Head to our Apple Prime Day deals 2022 hub where we’re keeping track of all the latest info and offers as they come in. 01. iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021) The best iPad for drawing overall Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels Weight: 682g Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB Rear cameras: 12MP, 10 MP, TOF 3D LiDAR Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at very.co.uk (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Premium screen + Superfast processor + Generous storage options Reasons to avoid – Big outlay
Unless you’re going to be doing a lot of professional drawing work, it is probably more computing and display power than you need, and in that case, a cheaper tablet on this list will likely prove to be the better choice.
02. iPad Pro 11-inch (M1, 2021) The best 11-inch iPad for drawing Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 11-inch Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels Weight: 466g Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB Rear cameras: 12MP, 10 MP, TOF 3D LiDAR Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at very.co.uk (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Superfast processor + Generous storage + More portable than 12.9 version Reasons to avoid – Inferior screen to 12.9 version A few compromises accompany the smaller screen size – it’s not the fancy mini-LED version – but there’s no need to panic; it’s still excellent, with P3 wide colour gamut, an anti-reflective coating, True Tone and ProMotion. In our full review, we found that it struck a good balance between being a useful surface area while also keeping the tablet lightweight and portable enough to be used on the go.
The combination of a featherlight touch and top-end sensitivity means that drawing on the tablet just feels incredibly natural and smooth. If you want the speed of an iPad Pro and don’t need the luxurious screen spread of the biggest version, this is an outstanding choice.
03. iPad Mini (2021) The best iPad for drawing on the move Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 8.3 inch Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels Weight: 293-297g Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm OS: iPadOS 15 CPU: A15 Bionic Storage: 64/256GB Rear camera: 12MP Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at AO.com (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Very portable + Lovely screen + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Smaller screen not for everyone 04. iPad Air 5 (2022) Get pro-like features for less Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 10.9-inch Resolution: 2350 x 1640 Weight: 461g Dimensions: 247.6×178.5×6.1mm OS: iPadOS 15.4 CPU: M1 Storage: 64GB/256GB Rear camera: 12 MP Front camera: 12 MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at very.co.uk (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Same M1 chip as the 2021 Pros + Good-sized display + Supports Apple Pencil 2 Reasons to avoid – Some may prefer iPad Pro That said, it can’t compete with the brightness levels of the Pro 12.9, and the 60Hz refresh rate (rather than 120Hz with the Pros) means it takes slightly longer for your drawing to appear on the screen. 05. iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) Save money on a 12.9 iPad with the previous generation Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2732 x 2048 Weight: 639g Dimensions: 280.4 x 214.8 x 5.8 mm OS: iOS 13.4 CPU: A12Z Bionic Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB Rear cameras: 12 MP, 10 MP, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner Front camera: 8 MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + High-res screen + Large display + Supports Apple Pencil 2 Reasons to avoid – Lacks M1 chip
The 2020 model lacks the Mini LED screen and the M1 chip of the current version, but it’s still a potent and capable device and doesn’t cost as much. So for example, if you’re looking to use some heavy-duty 3D software, and need the fastest processor possible; or are doing work where a high degree of colour accuracy is super-important, it might be worth investing in the 2021 model. For everybody else, though, the 2020 iteration is an excellent choice for digital drawing, with the exact same screen dimensions and high resolution (2732 x 2048) as its pricier successor, and support for the Apple Pencil 2.
06. iPad Air 4 (2020) The best value iPad for drawing Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 10.9-inch Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels Weight: 458g Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: A14 Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB Rear cameras: 12MP Front camera: 7MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent value + Good battery life + Supports Apple Pencil 2 Reasons to avoid – 60Hz screen response rate
And with strong levels of battery life, screen resolution and processor performance, and a couple of good cameras, this is the best value iPad for general use, too. 07. iPad 10.2-inch (9th Gen) The best cheap iPad for drawing Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 1 Screen size: 10.2-inch Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels Weight: 487g (Wi-Fi only); 498g (Wi-Fi+cellular) Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm OS: iPadOS 15 CPU: Apple A13 Bionic Storage: 64/256GB Rear camera: 8MP Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals Preorder at Laptops Direct (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Good battery life + Excellent value Reasons to avoid – Basic tablet – Doesn’t support Apple Pencil 2 This is also the first model in the 10.2-inch range to offer True Tone support, which is Apple’s technology that adjusts colour balance depending on the quality of light in the room. The initial Apple Pencil is a fine stylus and does the job well enough, but the lack of built-in controls is a pain, as is the clumsy charging system.
