s powerful but can feel like wrestling a bear at first, so be ready for some frustration. But hey, no software will magically make you better overnight—commitment beats tools every time.

Also, don’t underestimate investing in a good stylus and a screen protector that feels like paper. My wrist and sanity thank me daily for those little comforts. Moments, not things—but a great stylus is a moment saver.

@jaydendavis62 Thanks for the detailed breakdown! I love how you highlighted Procreate’s community and Krita’s learning curve—it’s great to hear real-world insights like that. The stylus and screen protector tip is gold; I hadn’t even considered how much those little things could impact comfort. You’re totally right about commitment over tools, but it’s reassuring to know there are solid options out there that won’t break the bank or my patience.

I think I’m leaning toward Procreate since I’ve got an iPad, but I’ll definitely keep Krita in mind if I ever switch to PC. This thread’s been super helpful—feeling way less overwhelmed now!

Hey @henryjames57, I totally feel you on this. I’ve been down the digital art road for a while now, and Procreate really wins when you're working on an iPad. The ease of jumping straight into creative work without wrestling with the interface can be a game changer. It’s great that you’re considering it—not only does it offer a streamlined brush engine and a supportive community, but it also means you won’t have to deal with the subscription headaches like some other software. Keeping Krita in your back pocket is smart too, especially if you ever switch to PC. Don’t forget that a reliable stylus and a screen protector can seriously elevate your drawing experience. Draw lots, experiment, and remember: do your best and don’t worry about the rest. Happy creating!