SketchBook Express - iPad Drawing App
Exploring Digital Art on the iPad: A SketchBook Express Review
Upon acquiring my iPad, a desire to explore its creative potential through drawing and sketching quickly arose. Despite lacking formal artistic training – my drawing skills are admittedly rudimentary – the iPad’s capabilities seemed to inherently encourage artistic experimentation.
Initially, my search centered around locating complimentary drawing applications. However, the freely available options proved largely unsatisfactory.
I began to consider investing in a professional-grade application, such as SketchBook Pro, though it appeared to be an excessive solution for my needs.
Discovering SketchBook Express
Fortunately, my search led me to SketchBook Express, a completely free drawing app for the iPad. This application distinguishes itself by being entirely ad-free, enhancing the user experience significantly.
The versatility of SketchBook Express extends beyond the iPad, as it is also accessible on a variety of operating systems, including Mac, iOS, and Android.
This review will specifically concentrate on the iPad implementation of the software.
SketchBookX, as it is sometimes known, provides a surprisingly robust set of features for a free application.
- It offers a clean and intuitive interface.
- The app supports multiple layers.
- A wide range of brushes and tools are included.
For those seeking a no-cost entry point into digital art on the iPad, SketchBook Express represents an excellent choice.
Drawing Tools: An Overview of Brushes
At the core of any digital art application lie its brushes, and this app provides a comprehensive selection. Access to these tools is readily available through either tapping the brush icon located at the top of the interface or by performing a three-finger downward swipe.
Within the brush menu, users can explore a diverse range of brush types, adjust parameters like size and color, and control opacity levels. A convenient eye-dropper tool is also included, enabling the effortless reuse of existing colors directly from the canvas.
Brush Customization and Expansion
The small white preview window positioned at the top of the screen dynamically displays the appearance of the currently selected brush. This allows for immediate visual feedback during brush selection.
While the application remains ad-free, options exist for expanding the brush library. Users can either upgrade to the Pro version or purchase individual brush packs for $0.99 – a relatively affordable option.
Quick Brush Adjustments
Once a brush is selected, revisiting the full brush screen isn’t necessary for basic modifications. A small circular icon at the bottom of the screen provides quick access to essential brush properties.
From this panel, opacity can be adjusted by swiping vertically with a single finger, and brush size can be altered by swiping horizontally. It’s important to note that these adjustments are limited to the characteristics of the chosen brush type.
For instance, selecting a highlighter will inherently result in a degree of transparency, even when the opacity is maximized to 1.00.
Line and Shape Options
Like most drawing applications, this tool offers choices between freehand lines, perfectly straight lines, and pre-defined shapes.
The range of readily available shapes is somewhat limited, lacking complex, intricate designs. However, alternative methods for creating such shapes are incorporated into the application’s functionality.
Symmetry Drawing for Precision
Tapping the symmetry drawing icon at the top of the screen activates a mirroring effect. Every stroke made will be instantly duplicated in a symmetrical fashion.
This feature facilitates the creation of balanced and precise shapes, eliminating concerns about asymmetry or distortion. As demonstrated, it’s an effective method for drawing features like lips with perfect symmetry.
Working with Layers and Text
Access the layers manager by swiping upwards with three fingers or by selecting the layers icon. This allows you to both add new layers and modify the properties of existing ones. Furthermore, images can be incorporated into distinct layers as needed.
Each layer within your artwork remains independently editable, irrespective of the status of other layers. A layer can also be concealed from view using the eye icon – selecting it will toggle its visibility.
Attempting to draw on a hidden layer will be unsuccessful. However, the layer can be instantly made visible again.
The true power of layers lies in their independent control. For example, create a flower and a bee on separate layers. This enables you to adjust each element individually.
You can then modify their size, position, rotation, and other attributes without affecting the other element.
Consider how this initial arrangement can be transformed:
Layer editing extends beyond basic transformations. Anchor points can be established to facilitate image manipulation around specific points.
Images can be flipped, rotated, and altered in numerous ways, offering substantial flexibility in creative endeavors.
A text layer can also be added to your artwork. Selecting the text icon at the top of the screen will bring up a keyboard.
Alongside standard keys, you’ll find controls for adjusting the color, size, font, and opacity of your text.
Begin typing the desired text for your drawing.
The text is automatically generated as a separate layer, allowing you to manipulate it just like any other layer in your composition.
Exporting and Importing Artwork
All created drawings are stored within the application's gallery. This centralized location allows for easy access to your work.
From the gallery, you have several options: viewing, duplicating, deleting, and exporting your drawings.
Export Options
If a printer is configured, you can immediately produce a physical copy of your artwork. Alternatively, drawings can be exported directly to your device’s photo library.
Importing Photos for Editing
SketchBookX provides the functionality to modify existing photographs. Users can import images from their photo library directly into the application.
Once imported, these photos become canvases for creative exploration and digital manipulation.
Zoom Functionality
The image above demonstrates the use of the zoom feature. Zooming is achieved through a simple two-finger pinch gesture.
This gesture is universally applicable to all drawings and images within the application, not solely to imported photos.
Creative Applications
Drawings and text can be seamlessly integrated onto imported images. This allows for the creation of personalized greeting cards or simply artistic experimentation.
Final Thoughts
SketchBookX stands out as a truly exceptional drawing application for the iPad. Should I pursue a career in art, the subscription-based version would undoubtedly be a strong contender for my investment. Even with the free functionalities demonstrated, I anticipate this app will fulfill my needs for several months of exploration and practice.
It's likely I have only begun to uncover the full potential offered by this software.
Are you seeking additional free drawing applications? Consider exploring these three complimentary doodling apps designed for the iPad.
Do you have knowledge of a superior drawing app? Or perhaps you'd like to recount your personal experiences with SketchBook? We eagerly await your feedback and contributions in the comments section!
