What are the best apps for learning how to draw on a phone?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

Pick a simple drawing app first

A basic drawing app with layers, a pencil brush, an eraser and an undo button is enough for learning. Phone screens are small, so a stylus with a fine tip and a zoom gesture make details easier. Ibis Paint and Tayasui Sketches are two common choices people try first, and both have free versions.

Keep the interface simple while you learn, and avoid adding too many tools at once. Many apps let you change brush size quickly, which helps you practice line weight without digging through menus.

Practice the fundamentals

Learning to draw is mostly about shapes, proportion, value and perspective, and those skills carry over from phone to tablet to paper. Try daily sketches of basic forms like cubes, spheres and cylinders, then shade them with a simple light source. Short, regular sessions usually help more than long, rare ones.

Free tutorials on video platforms and in drawing communities can guide your practice. Pick lessons that match your current level, and copy a few drawings before you try original work. Save your sketches so you can see your progress over time.

• Start with a simple app that has an undo button
• Practice shapes, proportion and shading
• Use short daily sessions
• Copy drawings to learn from them
• Save and review your progress

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