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I'm an illustrator looking to finally go digital, and I'm completely torn between starting with Procreate on an iPad or just learning Photoshop on my computer. The procreate vs photoshop discussion is everywhere, but most comparisons focus on professionals. For a total beginner who just wants to draw, is one clearly more approachable?

Procreate is built for drawing and it shows. You can start sketching the moment you open it, with a simple UI and responsive brushes. Photoshop is a powerhouse, but the learning curve is steeper and you’ll juggle lots of tools early on. If you’re torn, do you want to try a short trial on iPad first or jump into desktop drawing more directly?

A lot of beginners find the entry barrier lower with Procreate because it focuses on the act of drawing, not file management, fonts, or vectors. Photoshop covers a lot more ground, which can be helpful later if you want to edit photos or composite. Do you see yourself needing photo editing in your workflow soon?

Hardware matters. If you already have an iPad and Apple Pencil, Procreate feels natural and portable. If you’re on a PC/Mac with a keyboard and want multitasking, Photoshop might fit your setup better.

Try a mini duel: make a small character sketch in Procreate for a week, then a simple illustration in Photoshop the next week. Compare how fast you get a clean result and how comfortable the interface feels.

Many artists eventually use both, using Procreate for roughs and Photoshop for polish. It isn’t a crime to start with one and pick up the other later when you need it.

Think about the kinds of projects you want to do long term. If you see yourself doing comics, concept art, or quick concept sketches, Procreate looks appealing; if you want tight control over color, typography, or print-ready assets, Photoshop might be worth the extra effort.

If you want a structured tryout, I can draft a simple 2-week plan to test both tools side by side. Interested?

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