08. iPad Mini (2019) The best iPad for drawing if you want a smaller screen on the cheap Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 1 Screen size: 7.9-inch Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels Weight: 304g Dimensions: 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: A12 Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB Rear cameras: 8MP Front camera: 7MP Today’s Best Deals Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Very portable + Excellent value Reasons to avoid – Doesn’t support Apple Pencil 2 – Less power than later models
Processing power: Newer (and more expensive) iPads have faster processors, and are capable of handling more complex tasks without stutter or slowdown. Drawing is not the most intensive task that an iPad can perform, so this may well not be a factor – however, if you are working with super-high resolution files, then it’s going to be very important that your tablet can load and display them correctly.
Should you get an iPad or a drawing tablet?
Well, obviously iPads are general-use tablets that tie into the Apple ecosystem, allowing you to check emails, do online shopping, access apps, and much more. The compact size and mobility of the iPad allows users to work on projects wherever they are instead of requiring them to sit at a computer.
Graphics tablets come with a stylus or pen with removable tips and have far more pressure sensitivity levels than iPads, allowing artists to have more brush stroke variation as determined by how hard they push the pen to the screen. – Simple drawing pads that connect to a computer and are typically less expensive than other options.
Pen displays – Feature a screen that you draw on but must be connected to a computer to supplement the necessary amount of power. They cost a bit more, but being able to draw directly on your art instead of staring at a computer monitor with your hand on a separate pen pad is really convenient.
– Feature a screen that you draw on but must be connected to a computer to supplement the necessary amount of power. They cost a bit more, but being able to draw directly on your art instead of staring at a computer monitor with your hand on a separate pen pad is really convenient.
Pen computers – Standalone machines that feature HD displays and don’t need to be connected to other devices to function. However, the trade-off here is that drawing tablets aren’t nearly as portable since they either need to be connected to a computer or can be too bulky for easy mobile use.
Wacom is the big name in the drawing tablet world and as such, products by this company tend to be the very best you can buy, but also the most expensive. That being said, there are plenty of other brands that don’t cost as much while still offering powerful features and conveniences.
Since these devices connect to computers, they are compatible with far more programs since you’re not at the mercy of a simplified drawing app. Many graphics tablets also have customizable shortcut keys near the drawing area that you can program your most accessed commands to for easy use. Who should buy this: People who need access to more intensive programs to make more controlled projects. I recommend going for the newer Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) because it’s just so much more convenient to use and I personally think it feels better in my hands. For one thing, it has a flat side making it easier to grasp in your hand, which gives you more minute control over your strokes. In addition to working better, it has a magnetic side that sticks to the iPad and can even wirelessly charge up that way.
This version features a removable cap at the bottom that protects a lightning dongle. To charge it, you’ll either need to purchase a separate pen charger or stick it into your iPad’s lightning port.
Apple Pencil (1st Gen) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Newegg (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) The Apple Pencil has a rechargeable internal battery and can be juiced back up by plugging the lighting dongle into a lightning port.
2020 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Standing next to the most powerful iPads offered by Apple, this device offers plenty of conveniences and works with the new and improved Apple Pencil.
Xp Pen Artist 22 Gen 2 Review Gengar (Image credit: Jez Corden / iMore) There are 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, customizable shortcut keys, and it’s wireless.
XP-Pen Artist22E Pro Check Amazon (opens in new tab) With its 21.5-inch HD display and impressive 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, the XP-Pen Artist 22E Pro can really give you the control you need over your projects. Plus it has 8192 pressure sensitivity levels, comes with an adjustable kickstand, and comes with a Wacom Pro Pen 2. Now that you’ve determined to either go with an iPad, a graphics tablet, or both, you’re ready to start making some awesome art. Both the iPad and graphics tablets have their pros and cons, it’s just a matter of determining what your own preferences are.
Best Apple iPad For Digital Drawing in 2022 (+ Video) — MishkinArt
Another big update is that the powerful and impressive M1 chip is now in the iPad Pro, making it the fastest device of its kind and bringing the performance of the iPad Pro to a whole new level. However, there is also a small catch – as of right now, it is very clear if Apple allows using all RAM for application needs. But to be honest, the Apple Pencil 2 is already is the best stylus on the market today for artists, designers, creators, or anyone who prefers hand-written notes. And while it would be fun to see what Apple can come up with to improve this pencil, I am not complaining that it did not happen this year. Don’t get me wrong, this iPad is the best of the best, and I would definitely suggest it to anyone who does their work – illustration, video editing, photography – on iPad because you won’t find a better tablet explicitly made for creators. It would work excellent for professional and full-time artists, designers, and illustrators.
