iPad + Apple Pencil for Digital Art - Should I buy?

11/27/2020

I am not endorsed by Apple. I do not get commission for this post. I just hate that I really like their product and have to recommend it.

Let's get something straight - I am an Android girl. I despise Apple and the fact that they put a premium on upgrading like their iMacs and laptops, their phones are a scam at best each time they come out with an even more expensive smartphone with minimal new features (or take away features - freaking cringe man).

However, regrettably, I have one Apple product in my house. It is my prized gem and I would be hard pressed to find a replacement for it. I have an iPad + Apple Pencil and I use it for all my digital art. 

It literally PAINS me to write this endorsement of an Apple product but I just can't find a replacement for this dang thing. I feels GREAT to use like I'm painting or drawing on traditional art paper (especially when coupled with the Paperlike screen protector that I covered in another article) It's small, the battery won't freaking die, I feel bougie as eff when I walk around the house with it like some CEO of a media firm in LA. Believe me, the cat and husband are super impressed.

And before you say it YES I've tried alternatives, I'VE TRIED THEM. It's just not the same, they've unlocked some secret here with the iPad + Apple Pencil. It's almost as if they designed this thing to say "Ha, see even YOU can't resist Apple Products, Thrush!"...and here we are. I spent 10 years or so in denial and 3 years ago I finally bought the dang thing. I through clenched teeth told my husband, then fiancé, "Honey, I gotta try this." He looked at me shocked "Babe, but it's an Apple product-" I spat out "I KNOW THAT, YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT!" then sobbing and credit card swiping commenced. 

I have to say though the iPad + Apple Pencil for digital art would be nothing without the Apple exclusive software: Procreate. One time purchase of like $10 or so gets you a phenomenal program which I will likely cover in another article cause, gosh dang, it's good! My current iPad is the 12.9 iPad pro 4th generation + Apple Pencil 2nd generation that basically handles anything I throw at it and it's really decent size. I couple this setup with a mirroring software and use it for streaming on my computer. If you're from the traditional art realm and want to be better at digital, I gotta recommend at the very least that you try a friend's iPad for digital art with Procreate. It's fantastic and nowadays I can't imagine creating digital art without this tool in my process. 

Here's the link to the one I have: https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/ (I'm still mad that this is the best thing on the market. Come on, Wacom, get your crap together so I can leave Apple in the dust.)