Report updated Apr 7, 2026
Tayasui Sketches
v36.7Artists, illustrators, and students looking for a realistic, intuitive, and distraction-free digital sketching experience on mobile devices.
What Is Tayasui Sketches?
Launched Jun 1, 2013
Updated Mar 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Advanced brush physics that adapt to pressure, angle, and width to mimic real-world media.
A minimalist interface that hides tools while drawing to provide a clean, distraction-free canvas.
Support for layers including PSD import/export and PNG transparency.
Automatic backup and synchronization of drawings across multiple devices.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a frustrated sentiment. Users appreciate ease of use and app aesthetics, but report data loss and stability and aggressive monetization.”
What Users Love
if you want an app for drawing this app is for begginers
great tools and canvas texture
Pain Points
whenever this thing pops up my drawing disappears
randomly deletes pictures on a regular basis
90% percent of the tools and brushes is locked behind a paywall now
I bought the full version and now they're putting what I paid for behind a subscription.
High confidence · 127.2K reviews available
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Realistic brush physics engine
- Distraction-free Zen UI
- Cross-platform support (iOS/Android/Chromebook)
Cons
- Critical data loss bugs
- Aggressive subscription transition
- Lower performance/rating on Android
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Simplify professional workflows for hobbyists
- Expansion into 3D or animation sketching
- Grandfathering legacy users to restore trust
Market Threats
- Procreate's market dominance
- Social-driven competitors like ibis Paint X
- Emerging 3D sketching platforms
Who competes with Tayasui Sketches?
The Nemesis
Procreate
Savage Interactive Pty Ltd
The industry standard for mobile digital painting, offering a high-performance brush engine and professional features that directly compete for serious artists.
The industry standard for mobile digital painting, offering a high-performance brush engine and professional features that directly compete for serious artists.
Contenders
Competes on the 'journal-style' sketching experience with a heavy emphasis on simplicity and tactile, realistic tools.
Gesture-based Interface
ibis Paint X
ibis inc.
A massive social-driven competitor that offers a vast array of brushes and tools for the same hobbyist and student demographic.
A massive social-driven competitor that offers a vast array of brushes and tools for the same hobbyist and student demographic.
Concepts
★4.7 (26K)TopHatch, Inc.
Offers a minimalist, infinite canvas experience that appeals to the same 'Zen' and design-focused user base.
Offers a minimalist, infinite canvas experience that appeals to the same 'Zen' and design-focused user base.
Zen Brush 3
PSOFT
Niche competitor that doubles down on the 'Zen' aesthetic and realistic ink brush simulation.
Niche competitor that doubles down on the 'Zen' aesthetic and realistic ink brush simulation.
Peers
Linearity Curve Graphic Design
★4.5 (14K)Linearity GmbH
While vector-based, it occupies the same creative design space for illustrators on iPad and Mac.
While vector-based, it occupies the same creative design space for illustrators on iPad and Mac.
Coloring Book for Adults: Lake
★4.6 (79K)Lake Coloring
Attracts the same casual creative audience with high-quality artistic brushes and a focus on relaxation.
Attracts the same casual creative audience with high-quality artistic brushes and a focus on relaxation.
New Kids on the Block
Callipeg mini: Animation App
Enoben
A professional 2D animation app that uses a high-quality drawing engine, attracting artists who want to animate their sketches.
A professional 2D animation app that uses a high-quality drawing engine, attracting artists who want to animate their sketches.
What are the key takeaways?
Tayasui Sketches is a frustrating graphics & design app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.2/5 rating from 127.2K reviews, it frustrates many users from users. Users particularly appreciate ease of use, though data loss and stability remains a common concern.
Best for: Artists, illustrators, and students looking for a realistic, intuitive, and distraction-free digital sketching experience on mobile devices.
How much does it cost?
Model: freemium
The app is transitioning from a legacy paid model to a subscription-based 'Pro Bundle', which has caused significant friction and negative sentiment among long-term users.
iOS Version
36.7
Android Version
1.5.41
Release Date
Jun 1, 2013
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
SKETCHES SRL