What are the best programs for making art

[unknownghost]

hey guys im the creator of The Makeshifters and im just wondering what art programs are the best for young creators. I am currently using adobe illustrator and its really good, but im using the trial so soon i wont be able to use it. I was hoping if you could tell what the best fee programs are.

[joannekwan]

Illustrator is best for doing graphics and vectors, not really ideal if you want to draw or paint. I suggest Clip Studio Paint, since you can outright buy the program and use it forever and it's very affordable.

I'm using Photoshop CS6 (the version before they switched to monthly/annual payments. Eff you Adobe! I hate your subscription service). But I also have CSP on my PC to practice with. It's a good program!

[unknownghost]

thank you for that reply it was pretty helpful

[AoDLegacy]

GIMP is ok if you're starting out, but Manga Studio / Clip Studio Paint is your best best for some good quality. GIMP costs nothing, but doesn't have the quality of Manga Studio. That being say, it's a good back up for if you find the resolution setting feature to be annoying / not as precise as you'd like, plus some effect generation works better on GIMP.

[Heck]

Any program can be free if you know where to find it!

I have a cracked version of PS which is probably the best thing I have. Though Illustrator really is top notch for comics, I've had some trouble finding newer versions.. If you want something official and decent for free, I rec Medibang

[Sketchdoll]

For the bulk of my comic, I used Adobe Photoshop for everything. I've since started inking in Clip Paint Studios. The pen tool is just a lot nicer! I still color and add my speech bubbles and all that in Photoshop though. I'm just way more comfortable working in Photoshop (have been using it 10+ years.) My one suggestion is, whatever program you do end up working in, get familiar with the interface and shortcut keys. This will save you a ton of headaches in the future

Also, if you are limited to only using a mouse, as opposed to a tablet, that may also make a difference in what program you use. Just food for thought.

[spadesart]

i use paint tool sai with a truckload of preinstalled brushes and textures. its pretty (ok hand)

[Ringarune]

If you want a free program that's legal to download, I recommend medibang paint https://medibangpaint.com/en/pc/

[demthorshie]

Clip Studio for inking, Adobe Photoshop for painting. I never could figure out how to paint properly in Clip Studio .

[LordVincent]

I use:
Paint Tool SAI for inking (has a stabilizer. LIFESAVER AND SAVES HOURS OF PRESSING THE UNDO BUTTON OR ZOOMING IN TOO MUCH WHEN INKING)
MangaStudio 5/Clip Studio for toning and various tone/brush effects.
Photoshop for coloring and adding. However if that's all you use it for, and you aren't already in the habit of using photoshop, you may as well get used to using mangastudio or sai for that.

[Shanny8]

I use Clip Studio for my drawing/inking. You can use Clip Studio to do coloring & lettering as well...

I use Photoshop for my coloring(coz I dont like Clip Studio's gradient tool/effects, and I use quite a bit of gradients in my backgrounds) & Illustrator for lettering & logo designs.

[aFistFull]

I use Manga Studio 5 and it's great for me. Selection of brushes are quite low but you can easily buy some or even get them for free. I love it and back up the other posters love of it.

[punkarsenic]

photoshop is good - if you can get an old copy or a pirate - because it has a wide range of tools, and its the industry standard.

clip studio paint is popular on here, but i have no experience with it.

paint tool sai is very easy to pirate, and is made for drawing so its good for comics. its vectors and lettering are.... nonexistent.. but if you can live with that its good. i use sai personally.

firealpaca is a free, apple-friendly program thats very similar to sai.

[Zanreo]

Clip Studio Paint for everything, love it

[SynergyEclipse]

I use Inkscape for nearly every part of my comic, and export the pages into Photoshop for the finishing touches that would be too tedious to do with vectors. Inkscape is free, and a lot can be done with it, but there's a learning curve to it. This setup works for me because I'm very used to working with vectors.

[mileshonor]

I personally use Clip Studio Paint ( aka Manga Studio). I think it's more user-friendly than photoshop and it gets the job done. Its paintbrush simulation brushes are a bit limited, but luckily, it supports custom brushes like photoshop that you can download elsewhere. I use Clip Studi Paint add-ons for all the brushes in my comic, Betwixt. I think the program is around 40 bucks (a lot cheaper than photoshop). Remember though, it is the skill of the person, not the software, that makes your work look good.

Best of luck!

[Caffinedragon]

The best free program I have used is Medibang paint. Otherwise, if you are willing to spend quite a bit of money, I highly recommend Clip Studio Paint, it also goes on sale fairly often.

[unknownghost]

Makeshift here, are there any other programs

[JimJom]

i use sai and thats good
also, was your account taken down?