Nowadays, the computer has already become an indispensable attribute of modern human life, and the functioning of the majority of industries is simply impossible to imagine without automated technologies. After all, the PC provides us with a huge number of different possibilities. In particular, it allows us to paint, and no worse than the best artists on canvas. To do this, initially you just need to figure out how to draw on a computer, what programs are used for this.
How and who can draw?
Absolutely any PC user can draw, and for this you do not need to have any talent or years of experience and education. Of course, the creation of masterpieces remains with the masters of their craft and gifted people, but at the same time, any ordinary user can also try himself in this art, having done something that could please many.
At the same time, in order to start doing this business, you first need to figure out how to draw on a computer. Thanks to the availability of specialized utilities, any user has the opportunity to draw anything, and for this there is a wide selection of specialized software, which is absolutely free.
Paint
Considering drawing utilities, the first thing to consider is the program of the Windows operating system itself that allows us to draw on a computer - Paint. In other words, in order to use this utility for drawing, you do not need to install anything additionally, you just need to go to the "Standard" section, then open the program and start drawing in a convenient way.
What are the benefits of Paint?
The main feature of this program is that it is extremely easy to learn, thanks to which even a beginner in the field of personal computers can understand it. The main functions of this program are the ability to draw with a brush or pencil, as well as filling the surface with a certain color and various editing of the picture, including cutting out fragments, resizing and much more. All this allows using the program even for those who are interested in how to draw cartoons on a computer. The functionality of this program, in principle, is sufficient to completely correct any minor errors in the drawing you made.
For this reason, if you are just starting to figure out how to paint on a computer, you should start with Paint.
Gimp
Gimp is a pretty popular graphics editor nowadays, as well as more powerful than the previous one, which, among other things, can also be used on portable graphics tablets and many other specialized devices.
With the help of this utility, you can significantly improve the color rendition of the image, increase the brightness in the pictures, and also easily cut out fragments from photographs that are unnecessary in your opinion. It is worth noting the fact that using this editor, you will not only figure out how to draw on a computer, but you can even cut site layouts, if necessary. The program allows you to save files in its own format, which has the .xcf tag. It provides full preservation of texts, textures, layers and other elements.
The utility provides users with a fairly wide functionality, in particular, this applies to the clipboard, due to which any picture can be instantly inserted into the program in a short period of time. If you do know even a little bit about the basics of programming, then Gimp provides you with ample opportunities in terms of creating your own plugins. In addition, the Gimp program also has the ability to archive the created images.
MyPaint
This graphic editor is more intended only for beginner artists. For this, an extremely simple and user-friendly interface was developed here, allowing even beginners to easily draw on a computer. The program offers a huge set of brushes, so you can fully realize yourself, drawing with this utility in the same way as on a real canvas. If we talk about the characteristic advantages of this editor, it is worth highlighting the following:
- It supports tablets, that is, you can not only draw on a computer, but also use this program on mobile gadgets, drawing in any place convenient for you.
- The ability to configure quick commands is provided, which allows advanced users to work with this utility much more quickly and conveniently.
- Huge variety of drawing tools. It also provides the ability to create or import additional tools, which is especially nice for those who are thinking how to learn to draw on a computer.
- The canvas has no boundaries, which allows you to fully realize some of your ideas. The only thing worth noting is that you still need to fit within certain frames if you want other users to be able to view the entire image on their monitors.
- The utility supports absolutely all operating systems common today.
Thanks to this, the program is actively used today by those people who prefer to draw on a computer.
Graffiti studio
Fans of the graffiti style will definitely appreciate a utility like Graffiti Studio. The simplicity, as well as the realism of this utility, make you fall in love with it literally at first sight. Users are offered the opportunity to choose from a number of different canvases, which can be used as buses, carriages, walls, as well as other surfaces popular among fans of this art.
It should be noted that the main panel of this program offers a fairly wide palette of colors. In addition, it provides the ability to use a wide variety of effects, including smudges, markers, compliance with a certain distance to the surface, and many other elements.
