Considering getting a used iPad with Procreate

Michael Angelo Go

I made a previous post asking about how I could manage my time between my busy work life and being an artist. One suggestion was to bring a sketchbook wherever I go. But I do however prefer being a digital artist just because of the convenience.

I was hoping with the money that I earned from my new job I could save on classes and a new laptop to learn how to use Clip Studio Paint and Paintstorm Studio, but with my current laptop being 7 years old and fragile, I cannot risk lugging it around in fear it will break apart.

What iPad do you recommend that is both "affordable" but also has enough memory and processing power to help me create quality work? Do you recommend I buy something along with this? Like a satchel or case with a stand?

Was it easy to learn Procreate? I still currently use Paint Tool Sai Ver 2. I have also considered getting the latest version of Photoshop.

ArtMelC

@Michael-Angelo-Go if you are getting an old generation of iPad, do get the iPad pro version. I got mine that was an export set of the 2017 iPad pro and it is still serving me well for client and personal work. Procreate does have a learning curve to get the gestures and hidden functionalities, but once you get the hang of it, it is really intuitive.

My only problem with it, is the limitation in the number of layers if working on full spread, but I could get around that by duplicating the image and merging layers before creating the new layers.

agathe

@Michael-Angelo-Go I would also recommend getting an iPad pro if you get an iPad, that way you can use the new generations of Apple pencil (at least the generation 2) which really changed everything for me when I used it. I found procreate to be very easy to learn I think I watch one tutorial and that was it, its the most intuitive software I have ever used up until now. I am also working full time and am practically never home, so I always have my sketchbook and my ipad with me to be able to draw everywhere and it's fantastic!

Geoffrey Mégardon

I recommend buying a refurbished ipad pro from the official Apple website, they come with a new battery and a new screen (at least, at the time I bought one). That is just an amazing deal as the battery life is really the issue when buying second hand.

I bought my ipad pro 2018, 11 inch, 64GB at something like 500 pounds 1 or 2 years ago. My only regret? not spending more money and buying the 12.9 inch with more storage and RAM memory. But at the time, I just wanted to try the ipad pro; I did not know if it will be a good hardware or not.

For context, I tried many devices and avoided the ipad for many years because "I do not like Apple", and then after many disappointing experiences with many devices, I bought that refurbished Ipad pro and yeah, it is just the best hardware for drawing. Period. No parallax, no gap, no latency. You can draw without wondering why the results is bad compared to when you draw on paper. You can draw without having to reinstall all the drivers every month :D. The software is not the best (iOS is a mess of an UI, Procreate is missing a lot of features), but it works.

The benefit of the ipad pro over the ipad is less gap between the pen tip and the pixels when you draw.

To go with my ipad pro, I bought a wood drawing board to use my ipad on my desk while maintaining a good posture: Link here.
As opposed to a more fancy/pricy solution like the ipad Sketchboard Pro, a good old fashion wood drawing board works with traditional sketchbooks and with any other display tablets.

I also bought a paper-like screen protector. It does change everything, this little scratchy noise of pen on paper! To draw precise lines, it is essential to have a nice level of friction; try with and without the paper-like screen protector and see what helps you control your lines best. Also try a few different brands over time, the Paperlike brand is not necessary the one you will like best. The Paperlike brand has too much friction for my taste (feels like my pen is moving in a jar of jam).

My favorite software (all platform considered) is Procreate although I don't really like it. I love how good it is to draw with it, and how reliable it is (2-3 crash in 2 years on intensive use). But it is lacking important features and the company has no incentive to add features that improve the workflow of 2D artist. Their one-time payment strategy means that now they have attracted all the 2D artists of the ipad eco-system, there is no financial needs for them to add new 2D features. So what we get is 3D features to attract new kind of artists, for instance. I am secretly hoping they start to make paid upgrades or subscription so they can go back to make nice features for 2D artists.

Tom Harshberger

I bought one at Christmas this year. iPad pro, 2nd gen pen. It's been the best purchase I've made regarding illustration. I'd recommend getting the maxpack brushes as well.

As far as a case goes, get one that has an apple pencil holder. I have a case with a stand but it's too flimsy to draw with. There's a couple drawing specific foldable stands out there I've been looking at getting.

I'd also recommend following any of the number of procreate tips IG accounts. It's like drinking through a firehose at first, but those accounts have helped me learn all the 'secret' stuff.

ksfabian

@Michael-Angelo-Go I got the basic iPad 8 gen with a 1st Gen pencil and procreate. The entire setup ran me about $410 (procreate was $10) Best investment ever. I work fully in procreate and take my ipad with me everywhere I go. It's great. The difference between Procreate on the regular ipad and the pro is the limit on layers. But I don't use a lot of layers so I don't feel restricted by this.

NessIllustration

@Michael-Angelo-Go I bought a refurbished iPad pro 2018 last year. Runs smooth like butter. No regrets! Procreate the most intuitive and easy to learn art program I've ever tried. It's just a joy to use. I didn't understand the hype until I tried it. I bought my iPad less than a week after first trying it!

lpetiti

@NessIllustration I didn't understand it either. I was a die-hard Adobe purist even though my husband kept telling me to try out Procreate. Now I think its WAY better than Photoshop painting (unfortunately that's getting super clunky) or even Fresco.

NessIllustration

@lpetiti I know right? I was a Photoshop girl through and through before I tried Procreate...

Michael Angelo Go

@NessIllustration @lpetiti I have always been a hardcore Paint Tool Sai guy.

I have used Photoshop before, but not for illustration purposes. I have however used to add special effects after finishing an illustration.

lpetiti

@NessIllustration Now I try to teach my students painting in Photoshop and it just doesn't feel the same.

su xin

I currently use procreate a ton with my base model 9th gen iPad and Apple Pencil 1st gen, I absolutely love it.
my only regret was getting 64gb storage but even with some storage issues.

allysa

@Michael-Angelo-Go weighing in - I found procreate super intuitive. I know I’m no expert (I’m sure I don’t even know a fraction of the features) but I didn’t find it hard to jump in and start drawing.

Makser

I used also procreate with 9th gen iPad couple years ago. It was good enough. However, it was not working well, when I tried to do something with Photoshop. It was incredibly slow. When choosing device it’s better to think over what kind of cartoons you gonna create.

Makser

I mean, for example, there are different animation styles and types, like whiteboard, 2D, 3D, low- or high-poly etc. Each of them is made up with different drawing tools & apps. And the device shold have just enough capacity, depending on the chosen tool, its’ version & complexity.