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15 Best Free Drawing Software For Windows

We are living in an era dominated by digitalization. With the advancement of technology, everything is now digital. People depend on computers for literally everything.

Modern-day artists also have leveled up their game and have come out of the traditional method of drawing. Paper canvas is now replaced by drawing software. What had a humble beginning for drawing software has come a long way.

Drawing software is very valuable, especially for aspiring artists. Now you may ask what drawing software is. To put it in simple words, drawing software is an advanced application with built-in tools that make the process of drawing, photo editing, graphic designing more effortless than ever.

If you are looking for software that won’t cost you a penny, keep reading this article on 15 Best Free Drawing Software For Windows.

Best Free Drawing Software For Windows

1. Krita

Krita is a free, flexible, open-source drawing software that works well within the windows. Krita was initially released in 2005 and is considered the best option for freelance and digital artists with negligible revenue.

The interface is user friendly, and the panel is customizable. The brush engine is Krita’s signature aspect and has nine brush engines that help create different textures and patterns. Even Krita allows users to import and export brushes from other paint stools.

2. Clip Studio Paint 

Clip Studio Paint is universal all-purpose drawing software. It was released in 2012 and is preferred by professionals as it offers complete freedom to the users. It has vector tools, smooth blending tools, coloring options, and a wide variety of customizable brushes.

The software lets you do illustrations, animations, manga, and comics. Clip Studio Paint is helpful in 3D models and 2D images. And the last version of Clip Studio Paint also offers animation features. 

3. Sketchpad

Although Sketchpad has a pro version that is paid, its regular version is entirely free for its users. Sketchpad is very old and was released in 1963; however, its recent update lets you do everything you want.

Sketchpad is suitable for students and teachers who want versatile drawing software. Sketchpad is used to create simple sketches and illustrated arts with grid vanishing abilities.

Sketchpad has 18+ brush options to choose from in 14 customizable shapes. There’s no need to download the application, and you can easily access it by visiting the website.

4. Microsoft Paint 3D

Everyone knows about Microsoft Paint, an in-built paint tool offered with Windows. The latest version of Windows, Windows 10, has a unique in-built Microsoft Paint in 3D. This offers more advanced drawing than any other traditional painting tool. It is kid-friendly and more secure.

Microsoft Paint 3D lets a user do animation, doodling and has various finishes such as matte, dull metal, polished metal, gloss, etc.

To create a 3D object, either a user can import the model from the displayed options or draw their own shape and turn it into a 3D model. A user can use these 3D objects in other Microsoft apps.

5. FireAlpaca

FireAlpaca is a digital painting software that allows users to modify and customize the drawing tool as per their wishes. FireAlpaca was launched in 2008 and included ten different languages so that even a novice can use it without any problem.

FireAlpaca features innovative hassle-free, detailed sketching and detailed images. A user can rotate, zoom and flip the brush as their requirement. It has a built-in animation toolset that supports the PSD file format. FireAlpaca’s unique snap feature creates comics and storyboards. 

6. Inkscape

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector drawing software that supports various formats.  Inkscape was released in 2003 with a large set of tools useful for drawing and editing images. The Clone Tool allows a user to clone anything literally.

The new version of Inkscape has spray and measure tools.  Under the filter menu, there are 18 preinstalled categories with simple UI.

Inkscape helps to create logos, icons, sketches, and supports node editing. Inkscape supports SVG format and makes measurable graphics that don’t get blurred after resizing. 

7. GIMP

GIMP is one of the oldest and most revolutionary drawing software released in 1995. It is customizable open-source and is quite a popular drawing tool.

GIMP allows a user to soften the noise, make color corrections, use brushes gradients, make collage posters, create layers, masks, color grading, intelligent selection, etc.

It is packed with features and tools which offer remarkable image editing. The full-screen mode of GIMP allows editing while using most of the screen. GIMP supports PSD files, third-party extensions, or plugins. 