SmoothDraw
Using this graphic editor, the user can draw anything on the computer, as the program offers the broadest functionality regarding the creation and subsequent editing of various images. It should be noted that this utility is originally aimed specifically at drawing from a white sheet, and not at editing ready-made images.
The functionality of this utility offers a huge number of a wide variety of design and art tools, including all kinds of pencils, brushes, pens, pens, and many others. A distinctive feature of the program is an extremely clear and convenient interface, as well as the ability to work with tablets.
Artweaver
In terms of capabilities, as well as the functionality provided, this editor may well compete with the vaunted Adobe Photoshop, which today is recognized as the leader in its field, but is paid, and for this reason in our case it is not considered. This utility offers an imitation of painting with oil, paint, pencil, brush, chalk and any other tools, while providing the ability to work with different layers.
If we talk from the point of view of editing, here the utility allows you to compress or convert files to other formats.
PixBuilder Studio
"Mini-Photoshop" - this is how this utility is often called by many users who are interested in how to draw on a computer. The program provides a fairly large number of the most popular and most demanded today features and capabilities that paid Photoshop offers.
In particular, it is worth noting that this program provides a brightness and contrast editor, and also offers a fairly large number of tools that allow you to transform an image. Using PixBuilder, you can create a wide variety of complex images and objects, and special attention should be paid to the fact that the program has a very, very interesting function of blurring a picture, which further expands the boundaries for creativity. In particular, these effects will be important for those interested in how to draw anime on a computer.
In terms of image editing, the program offers the ability to resize and rotate or rotate the image. All this makes PixBuilder Studio one of the most successful image editing programs in existence today. Regardless of whether you are looking for how to draw a pony on a computer or how to make a full-fledged landscape, the program will provide you with the functionality you need.
Inkscape
Inkscape is a specialized vector image editor that is a completely free version of Corel Draw. This utility is designed to draw with vectors or directed segments, which is its distinctive feature. If we talk about the advantages of drawing in this format, it is worth highlighting that vector drawings absolutely do not lose quality in the event that the user decides to change the resolution.
However, most often such a utility is popular, of course, not among those who are looking for how to draw a pony on a computer, but more in the field of printing.
LiveBrush
LiveBrush is quite popular today due to the fact that it is one of the most understandable and simplest among all the utilities that exist today. The main distinguishing feature of the program is a fairly large number of possibilities for editing pictures, as well as the fact that in this case we draw with a computer using only a brush.
Of course, initially it may seem that using a single tool can somewhat reduce the user's capabilities, but in reality you can do with this program what you have not done with any other utility. Here, you can choose from a huge variety of both the brushes themselves and additional settings for them. If necessary, you can download a brush from the Internet yourself or even make one. It is worth noting that in this case, the term "brush" provides for a tool that can not only draw standard lines, but even think about how to draw cartoons on a computer. It is for this reason that those people who prefer to work with graphic portraits will certainly appreciate the capabilities of the described program.
Graphics tablet courtesy of the article
Background
It was in the evening, there was nothing to do and suddenly I remembered my old, already half-forgotten hobby - drawing. I never studied this lesson anywhere, just from an early age I loved to draw: first with felt-tip pens on the wallpaper, for which I received nuts from my parents; then with a pen and pencil on the margins of the notebooks, which the school teachers were no longer happy with. Unfortunately, I did not become a master artist, but I did learn to draw more or less nice sketches and cartoons.
That evening, after moving a little pencil over the album sheet, I thought that it would be cool not to scan paper drawings every time, but to create them directly on the PC. No sooner said than done: after trying heels of Windows programs for artists, I still found the only one in which you can draw good sketches even with a mouse. And after a couple of days I had the opportunity to draw with a graphic tablet and a pen, using much more functional software for this. There are a lot of impressions, but about everything in order.
Drawing with a mouse
There are two problems when drawing with a mouse: drawing a straight line is obtained from the tenth attempt, from which the second problem arises - the hand gets terribly tired. Therefore, most free art programs (Artweaver Free, MyPaint, Inkscape) are not suitable for drawing with a mouse.
