Drawing on my iPad

I was one of those early nerds who couldn’t wait to get my hands on the first Apple iPad. I had been using my iPhone to draw using an app called Brushes. One of my art heroes, David Hockney, had been doing daily drawings on his iPhone and sending them to friends.

I was intrigued by the images. The phone was too small for me, and I embraced the larger iPad immediately. I took it traveling and found I could have full color to work with. Because the app allows for layers and transparency, it was much like painting and allowed me to match subtle colors.

Soon it was the only art supply I brought with me on trips. I can spend hours in a museum drawing from the masters or catching a quick gesture drawing at the museum cafe.

Many styluses are available, including the Apple Pencil, which recharges while it is attached magnetically to the iPad.

I highly encourage anyone who loves to draw to pick up an iPad and a stylus and start playing with the various drawing apps available. I use the Brushes and Procreate apps and find them easy to learn (with a little patience). There are plenty of videos to show you how to get the most from these programs. In the end, there are endless ways to make art, and this is worth trying.