Our Verdict
Clip Studio Paint is a powerful and versatile tool that stands out in the world of digital art software.
It caters to our unique requirements as anime and manga artists, offering us an extensive set of features and drawing tools, impressive brush sensitivity, and a user-friendly interface.
With a range of pricing options and constant improvements, CSP is a valuable addition to our toolkit, whether we're beginners or seasoned pros.
Despite a minor drawback in text editing, its extensive capabilities make it our go-to choice for professional artists or anyone looking to bring their imaginative visions to life.
What is Clip Studio Paint?
Clip Studio Paint is a digital art and drawing software that caters specifically to the anime and manga artist community. It provides us with a comprehensive suite of tools and features for creating not only static illustrations but also dynamic animations.
Some of the unique features we explored include perspective rulers, reference layers, vector layers, a vector eraser, speech balloons, paper textures, watercolor effects, oil paint blending modes, and the ability to save and name customized tools, among others. It's not just a drawing tool; it's a versatile solution for us artists looking to bring our creations to life.
How Clip Studio Paint Works
Clip Studio Paint is like a hybrid of Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop, minus the photo correction tools. This unique blend allows users to seamlessly work with raster and vector layers in the same file, providing unmatched flexibility in digital art creation.
The software also comes equipped with powerful organizational tools to assist in comic book page layout, streamlining the creative process for artists.
One of CSP's standout features is its ability to produce smooth and precise strokes that adapt to your pressure, making it an ideal choice for digital artists. When used in conjunction with a drawing tablet, it delivers exceptional sensitivity, allowing artists to achieve a wide range of line thickness and style.
Furthermore, the brushes in CSP are tailored for drawing, making it a robust competitor even against industry-standard software like Photoshop.
Customization is another key strength of CSP. The software allows users to import or create their own custom brushes, enabling artists to fine-tune their tools to meet their specific artistic needs.
Key Features
Clip Studio Paint offers a plethora of features that make it an appealing choice for both beginners and experienced comic artists. It boasts an expansive asset library, complete with standard models and scenes, as well as the ability to create custom backgrounds, moving illustrations, and animations.
With 36 unique comic panel layouts and pre-made page templates, it sparks creativity while also catering to the advanced user who wants to create their layouts from scratch.
We've organized the following features based on different art genres:
Concept Art & Painting
Custom Brushes: Clip Studio Paint provides an extensive library of customizable brushes that allow us to create unique and professional-looking artwork. During our testing, we experimented with various brush settings to create different textures and effects. We found that the customizable brushes offered a high level of versatility, enabling us to achieve our desired artistic style with ease.
Customizable 3D References: Artists can utilize customizable 3D references to aid in creating detailed and accurate concept art, giving our illustrations depth and perspective. We tested this feature by importing 3D models into our workspace and adjusting them to match our desired poses. The ability to customize the 3D references proved invaluable in helping us create lifelike and dynamic concept art.
Gradient Maps: The software offers gradient mapping tools that enable artists to add depth and dimension to their concept art, enhancing the visual appeal of their creations. We experimented with gradient maps to add atmospheric effects and mood to our artwork. The gradient mapping tools proved to be intuitive and powerful, allowing us to achieve stunning visual effects with minimal effort.
Character Art
3D Model & AI Posing: Clip Studio Paint offers 3D models and AI posing options, making it easier for artists to sketch and pose characters realistically. During our testing, we used the 3D models and AI posing features to quickly generate dynamic poses for our characters. We found that these features streamlined our workflow and helped us create more lifelike character art in less time.
Sophisticated Fill Tools: Artists can take advantage of advanced fill tools to quickly and efficiently color their character designs, saving time and effort. We tested these fill tools on complex character designs with intricate details and found that they provided smooth and consistent color fills without any pixelation or distortion.
