Sketchbook
Sketchbook, Inc. (formerly Autodesk)
Sketchbook is an award-winning sketching, painting, and drawing app for anyone who loves to draw. Artists and illustrators love Sketchbook for its professional-grade feature set and highly customizable tools. Everyone loves Sketchbook for its elegant interface and natural drawing experience, free of distractions so you can focus on capturing and expressing your ideas. From quick sketches to fully finished artwork, Sketchbook goes where your creativity takes you.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Intuitive and easy to use interface
- Extensive and customizable brush library
- Natural drawing experience
- Versatile for both quick sketches and detailed artwork
- Available on multiple platforms (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
Top Dislikes
- Some users find the UI messy
- Limited features in the free mobile version
- Occasional crashes reported by some users
- Steeper price for desktop Pro version compared to mobile
Popular Comments
Milowerx - Mac App Store User
2025-01-11
Outstanding! This is my go to app for drawing and I've used it since it was owned by Alias in 2006 and then Autodesk until recently. The current developer is an artist who has a passion for this program which I find impressive and important because you know it'll stay around.
MacUpdate User - rphartle
2020-07-24
Perfect example why I only look here, and that's all. Otherwise I have no use for this site. [referring to update date, but implying general satisfaction with the app itself]
GetApp User - Hafiz Usman A.
2024-08
Sketchbook is awesome because it's easy to use, has tons of brushes, and the drawing tools are super intuitive. You can create detailed art easily, and the workspace is customizable, making it perfect for any digital artist.
GetApp User - Razaanah C.
2025-01
For a free application I loved the variety of tools you're given. Though I wouldn't say it's the best for beginners as the interface can a be a little confusing.
Reddit User - verysleepy7
2022-12-27
Is the new update coming to mac? I saw on instagram that you guys updated the app for ios. I thought that meant for all apple products but I guess not... So is the new update coming for mac soon? Also I keep getting a lot of bugs and glitches. Like when I close the app its says it 'closed unexpectedly'
Detailed Review
Sketchbook is a professional-grade digital painting and drawing application available on macOS. Originally developed by Autodesk, it is now maintained by Sketchbook, Inc. It's designed for artists of all levels, from beginners to professionals, offering a user-friendly interface that mimics traditional drawing while providing powerful digital tools. Sketchbook is known for its extensive brush library, smooth and responsive drawing experience, and versatile features suitable for various artistic styles, from quick sketches to detailed illustrations and animations. The app is available in both free and paid (Pro) versions, with the Pro version unlocking advanced features and tools.
Standout Features
- Extensive Brush Library: Offers a wide variety of highly customizable brushes including pencils, markers, airbrushes, and more, designed to mimic traditional art tools. Users can also import and share custom brushes.
- Intuitive User Interface: Features a clean, distraction-free interface with gesture-based marking menus for quick access to tools and customizable hotkeys, allowing artists to focus on creating.
- Professional-grade Tools: Includes features like layers with blend modes, guides, rulers, symmetry tools, and stroke stabilization for precision and flexibility in creating artwork.
- PSD and TIFF Support: Opens and saves layered PSD and TIFF files, ensuring compatibility with other professional creative applications like Adobe Photoshop.
- Flipbook Animation: Allows users to create traditional hand-drawn 2D animations directly within the app.
- Cross-Platform Availability: While focused on Mac here, it's also available on Windows, iOS, and Android, providing a consistent experience across devices.
Conclusion
Sketchbook is a powerful and versatile digital art application for Mac users, suitable for both beginners and professional artists. The free version offers a robust set of features for sketching and drawing, while the Pro version unlocks advanced capabilities for more demanding artistic projects. Its intuitive interface and natural drawing feel make it a popular choice for those seeking a digital tool that closely replicates the traditional art creation process. While some users have reported occasional bugs or a slightly complex UI for beginners, the overall consensus is that Sketchbook is a top-tier application for digital painting and illustration on macOS, offering a great balance of features, usability, and value, especially with the availability of a free version.
