Feeling a bit overwhelmed when you look at the blank page on your Mac and wanting to learn how to draw? Don’t fear! It’s totally achievable, and once you understand the basics – you’ll find that drawing on a Mac could be easier, quicker, and even more convenient than drawing on paper. Here’s a step-by-step guide on How To Draw on a Mac – and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional artist or a complete beginner.
1. Choose the Right Software
The first thing you’ll need to do to get started with your drawing adventure is to choose the right software. Fortunately, as a Mac user you’ve got access to an impressive range of painting, drawing and illustration software. So, make sure you’re familiar with your software before you get started by researching tutorials online.
If you’re just getting started, Sketchbook is a great choice for its user-friendly interface and wealth of features. Then, for digital drawing newcomers who’d like to learn a few new skills and up their drawing game, Procreate is a great option – it combines a wealth of features with its own range of drawing tutorials.
2. Choose the Right Drawing Pen
The next step on your journey to mastering digital drawing is finding the right drawing pen. And thankfully there’s a huge range of pens that can be used with Mac drawing software, so you can find one that’s perfect for your drawing style.
For the most precise and realistic drawing, consider investing in a Wacom, Cintiq, or Huion tablet. While if you’d prefer something light, portable and cost effective, then you might want to consider a stylus and tablet combo instead.The key is to enjoy experimenting with different pens and tracks until you find the one that’s ideal for your drawing style.
3. Get to Grips With Your Tools
The best way to get to grips with your tools is to just get stuck in and practice! Start by learning the various pen, brush and colour tools the software has to offer (in the beginning it’s best to keep it simple and just familiarise yourself with each tool). Explore how each tool behaves – different brushes give different lines, different weights and shades – and try combining them together to develop your own favourite techniques.
As a Mac user you’ve got another advantage: the multitasking capabilities of OS X. These allow you to easily switch between your drawing program and your Mac’s browser to find tutorials, art blog posts and social sites filled with inspiring artwork from other artists. So have fun exploring, experimenting, and finding what works for you!
4. Don’t Let Uncertainty Stop You
Digital drawing can be daunting for beginners – and it can be difficult to keep up your motivation in the beginning. That’s why it’s important to focus on the positives – like the amazing works of art you’ll create – and to keep practicing!
At the end of each drawing session, take a few minutes to look back at what you created, sit with it, and feel proud of what you’ve achieved. Digital drawing can be incredibly enjoyable, and as you develop, you’ll find that you truly start to get into flow and feel the creativity coursing through your veins!
5. Take Time to Explore Paint Effects
Painting with a pen can feel uncomfortable at first, but with a little practice you’ll soon be able to really explore painting effects and make your art much more dynamic and realistic. To get a feel for paint effects, focus on the brush tools in your software and again, experiment. Then, if you’re serious about taking your painting to the next level, investigate if there are any tools like layer masks or opacity sliders you can use to give your painting a unique twist.
Learning the basics of painting with a pen on a Mac can be really difficult – you have to understand the way the pen interacts with the software, and it takes time. But don’t worry – once you master the basics, you’ll be able to create exceptional artwork with ease. So don’t give up on your digital drawing dreams – get practicing and your creativity will blossom!