Decoration Brush Tools: The software includes a variety of decoration brushes to add intricate details and textures to character art, enhancing the overall visual impact. We experimented with different decoration brushes to add fine details such as fur, scales, and textures to our character designs. The decoration brush tools proved to be versatile and customizable, allowing us to add depth and personality to our characters with ease.
Illustration for Design
Vector Line with a Hand-Drawn Feel: Clip Studio Paint allows for vector lines with a hand-drawn feel, perfect for creating illustrations with a unique style. We tested this feature by creating vector line illustrations with varying line weights and styles. We found that the vector lines offered a smooth and natural look, reminiscent of traditional hand-drawn artwork.
Special Rulers: Artists can utilize special rulers to create precise and intricate designs, ensuring their illustrations meet design specifications. During our testing, we used special rulers to create geometric shapes, perspective lines, and complex patterns with precision and accuracy. We found that the special rulers were easy to use and highly effective in achieving our desired design outcomes.
Brushes for Every Taste: With a wide selection of brushes in the brush engine, artists have the flexibility to choose the right brush when doing line art, shading, or texturing. We experimented with different brushes from the brush engine to create various effects and textures in our illustrations. We found that the extensive brush library offered a brush for every artistic need, allowing us to express our creativity freely.
Comics, Manga & Webtoons
Realistic Pens & Brushes: Clip Studio Paint provides realistic pens and brushes, making it a preferred choice for comic book, manga, and webtoon artists to achieve the desired inked and drawn look. During our testing, we used the realistic pens and brushes to create comic panels with crisp lines and expressive strokes. We found that these pens and brushes accurately emulated traditional ink and brushwork, giving our comic artwork an authentic and professional look.
Balloons with Personality: Artists can easily create expressive speech balloons that add personality and emotion to their comic panels. We tested this feature by adding speech balloons to our comic panels and customizing them with different shapes, sizes, and styles. We found that the speech balloon tools were intuitive and user-friendly, allowing us to quickly create dynamic dialogue in our comic artwork.
Effect & Saturated Lines in an Instant: The software offers tools for adding dynamic effects and saturated lines, enhancing the visual impact of comic and manga artwork. We experimented with these effect and line tools to add motion blur, speed lines, and dynamic lighting effects to our comic panels. We found that these tools were highly customizable and versatile, allowing us to add depth and excitement to our comic artwork with ease.
Animation
Vector Lines with a Hand-Drawn Feel: Clip Studio Paint extends its vector line capabilities to animation, allowing artists to maintain a consistent style across their animations. During our testing, we used vector lines to create animated characters and scenes with smooth and fluid motion. We found that the vector line animation tools offered a high level of precision and control, resulting in professional-looking animations with a hand-drawn aesthetic.
Onion Skin Function: Animators can take advantage of the onion skin function, which assists in creating smooth and fluid animations by providing visual references of previous and upcoming frames. We tested the onion skin function while creating animations with complex movements and found that it helped us maintain consistency and continuity between frames. We found that the onion skin function was easy to use and highly effective in improving our animation workflow.
Customizable Camerawork: Clip Studio Paint offers customizable camerawork options, giving animators greater control over their animation projects. During our testing, we experimented with different camera angles, perspectives, and movements to create dynamic and engaging animations. We found that the customizable camerawork options allowed us to add depth and drama to our animations, resulting in more immersive and visually appealing results.
Additionally, with the continuous updates and improvements, such as the realistic brush blending and shading assist introduced in version 2.0, Clip Studio Paint remains at the forefront of digital art software, catering to the evolving needs of artists.
Clip Studio Paint Ex
Current owners of Clip Studio Paint PRO for Windows/macOS, both Version 1 and Version 2.0, have the opportunity to upgrade to Clip Studio Paint EX Version 2.0 as a one-time purchase at a discounted rate. Here are the advanced features of Clip Studio Paint's top-tier EX edition:
- 3D Models: Full-size, posable 3D figures for complex poses and drawing reference.
- Animation: Capability to animate images and models.
