If you want to unleash your creative side and draw on a Mac, the best method depends on what you need – quick sketches, whiteboarding, or professional illustration.
For simple drawing, macOS already includes built-in tools like Preview and Photos. For more advanced work, apps like Sketchbook, Krita and Inkscape offer powerful drawing features for free, while professionals typically use software such as Adobe Illustrator.
And if you want the most natural drawing experience, using a drawing tablet or an iPad with Apple Pencil is by far the best option.
Here are all the best ways to draw on a Mac in 2026.
Contents
Does Microsoft Paint Exist For Mac?
When Macs were first released in 1984, they included MacPaint which was the closest thing we’ve seen to an equivalent of Microsoft Paint on a Mac.
However, Apple quietly dropped MacPaint from later versions of OS X and macOS, leaving Mac users with no default drawing tool on a Mac.
All is not lost though – just try one of these methods instead.
| Method | Best For | Ease of Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preview / Photos (Markup) | Quick sketches & annotations | Very Easy | Free |
| Freeform | Whiteboarding & brainstorming | Easy | Free |
| Free Drawing Apps | Digital drawing & illustration | Medium | Free |
| Graphic Design Software | Professional design work | Advanced | Free to $$$ |
| Drawing Tablets | Natural drawing experience | Medium | $$–$$$ |
| iPad with Sidecar | iPad owners that want to draw on Mac | Medium | Free if you own an iPad |
| Trackpad | Those that don’t have a tablet or iPad | Easy | Works with many free graphic design apps |
| Web based Apps | Those that don’t want to install anything | Easy | Free but subscriptions required for advanced features |
1. macOS Preview & Photos
The easiest way to draw on a Mac is using the built-in Markup tools in Preview or Photos.
To access the drawing tools in macOS Preview, make sure that in View > Show Markup Toolbar is selected and then click on the scribble symbols to use the Markup tool.
There are also tools for adding shapes, text annotations and even signatures.
This is the quickest way to sketch or annotate on a Mac without installing anything.
Using Photos on Mac for Quick Drawings & Annotations
The Photos app in macOS also includes built-in drawing tools that are perfect for annotating images or making quick edits.
To draw in Photos:
- Open an image in the Photos app
- Click Edit in the top right
- Select the three dots and then select Markup (pen tip icon)
- Use the pen, shapes, or text tools to draw on the image
This allows you to:
- Sketch freehand directly onto photos
- Highlight areas with shapes
- Add notes or text annotations
While it’s not designed for detailed artwork, Photos is one of the quickest ways to draw on an image without installing any extra software.
Extra Tip: Pages, Keynote & Numbers
Apple’s iWork apps Pages, Keynote and Numbers also include basic drawing tools, although they’re not very flexible.
To use these in Pages for example, click on the “Shape” box at the top and select “Draw with the pen tool” to start drawing.
This allows you to create straight lines and curves although doesn’t offer a proper freehand drawing or experience like Preview and Photos.
2. Freeform (Best for Whiteboarding)
Freeform is Apple’s built-in whiteboard app designed for brainstorming and collaboration.
To use it to draw, simply search for “Freeform” on your Mac, click on the Shapes symbol at the top and select the pencil tool in the top right corner.
Freeform allows you to:
- Draw freely on an infinite canvas
- Add shapes, notes, and images
- Collaborate with others in real time
It’s not designed for detailed artwork, but it’s ideal for quick sketches, planning idea and mind mapping.
3. Free Drawing Apps
There are several free graphic design apps which are perfect for drawing or more advanced design. The best ones we recommend to use on a Mac are:
Krita is a powerful open-source drawing tool designed for digital painting. It supports:
- Advanced brush customization
- Layer support
- Animation tools
Inkscape is a powerful open-source vector graphics editor designed for creating scalable illustrations and designs. It supports:
- SVG support for scalable graphics
- Precision vector drawing tools
- Node and path editing
Paintbrush is a lightweight, classic-style app similar to Microsoft Paint.
- Extremely simple to use
- No learning curve
Sketchbook is a popular drawing app designed to provide a natural, paper-like sketching experience.
- Clean, distraction-free interface
- Wide range of brushes and tools
- Excellent stylus and tablet support
- Free to use with optional premium features
Blender (Grease Pencil) – Blender isn’t just for 3D design – it also includes a powerful 2D drawing tool. It allows you to:
- Draw in 3D space
- Create animations
- Combine 2D and 3D work
There are also some more limited free alternatives to Microsoft Paint for Mac you can try, although many of them are very limited compared to the above apps.
4. Graphic Design Software
If you want to draw professionally on a Mac, then you’ll need proper graphic design software.
This includes free apps such as Inkscape and Krita mentioned above but also one time purchase graphic design software such as Affinity Designer.
Some of the best options on Mac include:
- Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDRAW
- Several Photoshop alternatives for Mac
These apps offer precision tools, advanced layering and industry standard export options.
5. Drawing Tablets
Drawing tablets allow you to draw freehand on a tablet for a more natural drawing experience with a stylus or pen.
Some drawing tablets have their own screen whereas others need to be connected to your Mac so you can draw in graphic design software.
The Wacom range of drawing tablets are widely regarded as the best on the market and drawing pads like the Wacom Intuos Pro are used by professional artists and illustrators.
For more, check out our guide to the best drawing tablets for Mac.
6. Use an iPad as a Drawing Tablet (Apple Pencil)
You can’t draw directly on a Mac screen, but you can use an iPad as a drawing tablet.
Using Sidecar, you can:
- Turn your iPad into a second display
- Draw using Apple Pencil
- Use Mac apps with pressure sensitivity
This gives you one of the best drawing experiences available on a Mac.
If you just want to use the iPad without your Mac, you can also use amazing drawing apps like Procreate which isn’t available for macOS (although there are ways to use Procreate on a Mac and some excellent alternatives to it are available).
7. Trackpad
If you don’t have extra hardware, you can still draw using your Mac’s trackpad.
This works with:
- Preview
- Freeform
- The Magic trackpad drawing app
- Web apps
Force Touch trackpads can even detect pressure (to a limited extent).
8. Use Web-Based Drawing Tools (No Install Required)
There are also some browser-based tools that are increasingly popular and work on any Mac in a browser.
The best ones we’d recommend using on a Mac are:
Sketch.io
- Free and easy to use
- Runs in your browser
- Good for quick sketches
Canva
- Includes drawing and whiteboard tools
- Great for presentations and social content
FAQs
Can you draw directly on a Mac screen?
No, Macs don’t have touchscreens. You need a trackpad, mouse, drawing tablet, or iPad.
What is the Mac equivalent of Microsoft Paint?
There’s no exact equivalent, but Preview and Paintbrush are the closest simple options.
What is the best free drawing app for Mac?
Krita, Inkscape and Sketchbook are among the best free options for drawing and illustration.
Can I use Apple Pencil with a Mac?
Not directly, but you can use it with an iPad via Sidecar.
What’s the easiest way to draw on a Mac?
Use Preview or Freeform – both are built into macOS and require no setup.
Can you draw on a Mac without a Mouse?
Yes, you don’t need extra hardware to draw on a Mac. Your best options are:
- Use the trackpad on MacBooks in Preview, Freeform, Magic or Sketch.io
- Use Force Touch trackpads for pressure variation (limited)
- Sync with iPhone/iPad for touch input