Can You Use Ipad for Drawing
I make no secret of the fact that I am an iPad fan. In fact, that's putting it mildly – I absolutely love my iPad tablet, and use it all the time for drawing – both on the go and in the studio. In fact, so many people have seen me with it that I hear the same question again and again – Which iPad is the best for drawing?
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If you are in a hurry, below is a quick answer. If you have a bit more time, just scroll down to explore.
Best iPad for drawing if money is no object:
My Pick
Best iPad for drawing if you are on a budget
Affordable Pick
Table of Contents
I am also asked what iPad artists actually use and which iPad is best for Procreate and artwork.
I myself am fortunate enough to have and use an iPad Pro, with its amazing Liquid Retina display, and to me it seems like a no-brainer.
If you can afford the iPad Pro, you get the iPad Pro.
So, as much to force me out of my own blinded-by-love mindset as much as to help others make a decision as to which iPad is right for them, I thought it would be a lot of fun to compare the four basic iPad models:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch
- Standard / Regular iPad 10.2 inch
- iPad Air 10.9 inch
- iPad Mini 8.3 inch
In my review of the best Apple iPad to use for digital art in 2021, I have opted in each case for the largest amount of storage memory.
I have always found that my saved files tend to pile up, and even when I take the time to organize, archive and back them up I still like having a lot of them with me on the tablet, for reference or inspiration or as a kind of super-portable portfolio to show potential clients.
But to be clear, if you have a concern about budget, and are sill wondering which iPad you should buy – for example, a 32 GB or a 128 GB Standard iPad, either will perform at the same level, and the only difference will be in how many files you can store on them and how many layers you can work with in programs like Procreate.
I have also used a few different drawing and digital art programs in my comparison of the different Apple iPads currently available, including:
- Procreate
- Adobe Fresco and Adobe Illustrator Draw
- Inspire Pro
- Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo
- MediBang
Overview: The Best iPad for Drawing in 2021
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Current iPad Models Technical Specifications
First, let's get the technical stuff out of the way, followed by me giving some of my own basic impressions related to those specifications, and then my experience using each of these tablets for drawing.
Hopefully along the way we can answer some basic questions:
- Which iPad is the best tablet for artists?
- Is Apple iPad a good tablet for drawing?
- Which iPad is the best for drawing?
- Which iPad should you buy?
- Is 128 GB enough for iPad Pro artist
- Is 64 GB enough for iPad Air artist
As I understand resolution relative to size, three of the tablets in my iPad comparison – the iPad Pro, the iPad Standard and the iPad Air – have the same relative resolution, which is extremely high – around 265 pixels per inch.
The smaller iPad Mini actually has the highest relative resolution, with nearly 325 pixels per inch.
This bears out in use too – the Mini, for such a small screen, actually displays quite well.
Everything is smaller, but I felt like I was seeing pretty much as much detail as I was with the larger iPads – the Standard and the Air, at least; the iPad Pro is kind of another story.
The iPad Pro has a clearly superior display on all counts – quite a statement, considering how brilliant the display is on the other three!
With the iPad Pro I always feel like I am just seeing more detail, more (and more accurate) colors and a more coherent and complete overall picture of whatever image is on the screen.
As an artist, this gives me a level of engagement and of confidence which lets me think less and worry less, and concentrate more on the art, with a certainty that what I'm doing is also what I'm seeing.
Everything just clicks, without any second guessing or repeated efforts, and my mind is more empty and focused.
The Mini and the Air have apparently clearer images than the Standard, though the numbers don't quite explain why, and the Air has truer colors, which are also more vivid and energetic, and has better transition and shading between colors, less apparent false color interaction and more true differentiation between colors and shades.
The numbers do indicate that the iPad Pro has better brightness than the other three, and this is also my experience.
It's not just that, though, but something about the Liquid Retina screen which – apart from very expensive professional tablets – is the best I've ever seen.
