There’s no secret that I love the Procreate digital illustration app on my iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. No digital tool has done more to advance my art or make it faster or easier than Procreate.
So here are my top picks for the best iPad for Procreate. Keep reading to learn more about the compatibility of different iPad models and Apple Pencils with Procreate.
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My Choice
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Must Have
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More Affordable
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Portable
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Description: Best iPad for Procreate and drawing |
Description: Absolutely the best drawing experience on any iPad on my list! |
Description: Best iPad for Procreate and drawing if you are on a budget |
Description: Best cheapest, and smallest iPad I recommend for drawing and Procreate |
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Display:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
True Tone Liquid Retina IPS Display |
Display:
n/a
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Display:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
True Tone Liquid Retina IPS Display |
Display:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
True Tone Liquid Retina IPS Display |
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Processor:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
M1 |
Processor:
n/a
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Processor:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
M1 |
Processor:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A15 |
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RAM:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8GB or 16GB |
RAM:
n/a
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RAM:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8GB |
RAM:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
4GB |
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Storage:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From 128GB up to 2TB |
Storage:
n/a
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Storage:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
64GB or 256GB |
Storage:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
64GB or 256GB |
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Apple Pencil compatibility:
2nd generation
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Apple Pencil compatibility:
n/a
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Apple Pencil compatibility:
2nd generation
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Apple Pencil compatibility:
2nd generation
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Notes:
Get the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9″ if you want the newest tech - M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover feature.
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Notes:
n/a
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Notes:
n/a
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Notes:
n/a
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Best iPad for Procreate and drawing
True Tone Liquid Retina IPS Display
M1
8GB or 16GB
From 128GB up to 2TB
Absolutely the best drawing experience on any iPad on my list!
Best iPad for Procreate and drawing if you are on a budget
True Tone Liquid Retina IPS Display
M1
8GB
64GB or 256GB
Best cheapest, and smallest iPad I recommend for drawing and Procreate
True Tone Liquid Retina IPS Display
A15
4GB
64GB or 256GB
Since discovering Procreate and getting an iPad Pro with Apple Pencil, I often say that my process is ten times faster than before, and I can do so much more, much better, and with so much less effort.
Overview: What is the Best New iPad for Procreate?
Master the Procreate features, improve your workflow, challenge your skills and use Procreate as a part of your creative business. Watch on Skillshare!
★ Click below to get a FREE Month of Skillshare (look for "redeem" on top)
- Apple iPad Pro (12.9″, WiFi, 512GB)
- NEW Apple iPad Air (10.9″, WiFi, 256GB)
- NEW Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi, 256GB)
The best iPad for drawing and Procreate
Apple M1 Processor for next-level performance :: 12.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, and brightness :: Light and extremely strong :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Early 2021 model
Edit 2023: If you want absolutely the newest tech to get M2 chip and use Apple Pencil hover feature, get the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9″
Best iPad for drawing and Procreate if you are on a budget or you are a student / beginner
Latest M1 processor :: 10.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, brightness :: Light & extremely strong :: Premium fit & finish :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Early 2022 model
Best cheapest and smallest iPad I recommend for drawing and Procreate
Apple A15 Processor for Best-in-Class Performance :: 8.3 inch Liquid Retina Display for Superior Color, Contrast, Brightness :: Light and Extremely Strong :: Premium Fit and Finish :: Up to 10 Hours Battery Life :: Late 2021 model
I could easily recommend any current Apple iPad for Procreate, and they will all work great, but I wanted to offer what I think are the three very best choices on three levels.
So, for the shortlist, I would recommend the following:
Best iPad overall for Procreate: iPad Pro 12.9 Inch or if you want the latest M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover feature, get the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9 Inch
Best Cheap iPad for Procreate: iPad Air 10.9 Inch
Best Cheapest iPad for Procreate I recommend: iPad Mini 8.3 Inch
If you want to buy a new iPad and Apple Pencil or upgrade to the latest generation, I have to say the new models are fabulous – fast and powerful, with bright and beautiful displays, light, and yet a reassuringly solid look and feel.
At the same time, many of us are on a budget and have to ask not just, “which iPad should I buy for Procreate” but “which iPad can I afford for Procreate?”