And eliminates the "curvature of the hands" free application called LiveBrush Lite, which automatically converts the drawn "broken line" into a beautiful stroke. The official website of the program www.livebrush.com was not working at the time of this writing (development may have been suspended), but the installer can be easily found in software catalogs, for example, on the website www.softpedia.com.
LiveBrush Lite requires a set of Adobe AIR libraries. Each stroke is saved in the program as a separate layer, so complex drawings "eat up" half a gigabyte and more RAM.
By default, LiveBrush Lite uses a canvas that simulates slightly yellowed paper over time, and a working tool that is a cross between a thin brush and an ink pen. Both look extremely realistic, and even remember the pungent smell of mascara, familiar from drawing lessons.
As mentioned above, LiveBrush Lite converts curved strokes made with the mouse into smooth strokes. This operation, however, takes some time: after drawing a couple of twisted lines, sometimes you have to wait before the drawing appears on the virtual canvas. With a little practice, the drawings with the mouse start to turn out pretty decent.
Graphics tablet
The use of the mouse limited me, in fact, to one single drawing program. So soon I wanted to try drawing with a pen on a graphics tablet. For testing, I came across an inexpensive model Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch S, a review of which was previously published on our website.
Unfortunately, with the transition from mouse to tablet, drawings in the above-mentioned program LiveBrush Lite did not improve - the "auto-alignment" of strokes negatively affected small details. Fortunately, on the official Wacom website, I stumbled upon the mention of two applications for artists: Autodesk Sketchbook Express and ArtRage. Without hesitation, I downloaded and installed both of these programs (in the case of Artrage Studio, a trial version).
With the first program - Autodesk Sketchbook Express - I, frankly, did not succeed in making friends, even though it correctly handled different degrees of pen pressure. The lines still came out crooked, there was a delay (perhaps a preliminary adjustment is required). I already thought that the problem was in my lack of experience and the experiment failed, but still launched the second application - ArtRage ...
I ran the pen across the tablet - a line instantly appeared on the ArtRage canvas, and exactly the same that I would have received on paper. Joyful notes played in my soul. Scribbled with a pen a few more times - new "correct" lines appeared on the PC screen. And away we go! I stopped only after a couple of minutes, when the first completed sketch flaunted in the ArtRage window.
And while drawing the second sketch in ArtRage, I got used to another function of the pen - the eraser on its opposite end (I still could not draw the same horns on the knight's helmet). In a word, for a long time I have not received so many positive emotions from getting to know the gadget and software.
In the dry residue
As practice has shown, drawing on a PC is fun and interesting, and in some aspects it is easier than on paper. For example, to remove a bad stroke, just press the key combination Ctrl + Z. If you don't want to buy a graphics tablet, you can trust a regular mouse and the LiveBrush Lite application.
Paired with a tablet, it is better to use the ArtRage program or other professional solutions. The question of choosing a tablet brand is certainly not worth it, since Wacom is the undisputed leader in the industry. But remember that miracles do not happen: if you cannot draw even with a pencil on paper, then neither computer programs nor a graphic tablet with a pen will make you Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo.
Modern designers and artists use a graphics tablet to bring their amazing ideas to life. But if you do not yet have the opportunity to purchase it, be sure that you can draw equally beautiful pictures with the mouse. But at the same time, your mouse should be as comfortable and high quality as possible. This article discusses the main ways to answer the question of how to draw on a computer with a mouse?
The main nuances of drawing thin and smooth lines
Everyone who started drawing with a mouse in any graphic editor faced the fact that it is very difficult to make the first lines. How to learn to draw on a computer from scratch if the drawings get confused and become zigzag. You can fix this as follows:
- By increasing the "canvas". By increasing the scale of the document, it will be much easier for you to draw small details.
- Don't try to draw a long, solid line. Even with an increased scale, you will hardly be able to get it right. Better be patient and apply as many strokes and strokes as possible.
- If a drawing requires a straight line, then the editor undoubtedly has a special tool for this. You just need to adjust the thickness and color of the picture.
Drawing with a mouse on a computer will take you a lot of time, so you must be patient and make every effort to this.
