Roel Nieskens

My oldest (12) likes to draw, and is currently using a free version of ibisPaint on her phone.

What's a good upgrade to that?

I'd love to get her a tablet + pencil, but I'm not quite ready to shove an overpriced Apple thing in her hands. But I also want to encourage her and not give her crappy tools/software.

Nov 6 at 10:07amWeb
Show threadDavid JONESNov 6
@pixelambacht krita on android? I've never used it, and have only used the desktop version a small amount. But it's used for real work and 12 is, in my opinion, old enough to start dabbling with real tools.
Show threadRoel NieskensNov 6
@drj Real tools definitely. ibisPaint looks like a pretty extensive tool though, so this might be adequate enough. Krita looks nice too though, I'll show it to her.
Show threadSimon CozensNov 6
@pixelambacht @drj My boy (11) has been using Krita on the desktop for his cartoons and drawing. I've given him a wee Wacom tablet to play with as well but he prefers to use the mouse. Krita is large and complicated but he can easily draw with it and then pick up little bits from Youtube tutorials.
Show threadRoel NieskensNov 6
@simoncozens @drj Parallel to this adventure she needs to get a laptop for school, so I'll put Krita on that. More tools to discover!
Show threadjelteNov 6
@pixelambacht Maybe @davidrevoy has some suggestions?
Show threadDavid RevoyNov 6
@jelte @pixelambacht Yes, she probably already knows what she wants, and it could be an Apple. The real strategy here is to preserve her passion for drawing regardless of any software or hardware considerations. She may change her mind when she experiences problems herself later on. Ask her about upgrades she's seen in her community, both hardware and software. Sit with her, write down her dreams, compromises, and study them together. Involve her in this hardware quest. :)
Show threadDavid RevoyNov 6
@jelte @pixelambacht But for a more practical advice: a laptop found on the second hand market and compatible with a KDE Linux distro (like a performant Thinkpad) and a graphic tablet like a Wacom connected to it (it can be a screen, or screenless tablet; small models are not that expensive nowadays). With Krita (appimage package). A powerful studio, full of possibilities (drawing session can be recorded with OBS, video cut with Kdenlive, etc).
Show threadRoel NieskensNov 6
@davidrevoy @jelte Thanks! That might be a solution too. There's a laptop they've been (under)using so who knows what that brings.
Show threadStuart HazleyNov 6
@pixelambacht I’ve seen some drawing apps appear as deals in Humble Bundle: https://www.humblebundle.com/software. It might be worth keeping an eye out.
Software

Brush up on your design skills, learn a new coding language, develop your own game, and more with our exclusive pay-what-you-want software bundles.

Humble Bundle
Show threadRoel NieskensNov 6
@Stuarthazley That's a great suggestion! Thanks!
Show threadluca0N!Nov 6
@pixelambacht I know Krita is available for Android (not sure about iOS), but last time I checked, it's just the desktop program built for mobile, so the UI not being responsive is suboptimal. That being said, it's free, so it shouldn't cost you anything to try. I haven't used the Android version in years.
Show threadAccoNov 6
@pixelambacht My daughter is still getting mileage from a 5+ year old iPad Pro (from before the base models could use a pencil) and this: https://procreate.com. A second hand iPad (Air/Mini) might get the job done.
Procreate — Creative apps designed for iPad

Powerful and easy-to-use drawing and animation apps, made for both creative professionals and aspiring artists. Pay once. No subscription.

Procreate
Show threadRoel NieskensNov 7
@acco_san I see a lot of ProCreate usage there, but not entirely sure I wanna help lock her in to the Apple ecosystem. Definitely #1 for the premium option!