Do you need a high-end computer or an all-in-one portable tablet in order to create digital art? Not necessarily! There are more affordable ways to get creative than ever before. One of the easiest entries into digital creativity is the humble Chromebook.
About Chromebooks
Just in case anyone needs an introduction, a Chromebook is a simplified laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS. They’re intended primarily as vehicles for browsing the internet and using web services, and are staples in classrooms around the United States for their simplicity and ease of use.
While they primarily use web-based services accessible via the Chrome browser, they can also run Android apps via the Play Store. And despite what you might have heard about them in past years, Chromebooks have come a long way lately, with manufacturers increasingly rolling out mid-range and even high-end Chromebooks, with specs comparable to Windows laptops – and sometimes they even have faster actual performance, since the OS consumes next-to-no system resources.
If you have a Chromebook, simply add a Chromebook-compatible drawing tablet – the Wacom Intuos pen tablet and Wacom One 14 pen display are excellent, affordable, entry-level options – and the right creative software. Then your Chromebook can become a drawing tool that allows you to express your creativity and your unique style.
What Chromebook specs will I need?
There are a wide range of art programs you can run on Chromebooks. Some of them will run on virtually any Chromebook, and some might require a slightly higher-end device. Generally speaking, you don't need to worry too much about specs with Chromebook – but if you have a lower-end device, then it may lag a bit if you try to create a large canvas with multiple layers, for example. If you're shopping for a Chromebook, you might want to go for at least a mid-range one so you don’t suffer from cursor lag when drawing. Generally, anything with a decent processor and at least 4 GB of RAM should be enough to run any of the programs listed below.
What drawing tablets can I use with Chromebook?
Wacom Intuos
This has been the gold standard for pen tablets since the 90s. The Small version comes in a wired or a Bluetooth Wireless version, and there's a Medium size one for extra space as well! Wacom Intuos is Works with Chromebook certified, so it should work seamlessly with most Chromebooks! Note: Wacom Intuos connects via USB-A. You may need a USB converter on some Chromebooks. Learn more.
Wacom One 14
Wacom's most affordable drawing display, Wacom One offering the same peerless pen-on-screen drawing experience as a Wacom Cintiq in a smaller, more budget-friendly package. Both the monitor and its pen are lightweight, so it's easy to travel with. Note: Wacom One 14 connects via USB-C. You may need a USB converter on some Chromebooks. Learn more.
What art software will run on Chromebook?
The ability to run Android apps gives you far more choices than you’d have in-browser alone: too many to fit a real guide to them into this article. But here are a bunch of suggestions!
Your best options
Here are what I consider the top options, followed by a bunch more that might be just as good, but that I just haven’t tried.
- Clip Studio Paint: The mobile version is nearly as full-featured as the desktop version. In my personal opinion, it's the GOAT art program. Even better, any purchase of Wacom Intuos or Wacom One 14 comes with a free three month trial of Clip Studio Paint Pro!
- Magma: This browser-based collaborative art program allows multiple people to work together on the same canvas online!
- Sketchbook: This is a simple, lightweight, app famous for its drawing tools.
- IbisPaint: A very popular and versatile drawing app with tons of brushes available.
- Krita: This one differentiates itself from the others in that it’s not a phone app, but a whole “desktop-class” art program that’s merely installed through Play Store.
Other options to consider
Browser-based Apps: Sketchpad, Photopea, Kleki, Pixilart Draw, Sketch.io, Sumo
Android Apps: Medibang Paint, Tayasui Sketches, Infinite Painter, ArtFlow, Pixel Studio, PaperColor
That’s more than 15 apps in total! So if there’s anything stopping you from drawing on your Chromebook, it won’t be a lack of options.