- Asset Library: Access to a library of over 10,000 free components and more for a fee.
- Compatibility: Images can be saved, imported, and exported in common image file formats.
- Export Options: Save files in several formats, such as BMP, JPEG, PNG, TGA, TIFF, and PICT formats, and export for specific Kindle formats.
- Word Balloons: Easy creation of word balloons for comics.
- Page Management: Tools for organizing and managing comic pages.
- Text Editing: Functions for editing text within comic projects.
- Pro vs. EX: The key difference between the more expensive EX version and the less expensive Pro version.
This version of the tool is recommended for serious comic creators due to its extensive features and capabilities.
Pricing
Clip Studio Paint offers flexible pricing options to suit different user needs. Users can opt for monthly usage plans, starting from as low as $0.99 per month, making it an accessible choice for those looking to experiment with this fun comic book software.
There's also a one-time purchase option starting from $49.99, which is available for Windows and macOS.
This pricing model ensures that artists have access to CSP on their preferred platform without committing to a monthly subscription.
Pros and Cons of Clip Studio Paint
Here are the main benefits and limitations artists should consider when using Clip Studio Paint:
Pros
1. Specialized for Anime and Manga Artists: Clip Studio Paint is tailored specifically for anime and manga creators, offering tools and features designed to meet their unique needs. This specialization ensures that artists have access to the resources necessary to bring their artistic visions to life within this genre.
2. Versatile Functionality: The software allows for the creation of both static illustrations and dynamic animations, providing artists with a versatile platform to explore various artistic expressions. This flexibility enables artists to experiment with different styles and mediums, fostering creativity and innovation.
3. Excellent Brush Sensitivity: Clip Studio Paint boasts exceptional brush sensitivity, facilitating precise and customizable strokes. This high level of sensitivity empowers artists to achieve intricate details and subtle nuances in their artwork, enhancing the overall quality and realism of their creations.
4. Vast Asset Library and Customization Options: With a vast asset library, custom brushes, and pre-made panel layouts, Clip Studio Paint offers artists unparalleled creative freedom. The abundance of resources enables artists to easily access a wide range of tools and assets, streamlining the creative process and inspiring experimentation.
5. Affordable Pricing Options: The software provides affordable pricing options to cater to different user preferences and budgetary constraints. This accessibility ensures that artists of all skill levels and financial backgrounds can access professional-grade software without breaking the bank.
6. Organizational Tools for Streamlined Workflow: Clip Studio Paint includes organizational tools specifically designed for comic book page layout, streamlining the workflow for comic artists. These tools help artists efficiently arrange and manage their comic panels, ensuring a smooth and cohesive storytelling experience.
Cons
1. Lacks Built-in Spell Checker: One limitation of Clip Studio Paint is the absence of a built-in spell checker for text elements. This omission may pose challenges for artists who rely on text elements within their artwork, as they must manually proofread and edit text for spelling errors.
2. Steep Learning Curve: The software offers a wide array of tools and functionalities, which can be overwhelming for beginners. The abundance of options may leave new users feeling lost initially, requiring a significant learning curve to master the software fully.
3. Confusing Interface: While feature-rich, the interface of Clip Studio Paint can be somewhat unwieldy. The large interface and potentially confusing keybinds may pose challenges for users trying to navigate the software efficiently, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
4. Missing Filter Tools: Despite its impressive feature set, Clip Studio Paint lacks some of the filter tools found in other paid graphic design software. For example, the absence of a liquify tool may disappoint users who rely on such features for image manipulation and editing. This limitation may necessitate alternative workflows or the use of additional software to achieve desired effects.