The iPad Pro's screen makes all images not just bright but energetic and alive.
There is a depth and a kind of geometric accuracy and rightness which I can't even put into words, but which I always feel when using the iPad Pro – this comes through with the others as well, for sure, but not quite on the same level.
But, that said, all four screens are beautiful.
I would be happy with, and could do my work on, any of them with great success and satisfaction.
They all offer more than sufficient resolution, brightness, color accuracy and range and light accuracy and range.
In fact, they are all superb in each of these areas, and provide a display suitable for the most demanding professional or fine artist.
It is my perfectionism, and the joy of knowing and feeling that I am closer to my vision and my work, which makes the iPad Pro my clear favorite.
This is a truly special display and, truth be told, it is not just its accuracy which makes me more confident.
The iPad Pro's splendid screen always makes my artwork look so good!
If I were going to rank the four current models to determine which Apple iPad has the best display, I would do so as follows:
Which iPad has The Best Display for Drawing?
My Pick
- Superior Color Accuracy
- Superior Apparent Resolution
- Superior Brightness and Life
- Bottom Line: The most accurate display of my art and my work, and thus the most useful
Affordable Pick
- Best in Class Color Accuracy
- Superb Apparent Resolution
- Superb Brightness and Life
- Bottom Line: For significantly less money, this is a really impressive and imminently usable display – not, though, reaching the level of the iPad Pro.
NEW Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi, 256GB)
8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display with True Tone and wide Color
A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
64GB | 256GB; Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Best in Class Color Accuracy
- Superior Apparent Resolution
- Superb Brightness and Life
- Bottom Line: For a smaller screen, this is an incredibly good display, and if you can work on a smaller surface it will offer a near perfect representation of what you are doing
Newest model
NEW Apple 10.2-inch iPad (WiFi, 256GB)
10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone; A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
8MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
Up to 256GB storage; Different colors
- Excellent Color Accuracy
- Superior Apparent Resolution
- Excellent Brightness and Life
- Bottom Line: Even when it has equivalent specifications, the Standard iPad seems less accurate and less engaging than its siblings, but compared to any other brand or operating system this is an incredibly good display
How do the iPads Perform: Colors, Accuracy, Latency, and Glare?
But enough about how they look – how do they work?
This question should be somewhat qualified, since for an artist the display is of utmost importance.
Really, you need to see colors, relationships, shading and dynamic range, errors and issues – all of it – with true accuracy, or your work may not, well, work.
But the same is true when you're moving a stylus around on the screen, and the same word is perfectly suited here as well – accuracy.
When I'm working I know just how wide a line needs to be, just how dense shading should be, at just which angle a perspective element needs to be, the exact spatial relationship between elements, the perfect size of this or that object, on and on.
Hopefully I'm not actually thinking about any of those things, but I do know – in fact, the more I think, the less I know.
Wow, that sounds all Zen and stuff…
Accuracy, to me, means that when I'm working I can accomplish all of those things with absolute precision.
If I tilt my pen, or apply more or less pressure, I want the pen to respond with perfect precision and perfect reliability and repeatability.
When I lay the pen onto the screen, I want the dot, the beginning of the line, whatever I'm doing, to appear instantly and precisely where I put the nib.
As soon as these things don't happen, I lose my flow, get back in my head, start second guessing my tablet and pen (maybe even myself and what I'm doing) and will have to start over – maybe even several steps earlier.
I can't emphasize enough how vitally important an accurate, responsive, reliable and predictable pen to screen interaction is!
How are the iPads for Latency?
I have spent a lot of time with these four tablets, and can honestly say that they all perform splendidly in all of these regards.
Each of them offers superb performance as regards latency – that is, there was never any significant delay between the movement of my hand and stylus and the appearance and development of the image on the screen.
That said, there is an almost imperceptible difference between iPad models in this regard.
The iPad Pro 12.9 inch, perhaps because of its ProMotion technology, superior processor and increased RAM, was absolutely perfect in this regard.