And so, let’s not just find out what are the best iPads for Procreate but what are the most affordable iPads for Procreate as well:
My Pick: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 Inch Screen Size
The best iPad for drawing and Procreate
Apple M2 Processor for next-level performance :: 12.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, and brightness :: Light and extremely strong :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Late 2022 model :: Apple Pencil hover feature
The best iPad for drawing and Procreate
Apple M1 Processor for next-level performance :: 12.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, and brightness :: Light and extremely strong :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Early 2021 model
Edit 2023: If you want absolutely the newest tech to get M2 chip and use Apple Pencil hover feature, get the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9″
The best of the best, iPad Pro is the most useful and powerful mobile art tool I know.
The newest liquid retina screen creates rich, sharp, bright, and contrasty graphics. They not only make the creative process easier and more effective, but the beauty of the big display – and my work on that display – inspires and encourages me to improve.
Apple’s proprietary M1 processor (5th Generation) and M2 processor (6th Generation) in the newest iPad Pro are far faster than most laptops and never lag or crash, no matter how big or high-resolution my artwork is.
And the pen-to-screen interface is nothing short of superb, with a great feel, real physical control, great response and flow, and extraordinary levels of precision.
For my money, the Apple iPad Pro is not just the best iPad for artists on the market today but the best standalone drawing tablet available today!
Best Apple Pencil for iPad Pro and Procreate
Although other styluses support drawing experience on the newest iPad, Apple Pencil’s compatibility and feature set are crucial if you want to enjoy the full experience of Procreate on your iPad.
All models on my list for the best iPad for Procreate support are supported by the amazing 2nd generation of Apple Pencil:
Second Generation Apple Pencil :: Best Drawing and Painting Experience :: Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation)
Affordable Pick: Apple iPad Air 10.9 Inch Screen Size
Best iPad for drawing and Procreate if you are on a budget or you are a student / beginner
Latest M1 processor :: 10.9-inch liquid retina display for superior color, contrast, brightness :: Light & extremely strong :: Premium fit & finish :: Up to 10 hours battery life :: Early 2022 model
I might have just as easily recommended the smaller iPad Pro 11-inch as a less expensive alternative to Apple’s top-of-the-line 12.9-inch model.
And the 11-inch Pro is a perfect choice for Procreate, but it is not significantly less expensive than its bigger brother, so it is not a “budget” option.
The iPad Air, however, with about the same sized screen (10.9 inch) and still featuring the superb Liquid Retina display, is an incredible tool and an incredible tablet – stunningly beautiful graphics, a large working area, a fast processor (though not quite as fast as the iPad Pro), great cameras and speakers and excellent overall fit and finish.
Incredibly light yet solid and sturdy, the Apple iPad Air works flawlessly with Procreate. I think it would be a powerful and invaluable tool for any artist.
Second Generation Apple Pencil :: Best Drawing and Painting Experience :: Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation)
Portable Pick: Apple iPad Mini 8.3 Inch Screen Size
Best cheapest and smallest iPad I recommend for drawing and Procreate
Apple A15 Processor for Best-in-Class Performance :: 8.3 inch Liquid Retina Display for Superior Color, Contrast, Brightness :: Light and Extremely Strong :: Premium Fit and Finish :: Up to 10 Hours Battery Life :: Late 2021 model
Whenever anybody says that you can’t do serious, high-resolution, detailed artwork on a smaller screen, I immediately think, “they haven’t tried it on an iPad!”
Of course, the question “will a smaller iPad work well with Procreate?” is valid and good to ask. However, the iPad Mini still has that phenomenal Apple Liquid Retina display, a stunningly bright and sharp screen with true and beautiful colors.
Yes, larger screens are easier to work on, and yes, the Mini has less RAM and a slower processor, and if you can afford a bigger iPad, you should seriously consider it.
But the iPad Mini tablet does work great with Procreate, and there’s no reason you can’t work with it on the highest levels.
Some people even prefer the smaller, lighter, and more portable package.
The smallest Apple iPad Mini, with 64 GB storage, costs less than $500. Yet, for all its darling tininess and affordability, it’s a powerful and fully usable tool for the serious commercial or fine artist, art student, or beginner.
Second Generation Apple Pencil :: Best Drawing and Painting Experience :: Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation)
What is the Best iPad for Procreate on a Budget?
The best iPad for Procreate on a budget is a renewed one. You don’t have to get the older model. Just get a used and renewed model with a guarantee. You will still enjoy new iPad model features while on a budget!
