Free Tools Every Artist Should Know
From drawing and design to time tracking and promotion, here’s a round-up of free tools that every artist whether digital or traditional should keep in their creative toolkit.
Introduction
Being an artist today goes far beyond the sketchpad. Whether you're creating digital illustrations, painting canvases, or building an audience online, the right tools can make a huge difference. Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank to access powerful features. We've compiled a list of free tools that can support your creativity, streamline your process, and help you shine online.
1. Krita
For: Digital painting, illustration, animation
Krita is a powerful open-source painting program made by artists, for artists. It's got all the brushes, stabilizers, and layers you need for illustration or concept art without the monthly subscription.
2. Canva
For: Quick design, posters, portfolio graphics
Need to create something fast? Canva makes designing social posts, flyers, or even portfolio slides super easy. It’s drag-and-drop and doesn’t require any design experience.
3. Artbreeder
For: Inspiration, character design, concept art
Artbreeder lets you “breed” images together to create something new. Great for generating character ideas or reimagining your work from a fresh angle.
4. GIMP
For: Photo editing, compositing, digital art
Think of GIMP as the free cousin of Photoshop. It’s been around for years and is still one of the most powerful tools for artists working on a budget.
5. Adobe Express
For: Templates, quick edits, motion graphics
Previously Adobe Spark, Express is Adobe’s lighter, web-based design tool. You can make quick edits, create reels or social videos, and even use motion templates.
6. Blender
For: 3D art, animation, modeling
If you're even slightly curious about 3D, Blender is where to start. It's industry-level powerful — and completely free.
7. ArtStation
For: Portfolio building and job discovery
While not a design tool per se, ArtStation is a free platform where artists can showcase their portfolio, get discovered, and find freelance gigs.
8. Behance
For: Showcasing your work, connecting with other creatives
Behance isn’t just for designers. It’s also a growing space for painters, illustrators, animators, and experimental artists. It’s a free portfolio and community rolled into one.
9. Pexels & Unsplash
For: Free images and textures
Sometimes you need a reference, a background, or just texture. These two sites are goldmines of free, high-quality images.
10. WeTransfer
For: Sending large files
Sharing your portfolio or sending layered files? WeTransfer makes it super easy to send up to 2GB — no login needed.
Final Thoughts
Tools don’t replace talent. But they can support your process, speed up your workflow, or give you room to play. And when they’re free? Even better.
Which of these tools have you tried? Are there any hidden gems we missed? Got one we missed? Reach out and tell us, we’ll definitely credit you😁.
Happy creating.
Introduction
Being an artist today goes far beyond the sketchpad. Whether you're creating digital illustrations, painting canvases, or building an audience online, the right tools can make a huge difference. Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank to access powerful features. We've compiled a list of free tools that can support your creativity, streamline your process, and help you shine online.
1. Krita
For: Digital painting, illustration, animation
Krita is a powerful open-source painting program made by artists, for artists. It's got all the brushes, stabilizers, and layers you need for illustration or concept art without the monthly subscription.
2. Canva
For: Quick design, posters, portfolio graphics
Need to create something fast? Canva makes designing social posts, flyers, or even portfolio slides super easy. It’s drag-and-drop and doesn’t require any design experience.
3. Artbreeder
For: Inspiration, character design, concept art
Artbreeder lets you “breed” images together to create something new. Great for generating character ideas or reimagining your work from a fresh angle.
4. GIMP
For: Photo editing, compositing, digital art
Think of GIMP as the free cousin of Photoshop. It’s been around for years and is still one of the most powerful tools for artists working on a budget.
5. Adobe Express
For: Templates, quick edits, motion graphics
Previously Adobe Spark, Express is Adobe’s lighter, web-based design tool. You can make quick edits, create reels or social videos, and even use motion templates.
6. Blender
For: 3D art, animation, modeling
If you're even slightly curious about 3D, Blender is where to start. It's industry-level powerful — and completely free.
7. ArtStation
For: Portfolio building and job discovery
While not a design tool per se, ArtStation is a free platform where artists can showcase their portfolio, get discovered, and find freelance gigs.
8. Behance
For: Showcasing your work, connecting with other creatives
Behance isn’t just for designers. It’s also a growing space for painters, illustrators, animators, and experimental artists. It’s a free portfolio and community rolled into one.
9. Pexels & Unsplash
For: Free images and textures
Sometimes you need a reference, a background, or just texture. These two sites are goldmines of free, high-quality images.
10. WeTransfer
For: Sending large files
Sharing your portfolio or sending layered files? WeTransfer makes it super easy to send up to 2GB — no login needed.
Final Thoughts
Tools don’t replace talent. But they can support your process, speed up your workflow, or give you room to play. And when they’re free? Even better.
Which of these tools have you tried? Are there any hidden gems we missed? Got one we missed? Reach out and tell us, we’ll definitely credit you😁.
Happy creating.
Introduction
Being an artist today goes far beyond the sketchpad. Whether you're creating digital illustrations, painting canvases, or building an audience online, the right tools can make a huge difference. Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank to access powerful features. We've compiled a list of free tools that can support your creativity, streamline your process, and help you shine online.
1. Krita
For: Digital painting, illustration, animation
Krita is a powerful open-source painting program made by artists, for artists. It's got all the brushes, stabilizers, and layers you need for illustration or concept art without the monthly subscription.
2. Canva
For: Quick design, posters, portfolio graphics
Need to create something fast? Canva makes designing social posts, flyers, or even portfolio slides super easy. It’s drag-and-drop and doesn’t require any design experience.
3. Artbreeder
For: Inspiration, character design, concept art
Artbreeder lets you “breed” images together to create something new. Great for generating character ideas or reimagining your work from a fresh angle.
4. GIMP
For: Photo editing, compositing, digital art
Think of GIMP as the free cousin of Photoshop. It’s been around for years and is still one of the most powerful tools for artists working on a budget.
5. Adobe Express
For: Templates, quick edits, motion graphics
Previously Adobe Spark, Express is Adobe’s lighter, web-based design tool. You can make quick edits, create reels or social videos, and even use motion templates.
6. Blender
For: 3D art, animation, modeling
If you're even slightly curious about 3D, Blender is where to start. It's industry-level powerful — and completely free.
7. ArtStation
For: Portfolio building and job discovery
While not a design tool per se, ArtStation is a free platform where artists can showcase their portfolio, get discovered, and find freelance gigs.
8. Behance
For: Showcasing your work, connecting with other creatives
Behance isn’t just for designers. It’s also a growing space for painters, illustrators, animators, and experimental artists. It’s a free portfolio and community rolled into one.
9. Pexels & Unsplash
For: Free images and textures
Sometimes you need a reference, a background, or just texture. These two sites are goldmines of free, high-quality images.
10. WeTransfer
For: Sending large files
Sharing your portfolio or sending layered files? WeTransfer makes it super easy to send up to 2GB — no login needed.
Final Thoughts
Tools don’t replace talent. But they can support your process, speed up your workflow, or give you room to play. And when they’re free? Even better.
Which of these tools have you tried? Are there any hidden gems we missed? Got one we missed? Reach out and tell us, we’ll definitely credit you😁.
Happy creating.
Get Featured.
Art. Articles. Design. Reviews. + More.