I never once had to even think about it. When I moved my hand, the image always kept right up with me – at any speed, with any color or intensity, and no matter how large or complex the file or drawing.
The Air and Mini were also absolutely top-notch. If there was even the slightest issue with latency, it was never enough to pop me out of my flow.
And the same could be said about the Standard iPad, although I did notice a tiny lag sometimes, particularly with fast motions and larger files or particularly complex images.
How is the iPad Display for Drawing?
I've already talked a bit about color range and accuracy, but in actually drawing on the screen this becomes a pretty big deal.
I recently wrote an article comparing two popular plug-in (that is, not portable) drawing tablets – Huion vs Wacom – Which One is Better: 2021 Comparison – and in it I mentioned the need, with inferior tablets, to keep looking away from the tablet and onto my MacBook's screen to check for the actual color, as opposed to the slightly off color the tablet might be displaying.
With a stand-alone tablet, though, you can't do that.
The tablet is running the whole show, and you don't have a better monitor in front of you to make sure everything is as you want it.
Luckily, as far as color accuracy, range and subtlety, all of the models in our buyer's guide for the best Apple iPads for drawing were absolutely great.
I worked with confidence with all four of them, feeling like I was seeing on the screen what I was seeing in my head, and that all of the colors looked right.
The 12.9 inch iPad Pro, however, was slightly better in this respect.
Forgetting about the numbers and features, and instead referencing my familiarity with standard colors, my experience and, to be honest, my beloved MacBook Pro and its best-ever color display, the iPad Pro was always spot on.
This too allows me to just flow uninterrupted in my work, and makes my sessions better and more enjoyable.
How are the iPads with Glare and Parallax?
A couple of other factors in allowing me to really get into my work and create with true spontaneity – or prevent me from same – are glare and parallax.
Glare, obviously, is the reflection of light from behind or above which makes the screen difficult to see and can obscure detail.
Parallax is the difference between where the pen's nib touches the screen and where the corresponding created image appears – the less, the better, and for some artists the only acceptable amount is none.
Three of the iPads in this buyer's guide – the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini – have anti-reflective coating and fully laminated screens, which reduce glare and parallax respectively. I have to say, though, that this was not much of an issue for me with any of these tablets, including the Standard iPad.
When I compared the iPad directly with the other iPads there was definitely a glare, and when I was doing fine detail drawing, or working underneath brighter studio lights, it was sometimes an issue.
The iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini had no such issues with glare, and all four of them (especially the iPad Pro) have such nice, bright screens that the finest detail, the thinnest lines or faintest outlines were easily visible.
The anti-reflective coating on the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini does seem to offer a tiny bit more resistance, which allows for slightly more control with the hard nib on either the Apple Pencil or the Wacom Bamboo Sketch – not a big deal, but it did allow my drawings that slight increase of detail and subtlety, and me a little more confidence and control while drawing.
These three tablets also have fully laminated screens, which are said to reduce parallax – and again, parallax is the difference between where the stylus's nib touches the screen when you're drawing and where the line you're creating actually appears, a difference which tends to increase towards the edge of the screen.
Here I have to say that I couldn't tell much difference at all.
All four Apple tablets, which really do seem to be engineered and designed with artists and their work in mind, really have accurate, sensitive and responsive pencil-screen interaction, and parallax never once made me pause.
Conclusion: Which iPad is The Best for Digital Art?
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My Pick
A truly superior tablet for drawing and digital art, the iPad Pro 12.9 inch does everything nearly perfectly.
- Accurate, bright and engaging display of color, details, geometry, depth, light and shadow
- Essentially flawless and totally controllable interaction between pen and screen (and so between me and the tablet)
- Light, sturdy and with a quality build
- Great feeling and handy stylus (the Apple Pencil II)
It all adds up to make drawing on the iPad Pro a pure joy. I can do more, do it more quickly and enjoy the work more, and my artwork not only looks better, but thanks to the iPad Pro it actually is better
My Recommendation: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch with 1 TB
Affordable Pick
Admittedly not quite at the level of the best-ever Apple iPad Pro, the iPad Air is nonetheless an enormously satisfying tablet, which will allow any artist, on any level, to work to their full potential – and then some.