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Description: 4th generation (2020) Savings up to $500 |
Description: 4th generation (2020) Savings up to ~$100 |
Description: Second Generation Apple Pencil :: Best Drawing and Painting Experience :: Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation) |
4th generation (2020)
Savings up to $500
4th generation (2020)
Savings up to ~$100
Second Generation Apple Pencil :: Best Drawing and Painting Experience :: Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation)
Decision Criteria For Getting The Best iPad for Procreate
What Size iPad for Procreate Should You Get?
Get the biggest screen size you can afford
To make your Procreate experience optimal, I recommend getting the biggest screen size you can afford, but remember that even the smallest iPad screens are sharp, clear, and imminently usable.
I started using Procreate on the now-discontinued iPad Pro 10.5″. I used it in my studio, on the go, on public transport, in the passenger seat in the car, in the parks, cafes, shopping malls … you name it.
When I upgraded to the latest iPad Pro 12.9″, I was worried it would be too big to fit into my backpack and too heavy to draw on the go.
But after a week of getting used to it, I no longer noticed the size difference.
How Much iPad Storage for Procreate Should You Get?
Get bigger storage which comes with bigger RAM.
Getting as much RAM and storage space as possible is great if you are a commercial or serious digital and fine artist.
More RAM will let Procreate (and other programs) run faster, more smoothly, and with more layers.
And the storage space will allow you to keep even very large, complex, or high-resolution files – finished pieces or works in progress – on your iPad.
You could even store a fairly complete portfolio of your work on a larger SD drive.
Can You Use Procreate without Apple Pencil?
Since version 5.3, Procreate doesn’t support third-party styli, so you need to get Apple Pencil – Apple Pencil 1st generation or Apple Pencil 2nd generation (depending on your iPad model).
Read more about the best iPad stylus for Procreate here.
All the iPads on my list support Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, an amazing upgrade from the previous generation! The “invisible button” activated with a double tap on the pencil is very useful!
Get Other Useful Accessories
I love the feeling of drawing on paper! The texture, the subtle sound of a pencil or pen on paper, and the control it gives me to express my ideas. So, I naturally wanted to recreate the same feeling while drawing in Procreate on my iPad. After testing different options, I chose the matte Paperlike screen protector with the paper texture:
Matte Screen Protector for Drawing, Writing, and Note-taking like on Paper
One important note. The matte paper-like screen protector will quickly use Apple Pencil’s tip depending on how much you draw. I draw in Procreate on my iPad daily and have to change it every 2 to 3 months. So don’t forget to get yourself a set of original, extra Apple Pencil tips:
I recommend you get them if you use a matte Paperlike screen protector
Also very nice to get is the Magic Keyboard – it protects your new iPad. Also, it helps you use it as a full-fledged mobile computer, which is great for working commercial artists who need to do administrative tasks, billing, email, social media, and other communications. And the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard is really good and useful with Procreate.
If you don’t need the keyboard, though, I’d recommend you get yourself a protective case that supports the magnetic charging function for the Apple Pencil.
I am using the ESR case with a pencil holder below and have a felt sleeve for extra protection. But that’s just me being me – extra careful!
iPad Pro Case with Pencil Holder, Soft Flexible TPU Back Cover, Auto Sleep/Wake, and Multiple Viewing Stand Modes
How Much Does Procreate Cost? Is it Worth Buying It?
Procreate costs $12.99 (or your local currency equivalent), and you can get it on Apple App Store. There are no recurring subscription fees, which makes Procreate one of the best and most affordable drawing programs!
It is, without question, the best art program available for the latest generation iPad with Apple Pencil. You should get this great app if you already have a compatible iPad.
Why is Procreate Such a Great Program?
The promise of digital art seems quite strong and compelling.
It is, after all, what everybody’s doing, isn’t it? It’s what all commercial and fine artists today are working on and the way of the future. So, naturally, any aspiring artist buys a big laptop and subscribes to Adobe Creative Cloud to access serious art programs like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Then, they stare at the screen if they don’t invest hours and hours studying how to work in those programs full of tools, options, and settings. They click on a couple of tools, try to draw whatever comes to their mind, giggle a little, click some more, and then reach for their sketchbook, worrying that their creative inspiration might run away if they don’t draw something meaningful.
Procreate is different!
It is an incredibly powerful program, with all the tools and options you would ever need, and yet it is so intuitive that you can sit down with it the first time and start making art.
You have a canvas (and various canvas sizes), brushes, pens, shapes, and the color wheel, so you are immediately in the familiar creative territory.
Using Procreate on my iPad Pro with Apple Pencil is such a joy!
Yes, Procreate is indeed a detailed and complex program that you will eventually need to spend some time learning, and in fact, the sooner you know all it can do, the sooner you can take your own processes and artwork to the next level.