User Reviews of Clip Studio Paint
"I've been using Clip Studio Paint for about 10 years now and the software just keeps getting better. It's perfect for drawing webtoons because there are great organizational tools. Also, it's super easy to export the entire webtoon at a suitable size. One of the reasons I had to try Clip Studio Paint originally was the perspective rulers. And now, there is even a fisheye ruler! The 3D materials are also very helpful for reference. Last but not least, I have to say that I really love the brushes. They are just great to work with and easy to draw illustrations and comics with, be it in color or black and white." Miyuli
"All of the features and the entire user interface are well thought out, can be customized to any artist's individual needs, and allow for an easy and intuitive entry into the program. My favorite feature is the 3D character models, which are easy to position, light, and adjust in proportion." Djamila Knopf
"Clip Studio Paint is a powerful software for painters and illustrators. Their extensive library has every brush and assets you’ll ever need. All in all, Clip Studio Paint is incredibly versatile and user friendly, I would encourage all artists to try it out for themselves." Janice Sung
How We Tested Clip Studio Paint
In our evaluation of Clip Studio Paint, we employed a rigorous set of criteria to assess the software's performance and utility for artists.
Here are the four key criteria we used, along with our opinions on each:
- Ease of Use and User Interface: We began by evaluating the software's user-friendliness. We examined how intuitive the interface was for both beginners and experienced artists. Overall, we found that while the interface is feature-rich, it may require some time for new users to become fully comfortable navigating it.
- Drawing and Brush Sensitivity: One of the key criteria we assessed was the software's performance in terms of drawing and brush sensitivity. We used various drawing tablets to test how well Clip Studio Paint responded to different levels of pressure and stroke customization. We were impressed with its ability to produce smooth and precise strokes, providing artists with a wide range of line thickness and style options.
- Customization and Asset Library: We explored the customization options available within Clip Studio Paint, focusing on the ability to import or create custom brushes and backgrounds. We also examined its asset library, which includes standard models, scenes, and pre-made templates. We found that these features provided artists with a wealth of creative resources and flexibility in their work.
- Performance and Stability: We tested the software's overall performance and stability on both Windows and macOS platforms. We paid attention to factors like speed, responsiveness, and the absence of crashes or glitches during extended use. In our testing, Clip Studio Paint performed well, providing a reliable environment for digital art creation.
Overall, our testing of Clip Studio Paint revealed that it excels in catering to the needs of anime and manga artists, offering an extensive set of features and a versatile array of creative tools.
While it may have a learning curve for beginners and some interface complexities, its overall performance and affordability make it a valuable addition to any artist's toolkit.
Our Review Rating System
We employ a 5-star rating system for all the AI tools we review to give you a comprehensive idea of the overall utility of each tool.
- Five stars: Editor’s choice
- Four stars: An excellent choice
- Three stars: Meets some of our standards
- Two stars: Doesn’t meet our standards
- One star: Not recommended
Our team of experts has awarded this AI tool an overall rating of four stars because Clip Studio Paint is packed with an array of amazing features for creating manga and anime art, making it a great solution for comic creators.
Alternatives to Clip Studio Paint
While exploring alternatives to Clip Studio Paint, we also tested and reviewed several other tools that offer unique features for visual artists and creators:
Procreate
Procreate is a highly acclaimed creative application that empowers artists to craft exquisite sketches, captivating paintings, and breathtaking illustrations from anywhere they choose to work.
Its intuitive and feature-rich interface, along with a wide range of brushes and tools, makes it a popular choice for digital artists seeking versatility and mobility.
PaintTool SAI
PaintTool SAI is recognized for its high-quality, lightweight painting software. It offers comprehensive digitizer support and enables the creation of stunning anti-aliased paintings.
With its user-friendly and stable operation, PaintTool SAI enhances the joy and comfort of creating digital art. It's an excellent choice for those who value a smooth and enjoyable painting experience.
Adobe Fresco
Designed for the latest stylus and touch devices, Adobe Fresco brings together an extensive collection of vector and raster brushes. It introduces revolutionary Live Brushes to provide a genuinely natural painting and drawing experience.
This application caters to artists, illustrators, animators, sketchers, and anyone eager to explore or rekindle their passion for drawing and painting with innovative tools and an immersive environment.