Start with the easiest to study dreams
For starters, you can draw a luminous Christmas tree or a large snowman. The best basis for this will be simple geometric shapes. After you put the shapes in their places, adjusting the thickness and color, begin to carefully paint over them with the main color. Then try to add light and shade and small details.
Many people are mistaken that a powerful processor is required for normal drawing on a computer. For optimal functioning, the processor frequency of 1.5-2 GHz is enough for you. The choice between manufacturing companies is not fundamental, the amount of your funds is a decisive factor.
Main parameter your hardware for creating illustrations - the number random access memory... Working applications like Photoshop, Painter, OpenCanvas, or even 3d graphics applications require large amounts of "RAM".
If your goal is to create complex, multi-layered sketches, then you need to purchase as much RAM as possible for your computer (you can work more or less optimally, having from one gigabyte free RAM).
Video card from the latest current lines you will not need either. The manufacturer also does not play a special role, only your personal preferences. Among people who are engaged in computer illustration, design, etc. there is an opinion that the best video cards for this are created by Matrox, but this, of course, is exclusively subjective.
Painting equipment
Next, we should move on to one of the most important aspects of this type of art - the main equipment... It's worth starting with scanner, he performs one of the key roles, namely - transfers the picture depicted on paper to digital form.
I will give a simple example, you have drawn a tree and you need to transfer this tree to the forest. Scan the illustration, carry out a small stylization for the general image of the picture and transfer it in a separate layer to it, everything is ready, now your tree is in the right place.
The next essential part of the right graphic artist or designer is the tablet... Such equipment is created most often of two types - graphic and drawing... More about this.
Graphics tablet - has a small working area, creates a point that is coarser than the drawing and reacts to the force of pressure on the pen, which greatly facilitates the work. Using professional software like Adobe Photoshop, it is more convenient to use such a tablet with shades and brushes.
Drawing tablet - created for CAD programs such as AutoCAD, 3DMAXStudio, etc. Such a gadget does not feel pressure on the pen, the point is either there or not. Differs, often, very pleasant and high resolution and positioning accuracy.
In the case we are talking about, a graphics tablet is more suitable. Of course, it is better to buy more expensive ones, since they have a wider range of possibilities compared to cheap ones, but an ordinary one can also cope with its functions.
Another important but not required gadget is uninterruptible power system... None of us are protected from power outages, and we don't want to lose our hours of work. That is why it would be better to get yourself such an assistant so that you do not grieve over the lost hours later.
How to draw with a mouse
You can realize your creative urges without special gadgets, doing only mouse... This option is quite economical and simple, but then the task becomes hundreds of times more complicated, the lines become less even, and the operating time increases significantly.
This option takes place only if you set yourself the task of performing simple drawings, or you are unable to purchase the required equipment. Or, you just need to correct the scanned drawings.
As it was already possible to understand, it is impossible to become the correct artist on a computer with only one mouse, except in rare cases. People who are engaged in graphics usually say: "You can draw with a mouse, but you don't need to."
But for working with a tablet, it will also come in handy, here are the requirements for it standard - it should fit well in the hand and be comfortable, it would be nice to have a third button on the side, but this, one might say, is already redundant.
Drawing applications
There are many specialized software packages, from the simplest, like the standard Paint in Windows, to the complex ones, like Adobe Photoshop. We will tell you about some of the most popular ones.
Painter - one of the most functional. He quite simply imitates all the currently known and required materials for art, which allows him to expand the range of his capabilities. It is paid.
Adobe Photoshop - software created more for editing and processing photos than for art. But it has a huge storehouse of functions and materials. It has a huge number of filters, brushes and other add-ons. Also paid.
Corel draw - vector editor, less functional than the previous two reviewed, but free and has a normal, without excess, functionality.
Open Canvas - an editor similar to the leading programs in its field, but greatly simplified. It is recommended to start your acquaintance with computer drawing here. Pretty strong concedes "Flagships" in their field, but still has good features and is completely free.
Kits for computer graphics
Minimum set - mouse, computer, scanner, sheet of paper, pencil and graphic editor.
A very time consuming set, but allows you to create relatively high quality work. A sketch is created on paper, scanned, and processed. The result is good work with enough diligence.