But any artist can immediately start making beautiful things and finally understand and realize the promise of digital art.
Some of the best features of the latest version of Procreate, in my experience, are:
- 150+ Procreate Brushes – and you can customize them and even add more!
- Countless Filters, Effects, Gradients, and more
- Incredible Color Selection and Control, including Blending and Gradation
- Aids and Cheats like Clipping Masks, Alpha Locks, and Quick shape
- Drawing Guides like Perspective, Isometric, and Symmetry
- Layers
- Customizable Gestures
- Animation
- Intuitive Interface
- Brilliantly Thought-Out Layout, Controls, and Functions Overall
Yeah, when you see even this very short and incomplete list of the best features of Procreate, it can seem like an impossibly complicated, difficult, and intimidating program, and for sure a really good course or deep self-study will reveal more and more that this marvelous app can do.
But the best feature of Procreate is, in fact, ease of use.
It is simply a way to paint and draw that is familiar and comfortable for anybody, even if they’ve never used a computer for more than emails and browsing the web.
You can immediately sit down and make a beautiful drawing or painting without worrying about Isometric Guides or Clipping Masks!
Are there any downsides to Procreate?
If pressed, I would have to say that it does not allow vector work, although this can also be an advantage.
Vector work is great for creating high-resolution, small-sized, clean, and sharp images like logos.
However, it is not an intuitive process – especially for people who work well and naturally in traditional media like painting, pen and ink, colored pencils, etc.
Procreate is a raster-based or, better said, pixel-based program that is more reminiscent of physical painting and drawing.
Yes, pixel-based files are much larger but richer, more detailed, colorful, and realistic.
Anyway, I can do 99 percent of what I want and need – for my own work and clients – with Procreate, and if I need to work with vectors, I can use Adobe Illustrator on my MacBook Pro.
But I always use Procreate on my iPad Pro with Apple Pencil when painting or drawing digitally, and I love it!
One of the most powerful and important benefits of Procreate is its portability. Well, I guess this is more of a benefit of the iPad itself, but I consider Procreate and my iPad Pro as a single tool, which is always right there with me wherever I go.
As such, I can see that Procreate on my iPad Pro allows and encourages me to work more often and see more in the world around me. I can sit down anywhere and start drawing or painting with beautiful detail, rich, vibrant colors, and an easy creative flow.
So, if this is kind of what you envision as the “promise of digital art,” you’ll now probably have one of the following questions:
- What kind of iPad model and Apple Pencil do you need to use Procreate?
- Which iPad models and Apple Pencil work best with Procreate?
- What is the cheapest iPad for Procreate?
- Should you upgrade your iPad to work with Procreate and Apple Pencil?
Which iPads does Procreate work with?
While most recent iPads and Apple Pencils will work with the newest version of Procreate (5.3.1 at the time of writing, which needs PadOS 15.4.1 or newer to run), iPad older than a few years will, unfortunately, won’t be able to run it.
This, combined with the advances and improvements in the latest iPads, makes many artists feel like they want to get a new iPad and Apple Pencil to run this fabulous program.
You are already good to go with Procreate if you get any of the below iPads which support iOS 15.4.1 or later (iOS 16):
| Model | iOS 15 (Procreate compatible) | iOS 16 (Procreate compatible) |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 12.9″ | 1st Generation (2015) 2nd Generation (2017) 3rd Generation (2018) 4th Generation (2020) 5th Generation (2021) 6th Generation (2022) + iPad Pro 9.7″ (2015) + iPad Pro 10.5″ (2017) | 3rd Generation (2018) 4th Generation (2020) 5th Generation (2021) 6th Generation (2022) |
| iPad Pro 11″ | 1st Generation (2018) 2nd Generation (2020) 3rd Generation (2021) | 1st Generation (2018) 2nd Generation (2020) 3rd Generation (2021) 4th Generation (2022) |
| iPad Air | 2nd Generation (2014) 3rd Generation (2019) 4th Generation (2020) 5th Generation (2022) | 4th Generation (2020) 5th Generation (2022) |
| iPad | 5th Generation (2017) 6th Generation (2018) 7th Generation (2019) 8th Generation (2020) 9th Generation (2021) | 5th Generation (2017) 6th Generation (2018) 7th Generation (2019) 8the Generation (2020 9th Generation (2021) 10th Generation (2022) |
| iPad Mini | 4th Generation (2015) 5th Generation (2019) 6th Generation (2021) | 5th Generation (2019) 6th Generation (2021) |
For the up-to-date list of Procreate-supported iPad models, look at the newest update from the team at Procreate, located in beautiful Hobart, Tasmania – The latest version of Procreate and supported iPad models.