8. PixBuilderStudio

PixBuilderStudio is a free drawing software with a straightforward and convenient UI. It was released in 2016 with built-in high-quality effects, image resizing, rotating, and crop function.

The color brightness and contrast management of PixBuilderStudio allows for balance and manipulation of the images. Its unique features include a stamp tool, clone tool, and healing brush tool.

The multi-layer selection option allows a user to group the layers. The updated version of PixBuilderStudio can draw complex raster shapes and apply effects for complex areas. 

9. Artweaver Free

Artweaver Free is a free drawing software designed for all ages; however, it is especially loved by children due to its simple UI. It was released in 2009.

Artweaver Free offers realistic digital drawings with ultra-realistic brush effects. It has many brushes like Conte brushes, acrylic fibers, calligraphy pens, and airbrushes.

Artweaver Free is layer-based and supports multiple layers at the same time. It helps produce complex images and import and export them in various formats. The updated version has more types of brushes that give a realistic effect. 

10. Gravit

Gravit is a free vector-based drawing software compatible with Windows. Gravit was launched in 2005 and since then it has been a clear favorite. In Gravit, all types of designing are possible, including icon designs, presentations, illustrations, and animations.

Gravit allows online designing, and a user can export PDF, SVG, or bitmap formats. The most special feature of Gravit is its ability to create backups every 5 minutes and save them to the Cloud.

Gravit’s library of free vectors allows crop images, add masks, perform blending and resizing, add filters for designing interfaces, and create layouts for web pages.

11. Vectr

Vectr is a new drawing software launched in 2019. As its name suggests, it is a vector-based drawing tool to create cards, brochures, logos, icons, and other digital illustrations with fewer details.

There are 28 preinstalled designs within it. The pen tool of Vectr helps to draw, fill and do strokes without any difficulty. The gradient tool helps in manipulating colors and vectors. The interface of Vectr is easy and can be used by kids. Vectr is versatile and offers professional results.

12. MediBang Paint

MediBang Paint is a free drawing software specially designed for painting released in 2014. Professionals mainly use it to create comics, manga, and other illustrations for its realistic effects.

MediBang Paint is multi-layered, has a smooth workflow, easy comic panel, and good community support. With 800 pre-installed backgrounds and anime-themed templates, a user can do anything you want.

It has a simple UI, and the brush helps to create realistic effects. MediBang Paint supports PSD file format, and the critical advantage is that it lets a user automatically save their work in the Cloud.

13. My Paint

My Paint is simple, free drawing software used for Windows. Most digital editors use My Paint as it is an open-source graphic editor launched in 2017. It has a simple, easy to comprehend user interface.

The full-screen view of My Paint lets you see minor, negligible aspects. Its customizable drawing tools include 2B pencil, Watercolor, 4H Pencil sketch, airbrush, sponge, ball pen, blending, spray, and imitates the effect of pencils, paints, ink, and charcoal.

My Paint features layer management, pressure-sensitive drawing, and basic color adjustments.

14. Corel Painter

Corel Painter is a free painting software launched in 2000. Corel Painter offers flexible solutions to digital drawing. With an array of professional drawing tools like customizable brushes, various paper textures, oil palettes, watercolor palettes, Corel Painter reduces the effort of its user.

In just three simple steps, this software helps to create impressive animation. The search tool makes it easy to search for any brush on an urgent basis. Also, a user can experiment and mix and match different brushes to create a realistic drawing.

15. Mischief

Mischief is a free pen-based drawing software with the ability to create eye-catching animation. The effects of Mischief are similar and mimic the effects created by an actual pencil drawing.

Mischief is created for people who are keen on details as it has an infinite canvas and zoom feature that lets users dock the brush as per their requirements.

Mischief comes with three brush options, window opacity, and the ability to import images from other tools. The updated interface of Mischief offers multi-touch support and has two new custom color pallets.

So, here ends our list of 15 Best Free Drawing Software For Windows. We hope, with this, your search for good software has ended. In case you have anything to share or add, feel free to use the comment box.

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