These top free sites for creating digital art range from simple web apps for preschoolers to sophisticated software for advanced students, educators, and professionals.
While some of these digital art sites and apps can serve as essential tools for classroom or online art programs, all of them are fun to explore and experiment with. The beauty of working digitally for students is that it allows them to easily create, mix media, and share their work with peers and family.
The best free sites to create digital art
Automatic drawing
Autodraw is a simply charming site with an unexpected artificial intelligence capability that invites those without artistic talent to turn their doodles into authentic line drawings created by real artists. Just start drawing and select from the drawings provided. But it is also ideal for the more talented, who are invited to Submit your own work of art to include on the site. The easy-to-navigate website allows users to download creations as png files, as well as share their work via links. No account is needed – just start creating.
Meta Cartoons
An ai demo project that transforms your still drawings into animated characters that walk, dance, jump, wave, and generally act a little crazy, in a fun way. A great way for your students to add a story to their original artwork. Save and share as mp4 files.
Ink landscape
This full-featured vector drawing program is completely free and available for download on Windows, Mac OS x, and Linux. There is a slight learning curve, but Inkscape offers a wide range of tools. video tutorialwith timestamps so users can easily view the desired subject. Inkscape's online community is another source of knowledge for both new and experienced users. Ideal for advanced art and design students.
Exploring the creative process with 'Live Art'
This art lesson from The New York Times It includes videos of artists at work, lesson ideas for educators, experimental techniques, and a guide to developing stories and characters. In addition to being free and not requiring an account, all videos and other linked resources are also free and do not require an account (even facebook video links do not require a login; just close the requested login window to view the video).
How to Photograph Interesting People in Your Community: A Guide to Taking Portraits
Almost everyone has the ability to take digital images with the ubiquitous mobile phone. In this lesson we will learn how to take digital images. The New York TimesStudents will learn the five steps to creating compelling portraits with a camera or cell phone. After reading the article, students can try a digital scavenger hunt through free NYT articles, identifying techniques that professional photographers deploy. Free article, no account required; all linked resources are also free.
GL Sculpture
3D digital sculpting web app that works through your browser or as a free downloadable program. This powerful and comprehensive software supports 10 languages, file import and export, and allows users to start sculpting right away, without needing an account. Its creator, Stéphane Ginier, offers helpful shortcuts as well as links to YouTube tutorials.
Random Art Prompt Generator for Kids
Sometimes even the most creative among us need inspiration. This easy-to-use website generates suggestions to help inspire budding artists. Ideas range from a single word (e.g. gold, electric) to elaborate scenarios (e.g. create a piece in a Caravaggist style. Using pale yellow colors, evoke a sense of appreciation, and set the subject in Capri). Plenty of suggestions for an entire classroom!
Mandalay Gaba
You don't need to be familiar with Eastern religions or the popular drawing game Spirograph to appreciate this quirky design tool, which somehow manages to combine elements of both. The digital geometric drawing board automatically generates reflections of the drawn line, creating magical, perfect symmetry. Designs can be exported as .png images.
Bomomo
Simple and incredibly fun drawing site. By experimenting with their computer mouse, kids learn how the 20 unnamed tools and variety of spinning circles can help them create works of art. Caution: slightly addictive.
JacksonPollack.org
A fascinating and super-easy digital canvas that allows users to immediately start painting in the style of Jackson Pollack. Created by Greek artist Miltos Manetas, the site comes with no instructions, so kids can experiment to discover the rules of painting with a mouse or touchpad. How do users change colors, lines, and shapes? Try it out and find out.
Fell
KRITA is a free and open source digital painting software for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux, lovingly crafted and focused on illustration, concept art, matte painting, texturing, comics and animation. This comprehensive and complete digital program offers full documentation, while a vibrant user community supports sharing and collaboration. Ideal for advanced art students, educators and professionals.
Create comical beliefs
A comic creation site with a friendly, lighthearted vibe. Creator Bill Zimmerman includes a wealth of resources on the site, including teacher tools and lesson plans, a coronavirus comic journal, literacy and ESL help, sections for special needs, and much more. Kids of any level of artistic talent will enjoy creating their own comics.
Sketchpad
An impressive free website that offers extensive digital tools for creating, exporting, and sharing digital paintings and drawings. Site visitors can choose from many styles, effects, and gradients, while the User Guide provides clear instructions for creating and managing artwork. All of Sketchpad's features are completely free when used in a browser window. If you prefer the ability to work offline, you can use a Download for Mac and PC It costs only $4.95.
Toy theatre
Ideal for children in preschool through sixth grade, the art section of this site includes a variety of simple art creation tools, such as Spiral Art, Animation Station, Cube 3D block play, and many others. Bonus: Toy Theatre's extensive collection of educational games.