What is it? A minimal, grainy digital drawing app
Who is it for? Pro artists and novice doodlers alike
How much does it cost? $10/£10
What makes it special? It’s stylish, tactile, and fun
Graintouch, the latest creation from the makers behind the delightfully quirky animation studio Looom – an app we loved back in 2020 – is here with a stylish painting app sure to spark your creativity.
Inspired by risograph printing, a technique known for its vivid colors and charming imperfections, Graintouch aims to deliver a similar analog charm digitally. The app stands out with its minimalist, opinionated interface that deliberately restricts your options to encourage creativity rather than overwhelm you with endless choice.
For something with simplicity at its core, there are plenty of lovely little touches here. The app provides a bold, organic vector brush that mimics the stacking and blending of real ink on paper. It intentionally limits users to a playful palette of 18 carefully selected colors, reminiscent of authentic riso inks. Interaction feels natural and intuitive, with thoughtful UI touches – like holding one finger on a layer to reveal adjustment sliders controllable by another finger. It’s satisfyingly tactile and quickly becomes second nature.
Finished pieces boast an appealing, tactile print simulation, showcasing offset imperfections and layered textures just like genuine risograph prints. Plus, like the much-loved Procreate app, Graintouch refreshingly opts for a straightforward, one-time $10 payment. Unlike Procreate, this is a universal app that works on both iPhone and iPad with a single purchase. It’s better on iPad, unsurprisingly, but still fun to use on the smaller screen of an iPhone.
The style might not be for everyone, but it’s rare to see something so polished and thoughtful land on the App Store – developers, take note!