Comfort set - mouse, scanner, computer, good graphic / vector editor and drawing set.
With the help of a vector editor, any curved lines can be correctly outlined. Also, with the normal ability to use drawing packages, you can create already good work. Mostly relevant only for vector editors.
Good set - a normal computer, a high-quality mouse (you can use a trackball) with a rug, a scanner, a graphics tablet and paid programs (at least one, preferably Photoshop)
With such a set, you can reach a fairly high level, the limitations are only in your skill.
Krita is such an advanced and functional drawing program that you can't believe that this is not a commercial product, but an open source development. This editor has support for layers, a huge number of brushes and tools, a bunch of different filters and effects.
Krita can be used to create digital painting, sketching, paintings, comics, and even hand-drawn stop-motion animation. The interface is conveniently customizable. Plus, Krita works great with graphics tablets.
Gimp
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
A powerful, flexible, customizable open source bitmap editor. True, the interface and hotkeys are peculiar here - artists accustomed to Photoshop will have to relearn.
GIMP has most of the tools available in Photoshop: layers, masks, color grading, smart selection, brushes, filters, and a host of other possibilities. Some of the missing ones can be screwed using third-party extensions.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
But this is already a tool for creating vector graphics - a free and open source analogue of Adobe Illustrator. It works well for creating logos, icons, web graphics, vector illustrations, and other design products.
Inkscape contains everything for comfortable creation and editing of vector images: color and texture management tools, layers, smart placement and alignment of objects, as well as the ability to vectorize bitmap images.
- Platforms: Windows.
This, of course, is not a full-fledged analogue of Photoshop, but rather the good old Paint on steroids, but it will be enough for amateur drawing.
It is because of its simplicity that Paint.NET is well suited for aspiring artists. Plus, it can work quickly even on devices.
Paint.NET supports working with layers and has a lot of effects. There are tools for blurring, styling, sharpening and noise suppression, and if desired, the program's capabilities can be expanded using plugins.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, web.
Gravit Designer is a fairly powerful and advanced, yet free vector graphics editor. It can be used to easily create icons, logos, banners and other images. The application has many tools: curves, layers, shapes, selection and transformation of objects, working with text and fonts.
In addition, there is a built-in library of vector objects created by users. You can freely use them in your own work. Another feature of the application: if you wish, you can run it without installation, right in the browser through the native Gravit web service.
Paid software for drawing on the computer
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
- Price: $ 49.99.
The editor is impressive in its capabilities. Customizable panels and keyboard shortcuts, a convenient canvas rotation system that makes it seem like you are drawing on real paper, compatibility with graphic tablets, shadow, glow, outline, bevel effects - just to list.
Affinity Designer is definitely worth a try for professional graphics and design professionals who don't want to overpay for Photoshop.
- Platforms: Windows.
- Price: $ 59.99.
A very peculiar drawing program that differs from the others presented here. BlackInk will allow you to paint incredible paintings with a rather unusual style. But what can I say, just take a look at the images created in the editor, and you will understand that it allows you to create art.
Instead of traditional approaches to creating raster images, BlackInk uses its own mechanism. The so-called Controller opens up unprecedented possibilities for customizing brushes. It is not easy to master, but the result will impress you.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
- Price: subscription from 644 rubles per month.
Photoshop is actually the standard in the world of computer graphics, the most popular program for artists, designers and photographers. There is no point in talking about the possibilities: if something can be done with the image, he will do it.
Because Photoshop is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, you can easily use your brushes, colors and styles on all devices - settings sync literally on the fly. In addition, there are tons of plugins created for Photoshop due to its popularity.
The only thing wrong with Adobe's brainchild is the subscription price. However, this was to be expected, because Photoshop is the most powerful and advanced of all raster editors in the world.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
- Price: 429 dollars.
Everyone knows Corel Draw - the most powerful professional vector graphics editor. But Corel has another brainchild - the Corel Painter raster editor, perfect for drawing. This editor has many handy tools for working with color, synthesizing textures and cloning objects, as well as brushes, canvases and layers.
This expensive but effective editor for sophisticated artists is definitely worth the money.
