ibis Paint

First Impressions: A Familiar Friend on the Big Screen

If you've ever doodled on your phone with ibis Paint, you know the thrill of its fluid brushes and forgiving undo button. Now, imagine that experience transplanted to your Windows laptop or desktop, with a canvas that finally matches your ambitions. That's exactly what ibis Paint for Windows delivers: a full-featured digital painting app that feels like a comfortable upgrade rather than a clumsy port. Developed by ibis inc., the team behind the wildly popular mobile version, this app carves out a sweet spot between “too simple” and “overwhelmingly complex.” It won't replace Photoshop for commercial work, but for sketching, coloring, and even light illustration, it might just become your daily driver.

The app is free with optional in-app purchases (more on that later), and you can grab it right from the Microsoft Store. Let's dive into what it does well, where it stumbles, and who should click “install” right now.

The Heart of the Matter: Brushes and Layers

A brush engine that punches above its weight

ibis Paint's brush library is honestly impressive. You get over 100 brushes out of the box, ranging from smooth airbrushes to textured pencils and watercolor-like smudge tools. Each brush can be tweaked in real time—size, opacity, flow, even the angle of the stroke. What sets it apart from many free alternatives is the stabilization system. You can set a “stroke stabilization” value to smooth out wobbly lines, which is a lifesaver if you draw with a mouse or a less glossy stylus. It doesn't quite match the silkiness of Clip Studio Paint's stabilizer, but it's close enough for most casual and intermediate artists.

Layer management that doesn't feel cramped

Layers are handled smoothly. You can create standard layers, multiply layers, screen layers, clipping masks, and more. The interface keeps the layer panel docked on the right side, and you can drag layers to reorder, adjust opacity, and set blend modes with a single tap. One standout feature is the ability to “merge visible” and “flatten” without losing your minds. For a free (or cheap) app, the layer count is generous—up to dozens depending on resolution. The only catch? Heavy files with many layers can slow down older machines, but that's par for the course in digital art software.

Something Special: Time-lapse Recording and Stabilization

If I had to pick two features that make ibis Paint for Windows stand out, it would be the one-tap time-lapse recording and the replay-compatible workflow. With a simple toggle, the app automatically records your entire painting process and exports it as a neat MP4 video. You can share it to social media, use it as a portfolio proof, or just watch yourself draw for that satisfying “drawing progress” video. The recording doesn't slow down the app noticeably, and the output quality is good enough for YouTube shorts.

The second special sauce is the customisable gesture controls. You can assign actions—undo, zoom, rotate canvas, toggle brush size—to multi-finger taps on a touchscreen or to specific buttons on your stylus. For a Windows app that also supports touch, this makes the whole experience feel less like a mouse-driven tool and more like a digital sketchbook. Pair it with a Surface Pen or any Wacom tablet, and you'll hardly need to touch the keyboard.

User Experience: Smooth Sailing or Rocky Waters?

Interface: clean but busy

The interface is clearly inspired by the mobile version, which means everything is arranged in floating windows. On a 13-inch laptop screen, it can feel a bit cramped—the brush toolbar, layer panel, color picker, and tool options fight for real estate. You can collapse panels and switch to full-screen mode, but it takes some tweaking. On a larger external monitor, though, it's much more comfortable. The learning curve is shallow for anyone who has used any digital painting app before. Absolute beginners might feel overwhelmed by the number of buttons, but ibis Paint provides helpful tooltips when you hover over an icon (in English).

Performance: mostly solid

On a modern laptop with an i5 processor and integrated graphics, the app runs smoothly up to about 3000x3000 px canvases. Larger canvases with many layers cause lag, and brush strokes on “ultra high” quality might stutter. It's not a problem for quick sketches or average illustrations, but if you plan to work on billboard-sized prints, you might want to look elsewhere. The app also consumes a fair amount of RAM—just keep that in mind if you're multitasking.

How It Stacks Up: ibis Paint vs. the Competition

Compared to Krita (free, open‑source), ibis Paint offers a more streamlined experience out of the box. Krita is incredibly powerful, but its interface can be intimidating for someone just starting out. Compared to Clip Studio Paint (paid), ibis Paint lacks advanced features like 3D models, perspective rulers, and vector layers. But for casual drawing, manga panels, and social media illustrations, ibis Paint gives you 80% of the functionality at 0% of the cost. The time-lapse recording and gesture customization are features that even Clip Studio charges extra for (via its “extra” tools).

Another niche strength: cross-device workflow. Since ibis Paint is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows, you can start a sketch on your phone and finish it on your PC (though there's no automatic cloud sync—you'll need to transfer files manually). This flexibility is rare in the free art app world.

Final Verdict: Who Should Get It?

I'd recommend ibis Paint for Windows to anyone who wants a capable, free-ish digital painting tool without the complexity of professional software. It's especially great for beginners, hobbyists, and influencers who want to easily create shareable process videos. If you're a seasoned illustrator working on commercial projects, you might outgrow it quickly, but it's still worth keeping around for quick doodles or when you're away from your main workstation.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. The only real downsides are the lack of native cloud sync and the occasional lag on large canvases. But for the price (free, with a very reasonable one-time upgrade to remove ads and unlock a few extra brushes), it's hard to complain. Give it a try—your next digital masterpiece might start here.

FAQ

How do I start a new drawing and choose a canvas size in ibis Paint?

To start a new drawing, tap the '+' icon on the home screen, then select canvas size from presets or customize width and height. You can also choose background color and orientation. Path: Home > + > Canvas Settings.

Can I use ibis Paint for free, and what are the limitations in the free version?

Yes, ibis Paint is free to download. The free mode limits editing to one hour per day. You can still use brushes, layers, and other features during that time. After the limit, you must wait or purchase a plan. Path: Menu > Subscription Status.

How do I record my drawing process and share it with others?

Tap the record button (circle icon) on the toolbar to start recording your canvas. Once finished, the video is saved automatically. You can share it via the SNS feature or export to your gallery. Path: Playback Menu > Record Button > Share.

What blending modes are available in ibis Paint and how do I use them?

ibis Paint offers 27 blending modes including Multiply, Screen, Overlay, and Add. To use them, select a layer, tap the blending mode dropdown (Normal by default), and choose your desired mode. This affects how the layer interacts with layers below. Path: Layer Panel > Blending Mode.

How can I create symmetrical drawings using the ruler tools?

Tap the Ruler icon in the toolbar, then choose Symmetry Ruler. You can set the number of symmetry axes (e.g., 2, 4, 6) and adjust the center point. Lines drawn on one side are mirrored automatically. Path: Tools > Ruler > Symmetry Ruler.

How do I import custom brushes or materials into ibis Paint?

To import custom brush patterns, you need a Prime Membership or Pro add-on. Tap the Brush icon, select the import option, and choose a .png or .abr file from your device. For materials, go to the Material tab and tap Import. Path: Brush Palette > Import > Select File.