What You Need to Draw on a Computer

Drawing on a computer requires three things: software that lets you create images, an input device to make marks, and a display to see what you're doing. The software can be free or paid, the input device can be as straightforward as a mouse or as specialized as a graphics tablet, and your regular monitor works fine to start.

Most people begin with a mouse and free software like Krita, GIMP, or Photoshop's free trial. If you want to draw more naturally—the way you would with a pencil—a graphics tablet (also called a pen tablet or drawing tablet) connects to your computer and lets you use a stylus instead of a mouse. You don't need to spend money upfront to find out whether digital drawing suits you.

Key Takeaways

  • Free drawing software like Krita, GIMP, and Photoshop's free trial all work on Windows and Mac computers without payment.
  • A mouse works for drawing, but a graphics tablet with a stylus feels more natural and gives you better control over line weight and pressure.
  • Graphics tablets range from budget models under $50 to professional tablets over $1,000, and entry-level ones are fine for learning.
  • Your computer's processing power matters less than the software you choose—even older machines can run Krita or GIMP smoothly.
  • Most drawing software saves your work as a file on your computer, so you own what you create and can export it as an image or print it.

Free and Paid Drawing Software Options

Krita is free, open-source software designed specifically for digital painting and illustration. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Krita has brushes that mimic real media (charcoal, watercolor, oils), layers so you can work non-destructively, and selection tools for precise editing. Many professional artists use it alongside or instead of paid software.

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is also free and open-source. It's more focused on photo editing and graphic design than painting, but you can draw and paint in it. GIMP has a steeper learning curve than Krita because its interface is less intuitive, but it's powerful and costs nothing.

Photoshop is Adobe's industry standard. It costs $9.99 per month for a single-app subscription or $54.99 per month for the full Creative Cloud suite. Adobe offers a free seven-day trial, which is enough to see whether you like the interface. Photoshop has the most brushes and plugins available, and many tutorials online assume you're using it.

Procreate costs $12.99 one time and runs only on iPad. If you're drawing on an iPad with an Apple Pencil, Procreate is the most popular choice among digital artists. It's not available for Windows or Mac computers.

Clip Studio Paint costs $4.49 per month or $50 one time for a perpetual license. It's designed for comic and manga artists and has excellent tools for inking and panel layout. It runs on Windows, Mac, iPad, and Android tablets.

Input Devices: Mouse, Trackpad, and Graphics Tablets

A mouse works for drawing, but it's awkward. Your hand moves in a different way than it does when you hold a pencil, and you can't vary line thickness by pressing harder. Many people find mouse drawing frustrating after a few minutes.

A trackpad (the touch surface on a laptop) is even harder to draw with than a mouse. Avoid it unless you have no other option.

A graphics tablet (pen tablet) is a flat device that connects to your computer via USB or wireless. You use a stylus to draw on its surface, and the movement appears on your screen. Entry-level tablets like the Wacom One or XP-Pen Deco start around $40 to $80. Mid-range tablets cost $100 to $300. These are all fine for learning and hobby work. Professional tablets with built-in screens (called display tablets or pen displays) cost $300 to $2,500 and let you draw directly on the screen instead of looking at a separate monitor.

If you're not sure whether you'll stick with digital drawing, start with a budget tablet or a mouse. You can upgrade later if you decide to keep going.

Setting Up Your First Drawing File

When you open Krita, GIMP, Photoshop, or another drawing program, you'll see an option to create a new file or open an existing one. Choose "New" or "Create" to start from scratch.

The program will ask you to set the canvas size (width and height in pixels or inches), the resolution (measured in DPI or PPI—dots or pixels per inch), and the color mode (RGB for screen, CMYK for print). For your first drawing, these defaults are fine. Use RGB color mode if you're drawing to share on screen. Use CMYK if you plan to print it professionally.

Once your canvas is open, select a brush from the brush panel (usually on the right side of the screen). Start with a basic round brush. Click or tap on the canvas and move your mouse or stylus to make a mark. Most drawing software has an undo button (usually Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on Mac) so you can erase mistakes without starting over.

Learning the Core Tools You'll Use Most

Every drawing program has a toolbar with essential tools. The brush tool is what you use to paint and draw. The eraser tool removes marks. The selection tool (often shaped like a rectangle or lasso) lets you select part of your image so you can move, copy, or edit only that area. The color picker (eyedropper icon) lets you sample a color from your canvas.

Layers are one of the most important concepts in digital drawing. A layer is like a transparent sheet of paper stacked on top of others. You can draw on one layer without affecting the others, move layers around, and delete them without losing your whole image. Most drawing software shows your layers in a panel on the right side. Start with one layer and add more as you get comfortable.

The zoom tool lets you zoom in to see details or zoom out to see the whole image. You can usually zoom by scrolling your mouse wheel or using keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl and + to zoom in, Ctrl and - to zoom out on Windows; Command and + or - on Mac).

Saving and Exporting Your Work

When you save a file in Krita, GIMP, or Photoshop, the program saves it in its own format (.kra, .xcf, or .psd). These formats preserve all your layers so you can edit the file later. To save, use File > Save or press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac).

When you want to share your drawing or print it, you need to export it as a standard image file like .jpg, .png, or .tiff. Use File > Export As (or Export) and choose your format. PNG keeps the background transparent if you drew on a transparent layer. JPG compresses the file smaller but loses some quality. TIFF is best for printing because it doesn't compress.

Your computer stores these files wherever you choose to save them—usually in a folder called Pictures or Documents. You own the files you create. No software company can take them away.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The biggest mistake beginners make is drawing on a single layer. If you make a mistake, you have to undo many steps to fix it. Instead, create a new layer for each major part of your drawing (one for sketch, one for line art, one for color). This way you can edit each part separately.

Another common problem is using a brush that's too small or too large. Zoom in when you need detail and zoom out to see the whole image. Experiment with brush sizes until you find what feels right for the mark you're making.

Many new digital artists also struggle with pressure sensitivity on a graphics tablet. If you have a tablet with a stylus, make sure pressure sensitivity is turned on in your software's settings. This lets the software respond to how hard you press, just like a real pencil does. Without it, every line will be the same thickness no matter how hard you push.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I draw on a laptop with just the trackpad?

Technically yes, but it's very difficult. A trackpad wasn't designed for drawing. If you don't have a graphics tablet, a mouse is easier, and a budget graphics tablet ($40–$80) is easier still. Most people find trackpad drawing frustrating enough to give up quickly.

Do I need a powerful computer to draw digitally?

No. Krita and GIMP run smoothly on older computers with modest specs. Photoshop needs more power, but even a mid-range laptop from five years ago can handle it. The software matters more than the hardware when you're starting out.

What's the difference between a graphics tablet and an iPad?

A graphics tablet (pen tablet) connects to your computer and you draw on the tablet while looking at your monitor. An iPad is a standalone device with its own screen, so you draw directly on what you see. iPads are more expensive but feel more natural because you're drawing on the screen itself. Both work for digital drawing.

Can I use a stylus made for my phone on a graphics tablet?

No. Phone styluses and graphics tablet styluses are different technologies. A phone stylus won't work on a graphics tablet, and a graphics tablet stylus won't work on a phone. You need the stylus designed for your specific device.

If I draw something in Krita, can I open it in Photoshop later?

Yes, but you'll lose the layers. Save your Krita file as .kra first (so you can edit it in Krita later), then export it as .psd to open in Photoshop. When you open the .psd in Photoshop, all your layers will be there. If you open a .kra file in Photoshop, it will flatten into a single layer.