Best iPad for Drawing and Artists in 2022
The most crucial specifications for any iPad artist are memory (RAM), storage, size, resolution, and battery. RAM, measured in gigabytes (GB), is a temporary type of memory used by your iPad to store data it’s working on at the moment so it can access them very quickly. Because of my illustration process, I like to work with many layers, and the newest iPad Pro gives me a lot of flexibility and doesn’t limit me when drawing.
Screenshot: Iva’s iPad Pro 12.9 with 512GB storage and 8GB RAM allows for 116 layers in Procreate in size A4 at 300 DPI – Source: ©Art Side of Life Screenshot: Iva’s iPad Pro 12.9 with 512GB storage and 8GB RAM allows for 56 layers in Procreate in size A3 at 300 DPI – Source: ©Art Side of Life Now, storage, measured in gigabytes (GB) as well, doesn’t directly affect the drawing experience on your iPad. I think the battery is only important if you, like me, like to draw on the go; in public transport, in a cafe, or on a hike, where you don’t have a readily available power outlet. My iPad Pro 12.9″ lasts for about 5-6 hours of drawing in Procreate before I need to recharge it or plug it into a power outlet!
When I think of Apple Pencil and my new iPad, I always think of one of the most memorable lines from the movie Forrest Gump: “we were like peas and carrots” 😊.
My Pick NEW Apple iPad Pro (12.9″, WiFi, 512GB) The best iPad for drawing and Procreate Apple M1 Processor for next-level performance :: 12.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, and brightness :: Light and extremely strong :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Early 2021 model Get it on Amazon With its stunning XDR Liquid Retina display, supported by the powerful M1 processor, and an impeccable overall design, this is the best art tablet on the market today. I suspect that Apple’s XDR (extended dynamic range) technology – which only the iPad Pro has – is the reason behind the 12.9’s incredibly accurate screen.
In actual use, this increase in visibility, accuracy, and expressiveness makes me work with so much more confidence and certainty, with less strain and more natural creative flow. I can work in greater detail, with more precision, and with much stronger and more effective control over colors and gradients, light and shadow, and even composition and relationships. Especially important to me as an artist is color accuracy – and the iPad Pro is as good as it gets in this regard – but all of these factors are ultra-important to me and my work every day.
I should also mention that the iPad Pro – and here, I also include the 11-inch model – has such a fast processor and such an ideally made work surface that the pen-to-screen experience and the flow and speed of images appearing on the screen as I work are second to none – always instantaneous and without any parallax, glitches or delays.
For me, though, I find that 8GB to be plenty for even more complex artwork and larger files, but I do recommend at least a 512GB SSD drive – it is so nice to have a bit of a portable portfolio with me all of the time, as well as lots of works in progress and newly finished pieces. The screen-to-pen interaction is essentially the same as with the bigger Pro, as are the anti-glare treatment and the strong, light construction of the fully laminated screen.
For commercial and fine artists, photographers, videographers, and technical artists, it is also important to note that the Apple iPad Pro 11 inch has the same configuration options as the 12.9-inch version – and, just as with the bigger Pro, I would recommend an ideal setup of 8 GB RAM and a larger 512 GB internal SSD drive, as you will find HERE . Affordable Pick NEW Apple iPad Air (10.9″, WiFi, 256GB) Best iPad for drawing and Procreate if you are on a budget or you are a student / beginner Latest M1 processor :: 10.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, brightness :: Light & extremely strong :: Premium fit & finish :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Early 2022 model Get it on Amazon
It is also a great way for somebody working in traditional media – like painting on canvas or drawing on paper – to transition to digital art.
This is due largely to the ideal pen-to-screen interaction you get, the always consistent and glitch-free flow of lines as your pen moves, the speed, and the total lack of problems – even with big and complex art files and images – that the M1 processor, with its lightning-fast processing speed, offers. And again, the ability to work confidently and wholly fall into creation is also due to the sheer accuracy of the display. For some, it may well be, but the iPad Pro can be configured with a lot more RAM memory to ensure the biggest and most complex pieces and projects can be loaded and worked on with no issues.
