Art created on iPads

[Arishipshape]

Hello! At the moment, Costco is currently holding a pretty good sale on their iPads. However, because my income is relatively limited, I can only afford the cheapest model simply called the "iPad".

I've asked multiple creators of my favorite artworks here what they use to make their art, and many if not all have replied "Procreate on my iPad".

The main art differences between the iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro are these: the Air has a laminated screen, so when you press your Apple pencil (or knockoff equivalent) to the screen, there isn't a visual gap between where the pencil touches down, and the pixels of the screen. The Pro has both a laminated screen and double the frame refresh rate (from 60 to 120 FPS). The just "iPad" has neither of these features.

Now that the context is established, I reach the crux of the matter: how vital are these extra features? If, one day, I worked hard and wanted to make epic art on the level of my favorite artists here, would the mere "iPad" be sufficient? Obviously a higher framerate and no "gap" is better than the alternative, but I would like to know how MUCH better. Is the very slight delay a mere 60 FPS iPad would provide noticeable, annoying, or even debilitating? Would the slight gap between your pencil and the pixels make good art creation harder? How much harder?

I'd love to hear from artists that use iPads: which model do you use, and how vital are these attributes?

 

[Furrium]

Why don’t you just want to buy a graphics tablet?

Actually, I don’t understand this, but in my opinion it’s better to buy an iPad Pro for drawing on an iPad because it has a bigger screen. In addition, you need to buy a stylus. It’s not necessary to buy an Apple Pencil, but at least a stylus with pressure sensitivity. And finally, you need to choose a program for drawing, you can draw in the free Autodesk Sketchbook, but in my little experience I can say that the best program for drawing is Procreate.

Actually on an iPad (Air and similar in size) it's hard to draw at least large drawings. This can only be useful for drawing stickers, for example. But for drawing large drawings, it’s better to have an iPad Pro.

 

[Arishipshape]

Why don’t you just want to buy a graphics tablet?

I recently lost my i-device and would like to acquire another one. Of course, funds are limited. If I can get 2 birds with one stone and fulfill that need AND have an art tablet, why, all the better!

Actually on an iPad (Air and similar in size) it's hard to draw at least large drawings. This can only be useful for drawing stickers, for example. But for drawing large drawings, it’s better to have an iPad Pro.

I agree larger is better. I'm curious as to how MUCH better. Do those 2 inches or so between the Pro and the standard/air matter a huge amount or is the standard iPad passable? Is this difficulty a minor annoyance or a major complicating factor?

 

[Keroki]

Hey! I work mainly on IPad for all my comissions.
I just love it honestly..Procreate and Clip Studio Paint are the programs I use with it.
I c an paint the same quality art I paint on my computer with a display tablet, just that I can sit on my couch comfortably.
I use an IPad Pro with the apple pencil. I would recomment going for a Pro one, it has better specs in general.

 

[BunBunArt]

I had the ipad 2018 9" and now I have ipad pro 13" and honestly, except from the size of the tablet, I don't notice much difference.
I use autodesk sketchbook which is free and if you learn to use it, you can do amazing art with it.

Anyhow, for professional work, I still recomment a normal tablet if you're going to work at home. I use ipad when I'm outside at conventions and so... But I still prefer my tablet on my PC.
I was using the small wacom intuos for quite a long time and now I'm using wacom cintiq.

 

[Arishipshape]

Thanks for the input! It will be valuable in my decision making.

I had the ipad 2018 9" and now I have ipad pro 13" and honestly, except from the size of the tablet, I don't notice much difference.
I use autodesk sketchbook which is free and if you learn to use it, you can do amazing art with it.

Anyhow, for professional work, I still recomment a normal tablet if you're going to work at home. I use ipad when I'm outside at conventions and so... But I still prefer my tablet on my PC.
I was using the small wacom intuos for quite a long time and now I'm using wacom cintiq.

Out of curiosity, why do you prefer the tablet on your PC? In what ways is it superior to the iPad?

 

[BunBunArt]

Thanks for the input! It will be valuable in my decision making.

Out of curiosity, why do you prefer the tablet on your PC? In what ways is it superior to the iPad?

I don't feel comfortable with the limited tablet screen, can't see references at the same time I draw and I don't feel comfortable drawing for too long on it. It's good for sketching but I get tired after a while and prefer to sit on my desk with my monitor and my cintiq, or my old intuos tablet, but yeah basically I need a big screen to work on. I spend like 9 hours per day drawing becuase it's my job >.<

 

[Arishipshape]

I don't feel comfortable with the limited tablet screen, can't see references at the same time I draw and I don't feel comfortable drawing for too long on it. It's good for sketching but I get tired after a while and prefer to sit on my desk with my monitor and my cintiq, or my old intuos tablet, but yeah basically I need a big screen to work on. I spend like 9 hours per day drawing becuase it's my job >.<

I see! Thank you very much for your input.

 

[NahiNahi]

Hello! I am an ex user of a wacom cintiq 13hd and now I am using and iPad Pro 13", and... I prefer the iPad, actually. At first, I thought on not resell my cintiq because I thought: "What if I wanted to do a more professional drawing...?" But... nah. I can totally do the same on my iPad, but whenever and wherever. So I am not in the graphic table > iPad club definitely. The iPad has a terrible good pressure with the Apple pencil, while... he doesn't detect my hand while drawing at all. Really. At all.

On the other hand, I only tested iPad and iPad Air when I went to test the Pro too, so I don't have too much experience comparing them. But... I can assure you that if you want to draw on it, I would prefer to wait and buy the bigger model. The difference on that is huge. About the pressure... I don't know. But the cheapests versions I have heard that sometimes they had a delay following the line... but never happened to me on the Pro, even using 3000 x 3000 archives and more than 30 layers.

Hope it helps