Fourteen best mobile sketching apps.

Unleash your creativity with the best mobile sketching apps! Whether you need an app for sketching ideas, a robust sketchbook app for detailed work, or simple digital sketching software for quick idea generation, this list of fourteen top apps has you covered. We highlight key features like intuitive interfaces, powerful tools, and easy sharing options, helping you choose the perfect fit. Among our favorites are Sketchbook, its versatile features and intuitive interface; Drawing ideas. What to draw, its excellent prompt library; and Sketch a Day, a great option for daily creative practice.

Top app for sketching ideas

1. Sketchbook

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Cost: Sketchbook Free (Free), Sketchbook Premium (Subscription) (Unavailable - Varies by region and subscription duration. Check the app store for current pricing.)

Sketchbook isn't just another drawing app; it's a sketching ideas app that fuels creativity. Unlike other apps bogged down with confusing features, Sketchbook boasts a clean, intuitive interface that lets you focus on your art, not the software—backed by over 145 million downloads proving its popularity. Its huge variety of customizable brushes and tools, combined with features like layers and blend modes, give me the precise control I need for any project. Ultimately, the simple elegance and powerful functionality make Sketchbook the best choice for translating my ideas into stunning visuals.

Sketchbook - Professional-grade tools, Natural drawing experience

Key Features:

  • Intuitive interface for effortless sketching.
  • Vast brush library for diverse styles.
  • Layer support for complex artwork.

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2. Drawing ideas. What to draw

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"Drawing ideas. What to draw" is a handy sketching ideas app for mobile devices, offering a vast library of over 10,000 prompts to spark creativity and overcome artist's block. Its benefit lies in its diverse range of subjects and difficulty levels, catering to both beginners and experienced artists. While the app boasts a user-friendly interface and regular updates with new ideas (averaging 500 additions per month), a potential drawback is the lack of in-app sketching tools; users must utilize external drawing applications. Despite this, its extensive prompt database makes it a valuable resource for anyone seeking fresh sketching inspiration.

Drawing ideas. What to draw - Huge collection of ideas, Suitable for artists and creative people

Key Features:

  • Vast library of diverse drawing prompts.
  • Easy saving and sharing of favorites.
  • Simple interface for quick inspiration.

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3. Sketch a Day

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Cost: Free (Free), Premium ($2.99/month)

Sketch a Day is a handy sketching ideas app perfect for overcoming that "I don't know what to draw" feeling, providing daily prompts to jumpstart your creativity, much like a digital /r/SketchDaily. While the simple interface and prompt-driven approach are major pros, boosting motivation and helping beginners consistently practice, the app falls short in its social features; navigating comments and notifications is clunky, and the forced square photo editing is frustrating. Though tutorials are promised, they're currently lacking, relying instead on basic Google image searches. Despite these drawbacks, the core concept—providing fresh daily sketching ideas—makes it a worthwhile tool for many, earning it a solid, if not perfect, rating.

Sketch a Day - Daily drawing inspiration, Share and view others' work

Key Features:

  • Daily prompts for creative sketching inspiration.
  • Share your art with a supportive community.
  • Learn new techniques with helpful tutorials.

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4. Concepts

Download:

Cost: Free (Free), Concepts Unlimited ($9.99/month)

Concepts isn't just another sketching app; it's your mobile creative powerhouse. Unlike other apps that limit your canvas size or offer clunky editing, Concepts boasts an infinite canvas and incredibly precise vector-based drawing, meaning your sketches stay crisp even when zoomed in. Its intuitive tools, like the flexible "Nudge" function and layer management, allow for seamless workflow improvements, saving you time and frustration. With over 10 million downloads and consistently high user ratings (e.g., 4.7 stars on the App Store), Concepts is demonstrably a top choice for creatives wanting to take their ideas from sketch to polished project.

Concepts - Infinite canvas, Vector-based, Nudge, Slice, Select

Key Features:

  • Infinite canvas for boundless creativity.
  • Vector-based sketching for precise editing.
  • Intuitive tools for effortless idea exploration.

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5. Art Drawing Ideas

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Art Drawing Ideas is a sketching ideas app offering a collection of cool and beautiful drawing ideas, perfect for setting as wallpaper. While some users find the selection limited and the complexity challenging for absolute beginners, many praise its helpfulness and inspiring designs. Although the quantity of sketches might be a drawback for some, the app's strengths lie in its curated selection of visually appealing ideas that are easily downloadable and adaptable. Ultimately, its success depends on the user's skill level and expectations for a sketching ideas app.

Art Drawing Ideas - Endless drawing inspiration, Step-by-step tutorials

Key Features:

  • Extensive collection of drawing inspiration.
  • Step-by-step tutorials for various skill levels.
  • Easy navigation and user-friendly interface.

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Other sketching ideas app

The most important factors when choosing a sketching ideas app

Intuitive interface, ease of use, a wide range of brushes and tools, and seamless cloud syncing/backup.