The iPad Pro also has an internal storage of up to 2 TB, in case you’re digitally rendering, I don’t know, the entire world. In contrast, the iPad Air has a maximum internal storage of 256 GB – plenty enough for most people but a bit limiting for some top-tier professionals. Still, like any Apple product, the iPad Air is a very well-made and reliable tablet, sure to give years of trouble-free service.
Portable NEW Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi, 256GB) Best cheapest and smallest iPad I recommend for drawing and Procreate Apple A15 Processor for Best-in-Class Performance :: 8.3 inch Liquid Retina Display for Superior Color, Contrast, Brightness :: Light and Extremely Strong :: Premium Fit and Finish :: Up to 10 Hours Battery Life
Because the Mini has a true Liquid Retina display – not as bright as the iPad Pro tablets, but just as intense, energetic, accurate, and beautiful as the more expensive Air, and sharper than any of them! It can be considered by any artist or creator on any level – especially if you don’t need a ton of memory, if you want a very small and most portable iPad, or if you are looking for the perfect second or backup art tablet.
The touch screen works so beautifully with the Apple Pencil (which you have to buy separately), with that ideal combination of effortless flow and feedback, which allows you to fall into fully natural motion and gestures when you are painting and drawing – really extraordinary expressivity and total control. The processor is not as fast as the M1 chip in the higher-up iPad models – the Air and the two Pros – and it only has 4 GB of memory, but for most artists, this is not a concern.
And even though the screen is a lot smaller with this compact iPad, it is again so incredibly bright and sharp, so alive, that it is much easier and more effective working on the Mini than on any other tablet of the same size. Basic model NEW Apple 10.2-inch iPad (WiFi, 256GB) Often overlooked iPad, but an affordable gem for Artists Apple A13 Processor for Fast, Reliable Performance :: 10.2 inch Retina Display for Excellent Color, Contrast, Brightness :: Light and Extremely Strong :: Premium Fit and Finish :: All Day Battery Life
No, the least expensive iPad is not a match for the other Apple tablets – it has a slower processor, less memory, less color range and accuracy, and a bit less life in the displayed image. However, it has resolution and sharpness on the level of almost any other iPad – even the Pro – and a remarkably detailed and deep touchscreen display that is easy and fun to work on and that can serve even the most demanding artists quite well.
Don’t forget to always check the app requirements on the developer website before you purchase a renewed iPad, though! In my experience, iPad Pro and Air models that are 2-3 years old still support Procreate and are a perfect alternative if you are on a budget! How they feel in your hand and on the screen puts them in a completely different class than any other Apple-compatible digital stylus I’ve used. Lis cet article en français 🇫🇷 Le meilleur iPad pour dessiner
An illustrator’s review of iPad Pro VS Wacom. Plus my favourite drawing apps.
Portable and easy to use, iPad Pro helped me draw and deliver illustrations while on the aeroplane, on the beach, in bed and in beautiful cafes around the globe.
Artist compares: iPad Pro vs iPad Air for Drawing
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate EssentialPicks earn from qualifying purchases. Last year with the 4th generation upgrade, the iPad Air caught the attention of the artist community. It not only got a massive design overhaul (narrow bezels) which made it look and feel very much like iPad Pro, but it also got support for the Second generation of Apple Pencil. This was big news for digital artists – as they now have the option to get a top-of-the-line drawing experience without necessarily spending top dollars. Well, for most general users, you can say getting an iPad Air is a better choice over the Pro model – as you get almost 90 percent of the features at a considerably cheaper price. Having 100 more nits makes iPad Pro a slightly better option for people who often find themselves using their tablet outdoors. The mini-LED backlight consists of thousands of small LEDs which can be controlled and turned on and off at will. This gives you deeper blacks and better contrast, improving the color output of the screen. In simple terms, it means when you are drawing with your stylus the iPad Air’s display refreshes and updates the screen 60 times a second. When drawing on these two tables and comparing them in real life, you can definitely notice the iPad Pro (120 Hz) feels more fluid and satisfying. Here is the same footage in slow motion which shows the difference in latency much more clearly (Play video). As you can see in the footage above, the lines drawn by the Apple Pencil on iPad Pro are instantly visible on a 120Hz screen.
The stroke on the 60 Hz screen of iPad Air trails behind by a small distance, making the drawing experience feel digital and a bit unnatural. Meaning the images appearing on the screen is equally sharp and crisp. If you are an artist and hang out in online art communities, you already know that – Apple Pencil is the most advanced stylus on the market. Since the 4th generation update, iPad Air comes with support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil (5th gen iPad Air supports 2nd gen Apple Pencil as well).
