Hello :) I wanted to ask if someone can recommend me some free drawing programs and drawing programs with costs? (do exist some drawing programs where i only have to pay once?) The only program i know is "Krita", but wonder what else is common to use.

Beside i would like to start drawing too and could need some advice how to start starting from scratch?

Thank you in advance!

edit: misread your post haha

Clip studio paint is currently a one time payment but I would look more into it because there was a time where they were going to make it subscription based. But I think Artist complained enough to make it stop.

Metibang is free a believe, Fire Alpaca too.

If you have an iPad Procreate is a really good one. I use it all the time and its one time purchase.

+1 on Procreate, I use this on my iPad! Controls take some getting used to, but it was relatively inexpensive for me as it was a one-time purchase, and has a lot of handy features.

If you're exclusively drawing on a computer, I recommend PaintTool Sai. I've tried other PC drawing programs like Fire Alpaca, Krita, and Clip Studio Paint. They're all good but I tended to gravitate more towards PaintTool Sai each time due to how easy it is to use.

Clip Studio Paint is a great investment though; iirc it has 3D models, comic templates, and loads of customizable brushes if you're into those.

Krita is a very solid program and it's free.

I've heard good stuff about Paint Tool Sai, but I'm on a Mac so have personally never used it since it's only available for PC. Otherwise, I agree with Clip Studio Paint which I've liked and Procreate for iPad. It's been reiterated but both programs are paid, though it's only a one-time fee.

I've never used Krita so can't say one way or the other, but I've also heard good things about that program too. I used to use Sketchbook Pro as well, but as far as I know it's no longer being updated, but it used to be owned by Autodesk, the same company that makes the 3-d modeling program Maya.

I would definitely recommend starting with free programs — no shame in playing around and seeing what you can accomplish without investing lots of money in the hobby, especially if you're just starting! For years, I exclusively used Microsoft Paint. I primarily use FireAlpaca now, and it's really good for a free option imo. :) It doesn't have as many tools as the paid programs, but I don't think you'll really feel the difference until you start getting to a more intermediate level with art. The important thing is just to find a program that feels comfortable to use and meets your specific needs, because everyone's art process is different.

As for general art advice when starting out, most importantly, find what you like to draw. It sounds simple, but a lot of people I think get bogged down when starting because they're drawing more of what they think they "should" draw as opposed to what they want to draw. Art is first and foremost for you, because you are your first and most consistent audience. c: In the beginning, just have fun with it!

Experiment with lots of things, draw whatever feels right, don't worry about perfection, and don't compare yourself to other artists. Play around for a while, and then when you notice things that you want to get better at, look up references for those things. It's okay to even trace reference images or other artists work, as long as you only use that as a learning tool and don't go around posting tracings and trying to pass them off as your own! Art is a lot of muscle memory, so tracing something can be more helpful than just referencing sometimes.

As I mentioned, everyone's art process is different, so don't take any art advice as fact. What works for some people won't work for others. ^^ If you have more questions about FireAlpaca, or art, I'll answer if I'm able!

Firealpaca, straight up. You can get the free version from their website for pc, though they have a paid version on Steam with a few more quality of life changes which rounded up is 28 dollars. It's like an easier version of Paint Tool Sai. I know Medibang is on phones, but it has a lot of ads since it's free iirc. Medibang on the pc, on the other hand, is rounded up 70. Dollars. Just... Do what you will with that information.

As far as advice goes, I will say this.

Sometimes you're gonna make "ugly" works. Aka, works you aren't proud of. It's just part of the process, and later on you can go back and remake them. Tracing is okay but don't pass it off as your own, and try to work with it in terms of shapes. They don't have to be actual shapes and can just be vague blobs, but doing just the outline won't do you favors.

Reference, reference, REFERENCE. DO NOT listen to the people who say to not use them. They may have photographic memory which, you know, good for them! But not everyone has it and it's also just flat out stupid.

There is no such thing as pose and/or color theft. Don't let the Deviantart ranters fool you. It's not a thing.

No idea is truly original, but what you do with the execution of the idea is original. Basically, don't worry about being original.

Do more than just straight, long hair. It's a process to learn how other hair types work, but once you get it down, you'll find you enjoy it much more than you thought!

And that's about all I have for my thoughts! You're going to do great out there.

Thank you so much for recommending! :) I decided to go with Clip Studio Paint!

That's true, it definetly is! :)

I will try FireAlpaca as well, thank you! :) Aw thank you so so much for your encouraging words! I'm not good at drawing but i would like to get some basic skills and becoming good. Thank you so much! I will come to back to you for questions! <3

Thank you so much for your lovely and encouraging words! <3 I decided to go with Clip Studio Paint and FireAlapace! I'm actually worried to begin with because i'm not good at drawing at all and colouring is a different story. I found a video or better said some videos that explained the exact same you said! But i think it's easy to find the right shape for everything i have in mind, like i don't have enough imagination for that. Maybe i'm just too impatient and should start and trust the process.

Wish you all happy luminaire! <3

Happy to help! A lot of people have the benefit of getting into art when they're younger, when they don't have a developed critical eye, so they just draw and don't think much about making it look good. Starting as an adult is a bit harder, because you're probably going to be heaps more critical of your early work than you would have if you started younger, but try not to get discouraged. ^_^ Even the best artists make "bad" art or stuff they aren't happy with, and it really is practice that gets them to where they are. My art was by no means pretty when I was just starting out, but I've gotten to a point where I actually like most of the stuff I make. I'm not the best, but I've come a long way, and you will too! <3

Also, this isn't art advice per se, but I wanted to mention that it's up to you how much you want to immerse yourself in the Art Community as you get into making art of your own. It has pros and cons, and everyone is different — I only really share my art on a small scale and mostly with friends, because I find that the art community puts a damper on my mood sometimes and creates unnecessary pressure, but for other people, having that sense of community is what motivates them to keep drawing and getting better. Play it by ear and find what balance works for you. :) Try not to place your worth as an artist on the approval or validation of other people, though!

Yay Clip Studio is a good one. Another fun fact about clip studio, it has 3d models and multiple ways to pose them. As you get better with drawing, the models help when you have a position in mind but can't really visualize it. You can also "draw over it" which is something webcomic artist have done.

My favorite program is Clip Studio Paint. Only the PC / Mac desktop version has a one time payment option. If you want to use Clip Studio on an ipad or a mobile device, then you have to sub monthly. However, since you are looking for free programs, I think Krita would be a good choice. I like the community because they believe in free art software for everyone, so you don't have to worry about random price hikes. :)

If you have some funds, try to get some sort of drawing tablet or device with pressure sensitivity. (Some phones and tablets already have this, like an ipad or Galaxy Note / Ultra.) I don't recommend trying to draw with a mouse or your finger on a phone. There are some affordable drawing tablets that work with desktops and laptops too.