Top 10 Drawing Apps for Digital Artists in Thailand

In the vibrant digital art scene of Thailand, graphic designers and artists have access to an impressive array of apps and programs to bring their creative visions to life. With the growing popularity of stylus pens, artists now have even more freedom to create fluid, natural-looking digital artwork.

Let’s explore the top drawing apps that make the most of stylus technology, including both free and paid options that are popular among Thai digital artists.

Top drawing apps for Thai artists

Every artist has unique preferences, and the software you choose may depend on your specific artistic style and goals. Whether you’re creating traditional Thai-inspired digital art or modern graphic designs for Bangkok’s bustling business scene, there’s an app to suit your needs.

While some of the more robust tools on our list can be used for various applications, they often come with a steeper learning curve and a higher price tag. Let’s dive into the options available to artists in Thailand.

1. Krita

Krita is a free, open-source software that works for Windows, Mac, and Linux users. It’s particularly useful for creating comic art with premade panels, making it a favorite among Thai manga and comic artists.

Krita supports animation functions, including audio, and comes with premade templates. Thai artists can import textures from third-party sources to enhance their work with local flavors and styles.

While Krita is free, you can also opt for premium versions via Steam and the Microsoft Store. These paid versions offer automatic updates and support, which can be beneficial for professional artists in Thailand.

2. MediBang Paint Pro

MediBang Paint is immensely popular among anime creators, including those in Thailand’s growing animation industry. It also offers useful features for various types of graphic design projects.

One of MediBang’s standout features is its Art Street community, which offers competitions for the best art. This social aspect allows Thai artists to showcase their work and connect with a global community of creators.

With access to over 1,000 screen tones and 20 fonts, this cloud-based tool lets you save your work to your account and continue on any logged-in device. It’s available for free for PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android, making it an excellent choice for Thai artists who work across multiple devices.

3. FireAlpaca

FireAlpaca is an easy-to-use drawing tool that’s free forever for Windows and Mac users. You can also pay to remove ads on Steam. This app is particularly good for vector art, which is useful for creating logos and graphics for Thailand’s thriving business sector.

FireAlpaca works in 20 languages and offers pen, pencil, airbrush, and watercolor brush tools in its default settings. Its light footprint makes it an excellent choice for Thai artists using older or less powerful computers.

4. Autodesk Sketchbook

For Thai artists focused purely on drawing without the need for photo editing, Sketchbook by Autodesk is an excellent choice. It offers easy-to-master tools that can help you transform your ideas into stunning digital art.

Use Sketchbook on your tablet, Mac, or desktop PC. You can also export your projects to Photoshop without losing layer data, which is helpful for collaboration with other artists or clients in Thailand’s design industry.

5. CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW Standard is a powerful tool that’s well-respected in Thailand’s graphic design community. It comes bundled with Corel PHOTO-PAINT and offers features suitable for both professionals and hobbyists.

With hundreds of brushes, vector tools, photo editing filters, and typography options, CorelDRAW is an excellent choice for Thai designers working in advertising or professional graphic design.

6. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a staple in Thailand’s creative industry, used by students, professionals, and aspiring artists alike. Its robust features for creation, editing, and sharing make it a versatile tool for various projects.

Photoshop’s key perks include smart sharpen filters, color correction tools, and photo retouching capabilities. While it has a steeper learning curve, many Thai universities and design schools offer courses in Photoshop, making it a valuable skill for aspiring artists.

7. Procreate

Procreate is an iPad Pro exclusive that works with the Apple Pencil. It’s gaining popularity among Thai digital artists who prefer the portability of tablet-based creation.

With features like layers, brushes, and filters, Procreate offers many of the capabilities you’d expect from desktop software. It’s particularly useful for Thai artists who work on-the-go or prefer the tactile experience of drawing directly on a tablet.

8. Blender

Blender is open-source 3D animation software that’s gaining traction among Thai artists who want to explore beyond traditional 2D drawing.

Its grease pencil mode allows you to create artwork from simple lines, making it suitable for various projects from storyboards to comics. Blender’s community-driven nature aligns well with Thailand’s collaborative art scene.

9. Inkscape

Inkscape is a vector-based drawing program that’s popular among Thai graphic designers for creating logos, infographics, and other scalable graphics.

As an open-source and free tool, Inkscape is widely used in Thailand’s nonprofit sector and by small businesses looking for cost-effective design solutions.

10. Artrage

Artrage allows Thai artists to create realistic-looking paintings using just a stylus. Its multiple brush customization settings can mimic oil, watercolor, or pastel finishes, making it a versatile tool for digital painters.

The app’s recording feature is particularly useful for Thai artists who create tutorial content or want to showcase their process to clients.

Bonus app: Rebelle

Rebelle, from Escape Motions, offers a unique approach to digital painting with its realistic color mixing based on traditional pigments. This can be particularly appealing to Thai artists looking to recreate traditional painting techniques in a digital medium.

With features like blowing paint and using a palette knife for 3D effects, Rebelle offers Thai artists a way to experiment with mixed media techniques without the mess or additional materials.

Choosing the right stylus drawing app for Thai artists

When selecting the best app for your needs as a Thai artist, consider the following:

• Start with your device specifications, as this may determine which app is most suitable based on processing power and operating system.

• Explore the galleries on each app’s website to see what’s possible and how it aligns with Thai artistic styles and trends.

• Watch tutorials to gauge how long it might take to master the features and whether they’re available in Thai or English.

• Consider your budget. While many apps on our list are free, some offer “lite” versions at a lower cost than full-featured desktop tools. Look for trials to test the app before committing.

Remember that your choice of stylus is equally important. While some computers come with a stylus, others require a separate purchase. Consider features like shortcut buttons and comfortable grips when choosing a stylus.

By choosing the right combination of drawing app and hardware, Thai artists can push the boundaries of their creativity and contribute to the country’s thriving digital art scene.