FAQs – Best iPad for Procreate
The best iPad for drawing in Procreate is the newest iPad Pro 12.9″ because of its newest technology (M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover), making drawing and painting on Procreate so enjoyable!
The cheapest iPad for Procreate is iPad Mini 5th generation because compared to the newest iPad 10.9″, it supports Apple Pencil 2nd Generation with the newest technology that makes using Procreate such a joy!
iPad Pro 12.9″ is better for Procreate than iPad Air 10.9″. Technology-wise, they are both very good tablets, but the iPad Pro 12.9″ has a bigger and brighter screen, an M2 chip, and supports the Apple Pencil hover feature. iPad Pro 11″ is also better for Procreate because it’s a newer model than the 10.9″ iPad Air.
No, Procreate is not worth it without an Apple Pencil. Drawing and painting with Apple Pencil on Procreate are out of this world! Using Apple Pencil is so intuitive that I sometimes forget I am drawing digitally!
Yes, you have to have an iPad for Procreate. Procreate is an app exclusively available on iPads. There is also Procreate Pocket available on iPhones.
The iPad requirements for Procreate are iOS 15.4.1 or later; min. 256GB storage or higher; min. 4GB RAM, but I recommend 8GB or higher; Apple Pencil 1 or Apple Pencil 2, depending on your iPad model.
No, you can’t use Procreate without an Apple Pencil. Since Procreate version 5.3, third-party styli are not supported. Depending on your iPad model, you can use Apple Pencil 1 or Apple Pencil 2.
What is the Best Way to Learn Procreate?
Master the Procreate features, improve your workflow, challenge your skills and use Procreate as a part of your creative business. Watch on Skillshare!
★ Click below to get a FREE Month of Skillshare (look for "redeem" on top)
Everybody talks about two things that make using Procreate so great
- One, the incredibly simple, natural, and intuitive interface and ease of use, and
- Two, the amazing amounts of tools, functions, controls, and advanced capabilities
This means, in a practical sense, that you can easily sit down and figure out how to make a beautiful piece of art with Procreate on your iPad, even without user guides or instructions.
Still, you can also spend loads of time and effort trying to figure out the other, higher-level things Procreate will do. And chances are that time and effort will be at least a little frustrating, and you still won’t even scratch the surface.
A much better idea would be to learn from an expert, especially from somebody who is not only a good, clear, and effective teacher but has been using Procreate in the real world and can show you how to fully understand and unlock the true potential of Procreate as an advanced and multi-dimensional tool for commercial or fine artists.
Many teachers and classes are out there, and lots of those meet these two qualifications.
Still, I am very happy to offer my online Procreate courses on the highly regarded SkillShare learning platform, and I am quite proud of them.
I feel like I get Procreate on all levels and can effectively present its most important and useful features, tools, and benefits. And I hope my enthusiasm makes learning even more fun and productive – I love art, drawing, teaching, and – in case this wasn’t clear – I love Procreate.
Please check out my courses using the links below, and if you have any questions about them, don’t hesitate to ask!
I hope my article helped you to choose your iPad for Procreate, and you will have a lot of fun drawing and painting in this amazing digital drawing app.
Visit my blog – Art Side of Life – for other buyer’s guides, online courses, articles, and other resources.
Other articles in the Drawing Tablets series:
- Best iPad for Drawing
- Best iPad Pro Accessories for Artists
- Best Standalone Drawing Tablet
- Best Animation Tablet
- Best Tablet for Photoshop
- Best Android Tablet for Drawing
- Best Samsung Tablet for Drawing
- Best Drawing Tablet with Screen for Artists
- Best Cheap Drawing Tablet with Screen
- Best Drawing Tablet for Kids
- 7 Best Digital Notepads & Smart Notebooks
- Wacom Tablet vs iPad Pro
- Huion vs. Wacom – Which Tablet is Better?
- XP Pen vs. Huion – Which Tablet is Better?
- Best Drawing Tablet Stand for Artists
- Best Drawing Stylus
If you are looking for free and premium Procreate brushes, here is the complete list of 50+ Free and Premium Procreate Brushes
Lis cet article en français 🇫🇷 Le meilleur iPad pour Procreate