A stunning display, quick and responsive interface and, again, the legendary Apple fit and finish – at its lower price level, clearly the best choice on the market.
My Recommendation: Apple iPad Air with 256 GB
NEW Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi, 256GB)
8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display with True Tone and wide Color
A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
64GB | 256GB; Up to 10 hours of battery life
Offering performance, interaction and accuracy at the same level as the iPad Air, the Mini is another truly superior tablet for drawing or any kind of digital art.
It is not that much less expensive, though, and the smaller screen is certainly somewhat less usable, so unless you must have the smallest unit, I would opt for the iPad Air.
Either way, though, you can't lose!
My Recommendation: Apple iPad Mini with 256 GB
Newest model
NEW Apple 10.2-inch iPad (WiFi, 256GB)
10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone; A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
8MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
Up to 256GB storage; Different colors
The lower rating I've given to the Standard iPad is relative to the other three models – and it does offer slightly lower levels of performance and satisfaction compared to those incredible tablets.
When compared to other brands/operating systems, though, the Apple iPad feels, looks and acts better and, in my opinion is a superior tablet for drawing and digital art – and for many other things.
My Recommendation: Apple iPad 10.2 Inch with 256 GB
Bonus: Which Apple Pencil is The Best for my iPad?
Please remember that none of the tablets in my list of Best iPads for Drawing in 2021 come with a pencil or stylus, which must be purchased separately.
While the Apple Pencil (for the older iPad models) or Apple Pencil 2 (for the newest iPad Pro/Air/Mini models) may seem like the obvious and default choice, there is at least one excellent alternative.
There are, in fact, several pencils, or styluses (or, if you like, styli) available for the iPads, and if you're wondering which Apple Pencil is best for the Apple iPad, here is a very brief roundup.
I am including only the two best choices, and have for now omitted any that aren't specifically designed for Apple, or any that have had performance or compatibility issues.
I will soon write a more thorough review and comparison of the best stylus to use with an Apple iPad, but now just the basics:
Apple Pencil (2nd)
Second Generation Apple Pencil
Compatible with iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, and 5th generations), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations)
Pros
- Improved feel (flat edge)
- Improved finish (matte finish stays looking nicer)
- Programmable button for switching functions
- Handy magnetic storage/charging
- Low Latency Pressure and Tilt Sensitive
Cons
- Gets lost
Bottom Line: A better and more useful Apple Pencil, with an even more natural feel. The programmable button is incredibly useful and natural once you get used to it. If you're getting an iPad Pro, this is the best Apple option.
Apple Pencil (1st)
First Generation Apple Pencil
Compatible with: iPad (6th, 7th, 8th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Pros
- Compatible with all models on our 2021 iPad buyer's guide
- Great feel
- Hard nib is accurate and predictable
- Low Latency
- Pressure and Tilt Sensitive
Cons
- Gets Lost
- Not as easy to charge
Bottom Line: A great Apple Pencil for older iPads, accurate and responsive, suitable for the most demanding work or the most discerning artist.
Pros
- Great Battery Life
- Fully compatible with all of the iPads on this buyer's guide
- Solid and comfortable
- Dual tip
- Tilt recognition & Palm rejection
- Automatic pairing
Cons
- No pressure sensitivity
Bottom Line: The Zagg Pro Stylus is a great alternative to the Apple Pencil, and for a lot less money. If budget is the main concern, this is a clear choice, but lack of pressure sensitivity will make it a non-starter for many artists, and overall the Apple Pencils are still the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about iPad for Drawing
Which iPad is Best for Digital Art?
