First of all, hi everyone! New ipad (original) user here and overall new user to the apple technologies. I must say, I'm delighted!

So I want to use the iPad for casual drawing/painting (my favorite hobby) and after trying out Adobe Ideas I have to say I'm very satisfied with how responsive and amazing this device is for people like me. However, I felt that Ideas was kinda missing on some features and I've been meaning to pay for an app - either Brushes or Sketchbook Pro.

I don't think price is a concern since drawing will be one of the main things I do on the pad so I'll pretty much make it worthwhile. However, there are certain key features I'm looking for:

• Paintbucket tool - easy way to do solid, basic fill.
• Layers.
• "Clear Image" button - easy way to quickly erase everything in my current canvas.

What I am wondering is, does either Brushes or Sketchbook Pro meet all of these requirements? I'm leaning towards Brushes as from what I've read it's more user friendly but I could change my mind if it doesn't have these features.

Thanks in advance,
EtonB.

In Brushes you have to clear the individual layers. Other than that they both have all the features you want.

Each app works a little different. I solve the which app to buy with money, and buy them all, or at least the ones that look good.

Go ahead and start with Brushes if you want something simple, then if it is missing extras you'd like get SketchBook, which is as about full featured as they come.

All my art apps in order of most loved/used:

SketchBook
ArtRage
Brushes
Color Pencils (specialized)
Layers Pro

Thanks for your response!

Now I'm leaning more towards Sketchbook Pro if it is indeed a more complete package. I thought of another possibility and was wondering if it existed on either app... can you open a picture as a layer so you can draw over it?

Try ArtRage, it does everything you want and more!

There are layers (all able to set visibility and effect) plus a separate function to add any artwork you have as a tracing layer. I love the tools because you can not only set transparency individually for them but when they mix on the same layer it's just like with real media where they can mix to make another color and you can use the palette tool to push and or smear it around. The ink pen is excellent and has many settings including a smoothing function that will automatically smooth wobbly/crooked lines from 0 to 100%! Very useful for getting smooth shapes!

The tools pallet and color pallet also have the neat feature of being able to disappear while you're drawing so they aren't in the way. Guess you can tell I love this program? I stopped looking for art programs after I got this one because it had all the features and more that I use.

Originally Posted by etonb

Thanks for your response!
... can you open a picture as a layer so you can draw over it?

Yes.

Guess I now have an app of choice. Thanks for your responses.

No problem. BTW, I agree with fairythere about ArtRage. It's another must have art program. The two programs are different enough to make it worth owning both.

Sketchbook Pro and Art Rage are the best, IMHO. I use them both.

Michael "Spam, spam, bacon, eggs and spam. Hold the bacon and eggs." Sent from my iPad 2 using iPF

I'm a Sketchbook Pro fan after having tried brushes and a few others. It just seems to have more features.

Originally Posted by fairythere

Try ArtRage, it does everything you want and more!

I second Artrage.

I have the free Sketchbook.

Apples and oranges though.

Artrage is amazing for doing paintings. Mixing oil paint on canvas. Insta dry on/off feature is every painters dream!

It has layers and paint bucket.

How real the mixing and blending of paint is what I love.

All apps I've tried drawing with does have a lag, i heard ipad 2 has drawing lag to.

It's not enough to effect too much.

But the lag is no biggy for paint. Drawing the lag is a bit annoying.

I wonder if ipad 3 will have no lag and pressure sensitivity.

Why can't develops use the accelerator adjust sensitivity?