If you have a Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, or Surface 3, then Drawboard PDF came installed on your device (otherwise it is $9.99 in the Windows Store). Going with a pro membership gets you additional art tools, templates, tools and cloud storage, but will set you back $30 per year. The app also works with the Surface Dial, giving you greater control over your artistic endeavors. Sketchbook is a professional-level drawing program that’s ideal for graphics pros or anyone who needs more power than a simple tool like Fresh Paint offers. When it comes to apps that are purpose-built for graphic artists and designers, you can count on Autodesk. The Windows Store app is free to try, or $3.99 for the full version.
The app is on the basic side without a ton of major bells and whistles, but the pen input is very responsive and the various paper options are nice for different needs. With Scrble, you have a free-form notepad for writing and illustrations, with options for a traditional lined-paper background, blackboard, whiteboard, math sheet, or music sheet. Fresh Paint will also pull from Bing’s considerable image bank or give you a blank slate if you want to indulge in some free-form art. The app will even hold your hand through the process, giving you a half-finished canvas and close-ups of the final version. Microsoft’s Fresh Paint is a rather easy-to-use application for someone who wants to explore the drawing capabilities in Windows 10. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a note-taker, artist, or just an occasional doodler. But where to start? Here are some of our favorite stylus-centric applications in the Windows Store. If you want to put that trusty Surface Pen to work, of course, you’ll need an arsenal of ink-enabled apps to unleash its potential.