Drawing on the iPad: A Manifesto for Creators of All Ages
For the beginners among us, taking a pen to the iPad can be a little intimidating. But with the right techniques and a few practice strokes, you’ll soon be creating masterpieces worthy of the Louvre. Take it from us; pencils and iPads are a game-changing power couple and, with a few helpful tips, you too can master the iPad’s art.
Start with the Basics
If you’re just entering the wide world of iPad drawing, start with the basics. Masking tape is your friend here, helping you to form the foundation of your drawings. With the right set-up, it’s easy to keep your iPad clean and organised, so dirt and smudges don’t impede your creativity. Once your tablet is masked off, you’re ready to grab a drawing tool, like a pencil or stylus, and start sketching.
Finesse it
After putting down the ground work, you’ll want to get busy adding to your masterpiece. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment with Fineline tools and Apple Pencils. If you’re trying to go for a particular style, you can use the Eraser tool for precision, or Pick Color for customized hues. Don’t be afraid to brush out of the lines, either- the iPad lets you finesse with some more creative tools like Glitter and Paintbrush.
Get Social
Once you’ve got the basics mastered and your masterpiece is complete, it’s time to get sharing. It’s simple; save to a cloud, upload to social media, or send via email. iPad drawing encourages collaboration, comment and conversation with friends, family, co-workers and the world. Plus, it’s great to get out of the creative funk and get your work noticed. And if you ever want to change the look of your art, there’s always the easy “undo” button which can help you start again.
Go Green with Online Art Supplies
Time to get resourceful and cut down on waste. With online art supplies, you can save money and prevent excess garbage. When shopping for art supplies, you don’t even have to leave the house. You can get your materials and tools in one fell swoop, thanks to sites like Amazon and Etsy. Even better, these sites offer eco-friendly paper and recycled materials so you don’t have to worry about supporting environmentally damaging practices.
Be Experimental with Drawing Apps
Ready to take your art to the next level? Download drawing apps to inject a unique twist or zest. What’s great about apps is that they’re always changing and evolving to meet the needs of the users. Apps like Adobe Illustrator Draw or Procreate Pocket let you experiment with colors, shapes and effects, creating layers and blending colors like a pro. Alternatively, if you’re hoping for a more realistic painting experience, try out apps like UMake Design and Pencil-Point Paint.
Expand Your Drawing Repertoire
Finally, if you’re looking to make an impact with your iPad art, why not take a course in digital painting? It’ll help you master the basics of color theory and design. You might also want to look into traditional painting and drawing lessons, to perfect your skills and refine your style.
Leverage the Cloud
We all know that cloud storage is greats for saving the digital versions of your best works. When managing art, cloud systems like OneDrive or iCloud are perfect for organized, super fast access. Not only can you save your archived work in the cloud, but you can also access it from any device.
Try Out Digital Storytelling
Ready for your iPad drawings to come to life? With animation programs like Blender and Toon Boom, you can take your art and craft it into an exciting animated story. Plus, with these digital platforms, you can add in soundtracks and special effects to create a truly captivating experience.
Try Drawing with Natural Media
There’s something special about drawing with natural media. Solid colored charcoal sticks, wax crayons, pastels and even pen and ink are perfect for adding that vintage, personal touch. Not to mention, they all still work with the iPad’s touch screen as well.
Host a Gallery
Finally, why not show off your iPad art to the world? With apps like ArtGallery and Photoshop Sketch, you can create your own online art gallery. Hang your best works, invite viewers and make your creativity open to the public.
