ibis Paint X for iPhone

Quick overview

ibis Paint X is a no-cost drawing and design app for smartphones and tablets, created by ibis inc. It combines a wide range of sketching and editing tools aimed at both casual creators and experienced illustrators. While it can handle basic photo adjustments, its strongest appeal is for artists who favor anime- and manga-style artwork.

What the app does

At its core, ibis Paint X is built around drawing and illustration. It supports:

• importing reference images and adding framed panels for comic-style layouts
• advanced text placement and multiple screen-tone options commonly used in manga
• a large selection of brushes and brush settings for different line weights and textures

You can export finished pieces as images or recorded drawing videos and connect with the app’s community to show work or receive feedback.

Notable features

• A library of more than 2,000 brushes that cover a wide variety of textures, sizes, and effects
• Layer support with per-layer controls such as opacity adjustments, duplication, rotation, and blending
• Built-in filters and sketch effects tailored to anime/manga aesthetics

These tools make it straightforward to produce panel-based comics, stylized illustrations, or detailed character art.

Strengths and trade-offs

• Strength: Extremely customizable brushes and robust layer functionality, making it suitable for detailed, polished work.
• Strength: Tools and presets oriented toward manga-style production (screen tones, panel framing, specialized text tools).
• Trade-off: New users may find the interface overwhelming; the app doesn’t provide extensive beginner tutorials.
• Trade-off: On smaller phones the UI can feel cramped—ibis Paint X performs best on larger displays or tablets.

Final thoughts and recommendation

If you want a powerful, free drawing app—especially one optimized for anime or manga techniques—ibis Paint X is worth trying. It provides ample tools for both newcomers willing to learn and seasoned artists seeking flexible, feature-rich software. Keep in mind the learning curve and consider using a tablet for the best experience.