Since both iPad Air and Pro are compatible with the same stylus, you won’t find any difference in the actual drawing performance. The Apple Pencil 2 magnetically sticks to the top edge of the tablet where it charges wirelessly.
Both iPad Pro and Air have appropriate wireless charging pads to enable this feature. Their compact form factor enables you to use easily use them in places such as buses and Airplane seats.
In order to have a good drawing experience, your tablet should be powerful enough to handle large resolution project files with hundreds of layers and shouldn’t lag when using the heaviest of texture brushes.
The previous version of the iPad Air only came with 4 GB of RAM which resulted in limitations on how many numbers of layers you can have. iPads, in general, are known for their long-lasting battery which can easily handle a full day of casual usage. Although the actual battery life depends on a lot of things including the screen size, resolution, and also apps you are using.
Mind that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has the largest battery capacity but it also has a larger screen requiring more power. More storage is always better, considering the huge amount of space occupied by image and video files these days. Having a good camera is essential for artists as it allows you to take pictures of something that you are gonna paint later, right on your tablet. Speakers are one of the first compromises that budget-focused tablets make, but that is not the case with the iPad Air.
The TouchID sensor is conveniently located on the top right side of the tablet-like in older iPhones. These iPads are not backward compatible, meaning they do not work with the first-generation Apple Pencil.
For artists who are already in the Apple ecosystem and own a Mac computer, iPads can be a great add-on. This is a very powerful tool that can be used to natively use the apple pencil with your desktop-based drawing apps. There is also a third part Sidecar alternative called AstroPad which is specifically catered towards artists and has better screen mirror capabilities. – Wifi only, or Wifi+cellular Color – Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Blue, and Purple With iPad Pro, you get multiple sizes and memory options but limited color choices But if you are someone who can appreciate a larger screen and a bigger drawing area and willing to somewhat compromise with portability for that, the 12.9 inch iPad is a better choice.
If you are getting these tablets for normal multimedia usage, the lack of ProMotion display is not that big of a deal. But when you are buying these devices as a drawing tablet, having and not having the 120Hz ProMotion display can be a deciding factor. Now as we mentioned before, the iPad Air with its 60 Hz screen is good enough and still provides the best drawing tablet in that price range. But the iPad Pro with its ProMotion display feels smoother to draw and write on.
If you ask us – our recommendation would be – “iPad Air is a good fit for hobbyists and casual artist who draws every once in a while. But if you are a full-time artist, we would highly recommend you get the Apple iPad Pro (Amazon).” Other than the display, you should also keep in mind that the lower variant of the iPad Air comes with just 64Gb of onboard storage. With the iPad Air, even at this lower price, you are getting a tablet with identical display quality, same M1 processor, support for 2nd gen Apple Pencil, and similar accessories.
If you are someone who wants a good drawing experience while saving some cash, you should for sure go with the new iPad Air (Amazon). We say this for one simple reason and that is – iPad Pro has a 120Hz display which will provide you a better pen experience, after all that what matters the most for an artist.
Can the iPad Replace a Professional Drawing Tablet?
Drawing tablets like those made by Wacom allow artists to create gorgeous digital art using the skills they’ve honed in physical media for years. Rather, we’ll take a broad look at the features a professional looks for in a drawing tablet, and compare them to Apple’s iPad line. Pressure Sensitivity With a pencil or a brush in real life, the harder you press, the stronger of a mark you make. Microsoft’s most recent Surface Pen(Opens in a new window) splits the difference with 4,096 sensitivity levels. There also isn’t much difference(Opens in a new window) between the first- and second-generation Apple Pencil when it comes to sensitivity (the latter only works on the iPad Pro lineup). This is easier to do with an iPad than a drawing tablet connected to an external computer, but it’s still an annoying limitation. The replaceable tips—or nibs, as they’re called—on some professional styli can come in a variety of textures that simulate the feeling of markers, pens, or even chisels(Opens in a new window). You can buy replacement tips(Opens in a new window), because they will wear out eventually, but there aren’t alternative styles.
Many professional styli have a secondary touch-sensitive tip on the opposite end so you can flip it over and use it as an eraser. The Apple Pencil lacks this physical feature, but you can double-tap it to switch to the eraser tool. You could map a button to undo, create shortcuts to some of your favorite brushes, or make basic tasks simpler with the tablet’s built-in tools.
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