The iPad as a Digital Sketchbook: The Hunt for a Stylus

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American



On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Ever since I downloaded the Brushes app onto my iPhone, I've been coveting a larger screen to sketch on. Now, at long last, I have an iPad in hand and am exploring the world of styluses. Ian McQue, one of my favorite concept artists, put out this great timelapse video of him sketching on an iPad and since then, I have been intrigued by the notion of sketching with a stylus. So, the search begins for the appropriate stylus. MacWorld put out a good video review of a whole host of styluses which I thought I'd share:

The Nomad brush looks most intriguing to me, but I think I may try one of the rubber or foam-tipped styluses as well. After a little more research, I may post a review of my final choice with some sketches...

Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism

Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.

When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.

Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber

Thank you,

Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe