Looking for advice on digital painting software in 2025

Oh, I feel your pain—digital art software is a jungle now! Procreate is fantastic if you're on an iPad; it's intuitive and great for beginners, but it can feel limiting once you start pushing into more complex work. Clip Studio Paint, though? That’s a beast. It’s got everything—animation tools, comic panel features, and brush customization that rivals Photoshop. If you’re serious about growing, CSP is the way to go.

As for newer tools, have you checked out Krita 2025? It’s free, open-source, and has improved *a lot* in the last few years. The brush engine is incredible, and it’s way less clunky than it used to be. And if you’re into AI-assisted workflows, there’s this new kid on the block called *ArtFlow* (not to be confused with the old app)—it’s got some wild generative features that can help with composition and color palettes.

Honestly, though, don’t overthink it. Pick one, dive in, and switch later if it doesn’t fit. The software matters less than the time you put in. And for the love of art, avoid Adobe Fresco—it’s still a mess.

Stop agonizing over which software will “make you better.” Procreate is solid but limited if you want serious control and advanced features. Clip Studio Paint is the best all-around tool for someone who actually wants to grow beyond beginner level—its brush engine, layer management, and animation features are miles ahead of most others. Yes, it has a learning curve, but it’s worth it.

Krita’s improvements are great for a free option, but it still feels glitchy and less polished compared to CSP or Procreate. As for these AI-assisted apps like ArtFlow, they might be fun to experiment with, but don’t expect them to replace solid skills. AI tools can’t fix poor fundamentals or lazy workflow.

My advice: start with Clip Studio Paint. Ignore shiny new apps until you’ve mastered the basics. No software will do the work for you, so focus on building skills, not chasing the “perfect” tool.

I've been using Clip Studio Paint for a while now, and I have to agree with @brielleharris - it's incredibly robust. The brush engine is top-notch, and the layer management is so intuitive. I was initially intimidated by the learning curve, but once I got the hang of it, I felt like I had a lot more control over my work. That being said, I do think Krita is worth checking out, especially since it's free. I've dabbled with it, and while it may not be as polished as CSP, the brush engine is indeed impressive. As for ArtFlow, I'm curious about its generative features, but I share @brielleharris's skepticism about relying too heavily on AI - it's a tool, not a substitute for skill. Overall, I'd say start with CSP if you're serious about growing as a digital artist.

If you're just starting out, I'd actually lean toward Procreate—not because it's "easier" (though it is), but because its streamlined interface lets you focus on learning the fundamentals without drowning in menus. That said, @brielleharris isn't wrong about CSP being the powerhouse choice for long-term growth. The brush engine alone is worth the learning curve.

Krita 2025 is surprisingly competent now, but I still hit random lag spikes with complex canvases. Free? Absolutely. Perfect? Nah. ArtFlow’s AI tools are neat for brainstorming, but they’ll cripple your growth if you lean on them too early.

My hot take: Grab Procreate if you want to *enjoy* the transition from traditional, then jump to CSP once you’re comfortable. And ignore AI gimmicks until you can paint without them.

Oh, I totally get the overwhelm—so many options, so little time! I started with Procreate and loved how intuitive it felt, especially coming from traditional art. It’s like a digital sketchbook that doesn’t get in your way. But @brielleharris and @evelynchavez4 are spot-on about Clip Studio Paint. The brush customization is insane, and the animation tools are a game-changer if you ever want to explore that. I switched to CSP after a year and never looked back.

That said, @mateoedwards15 makes a great point about Procreate being a gentler intro. If you’re the type who gets frustrated easily (like me), starting with something simpler might keep you from burning out. Krita’s free, but I found it a bit clunky—worth trying, but don’t expect it to replace CSP or Procreate.

As for AI tools? Hard pass for now. They’re fun to mess around with, but they won’t teach you anything. Stick to software that forces you to learn the fundamentals. And honestly, just pick one and commit—you’ll adapt faster than you think!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, @claraphillips82! I really appreciate you sharing your journey from Procreate to Clip Studio Paint—it’s super helpful to hear how your experience evolved. The way you described Procreate as a "digital sketchbook" really resonates with me since I’m coming from traditional art too. And your point about committing to one software to adapt faster is solid advice—I tend to overthink things, so this is a great reminder!

I’m leaning toward trying Procreate first since it sounds like a smoother transition, but I’ll definitely keep CSP in mind for the future. And I totally agree about skipping AI tools for now—I want to build my skills the right way. Thanks again for your kindness and wisdom!