Art Set 4 for iPhone

Overview for newcomers to digital sketching

Art Set 4 is a drawing and painting app designed to reproduce the sensation of traditional media on a touchscreen. It’s a good match for people moving from paper and pens to a digital workflow because its tools and canvas behavior feel familiar. The app is free to download, but many advanced features require a paid subscription. Compared with pro-level packages like Procreate, Art Set 4 leans toward simplicity, making it especially appealing to hobbyists or anyone who prefers a straightforward creative environment.

Toolset and creative controls

• Time-lapse recording captures your entire process, saving every brushstroke so you can replay how a piece developed.
• Zooming provides tight control for small details and fine line work.
• Canvas rotation lets you work naturally from different angles, similar to turning a sketchbook.
• The interface can be rearranged to suit your workflow, so frequently used tools are easy to access.
• You can selectively dry areas of the canvas to add new layers of color without unwanted blending.
• The app simulates canvas wetness, which allows colors to blend and mix in ways that mimic real paint.
• A premium upgrade unlocks a large library (200+ items) of specialized brushes and effects like charcoal, neon, and splatter.
• The free tier still includes core media, such as watercolor and oil pastel options for basic painting needs.

Shortcomings to be aware of

One notable limitation is the inability to import external brushes — you must work with the brushes provided by the app. The included help material is fairly basic and doesn’t walk you through advanced brush techniques, so achieving specific stroke behaviors often requires trial and error with settings like pressure, speed, and tilt. These restrictions can be frustrating for experienced artists who want fine-grained control or particular custom brushes.

Who this app suits best

Art Set 4 is best for beginners and casual artists who want an accessible, tactile-feeling painting app without the complexity of professional-grade software. Its realistic blending, customizable layout, and simple workflow make it an attractive option for practice, quick sketches, and hobby projects. If you need deep customization, brush importing, or extensive tutorial support, you may eventually find the app limiting.