All iPads are wonderful for digital art, but for the best display and screen-to-pen interaction, the best performance and the most creatively conducive experience overall I highly recommend the Apple iPad Pro, which is Apple's flagship tablet and the standard choice for high level commercial and fine artists all around the world The iPad Air also has the same superb Liquid Retina display, and while it doesn't have quite the level of performance of the Pro it is also an excellent choice.
Is an iPad Worth it for Drawing?
Yes, an iPad is definitely worth it for drawing. They have wonderful screens that work perfectly with the Apple Pencil and there is all kinds of great art software available. The iPad seems designed for artists and their needs, and is one of the very best, most useful and valuable investments any artist can make. My favorite is the superb Apple iPad Pro, but the more affordable iPad Air and even the standard iPad are also excellent choices.
Which iPad is Best for Drawing Beginners?
The iPad Air has the superb Liquid Retina display screen offered on the flagship iPad Pro, but is quite a bit less expensive. It is a great tablet for any artist to start with, and as you learn and grow as an artist the Air will grow with you, and can easily handle higher level work. It is also a perfect general use tablet – easy to use and quite powerful – and a beautifully made product.
Can You Use a Regular iPad for Drawing?
Yes, the inexpensive standard iPad is great for drawing, painting and other kinds of artwork, and a wonderful tablet overall. There are advantages to the more expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro, but the regular iPad is a superb tablet for art and general use, and an extremely well made premium quality product.
Is 32GB iPad Enough for Drawing?
Yes, 32GB of storage is perfectly fine for drawing, but you should remember that you cannot expand the storage memory on an iPad. You might need more storage for more complex artworks (with many layers), animation, video and other work, or for your photos and music, and it is always best to get as much storage as you can afford at the start. At any rate, even the new standard iPad, in its least expensive basic configuration, comes with a minimum of 64GB storage.
Do Professional Artists Use iPad Pro?
Yes, the Apple iPad Pro is the art tool of choice for professional artists, illustrators, animators and designers all around the world – largely because of the beautiful display screen, the superb screen-pencil interaction with the Apple Pencil, and great art software available. It is also an extremely well built product, which can easily handle the rigors and continuous use a professional artist might subject it to. If you have to work with Windows, the superb Wacom MobileStudio Pro is the standard for professional artists on that platform.
Is Apple iPad Pro Good for Drawing?
Yes, definitely! The Apple iPad Pro is in my opinion the best choice on the market today for drawing, with its superb Liquid Retina display that interfaces with perfect precision and real creative flow with the Apple Pencil. The iPad Pro is also perfect for any other kind of artwork and is a great general use tablet and a truly premium product.
Is iPad Pro Good for Illustrators?
Yes, the Apple iPad Pro is perfect for illustrators and their work, with an accurate and beautiful Liquid Retina display screen which works with extreme precision and wonderful flow with the Apple Pencil. The iPad Pro is equally good for any other type of creative work as well, is a fantastic tablet for general use and a well designed and well made product in every way.
Is iPad Good for Digital Art?
Yes, any Apple iPad – from the standard iPad to the Apple iPad Pro – is a perfect choice for digital art and digital artists. iPads have beautiful and highly accurate display screens, work with the best art software available and offer incredible precision coupled with wonderful creative flow – especially with the wonderful Apple Pencil – and they are all well-made premium tablets that are great for general use as well.
Other articles in the Drawing Tablets series:
- Best iPad for Procreate in 2021
- Best Standalone Drawing Tablet in 2021
- Best Animation Tablet in 2021
- Best Tablet for Photoshop in 2021
- Best Android Tablet for Drawing in 2021
- Best Cheap Drawing Tablet with Screen in 2021
- Best Drawing Tablet for Kids in 2021
- Best Note Taking Tablet in 2021
- Wacom Tablet vs iPad Pro
- Huion vs Wacom – Which Tablet is Better?
Source: https://artsideoflife.com/best-ipad-drawing/