An animated review of Linea, my new favorite sketching app

By Serenity Caldwell
last updated

I've been beta-testing the Iconfactory's Linea [yes, Lin-ee-ah] sketchbook app since its early days, and I'm thrilled to see it at last come to market. But I didn't think I could accurately portray how much I like Linea in text...

So I made an animated video, instead. Using Linea itself.

I hope it convinces you to give the app a whirl! Linea has supplanted Paper in my iPad's dock as my go-to sketching program — and for those who know me, that's a shocker: I haven't really sketched in anything consistently other than Paper since its 2013 release.

For those curious, I used the following to make this video:

  • 9.7-inch iPad Pro
  • Apple Pencil
  • The Linea app
  • USB-C cable to Lightning Cable
  • 13-inch MacBook Pro
  • QuickTime Player's Screen Recording Feature
  • Final Cut Pro X

I recorded everything live as I was sketching via QuickTime, then dropped the final file into Final Cut, sped up some sections, and scored it to Silent Partner's Down For Whatever (a YouTube Audio Library classic).

Linea - Download now (opens in new tab)

Serenity Caldwell
Serenity Caldwell

Serenity was formerly the Managing Editor at iMore, and now works for Apple. She's been talking, writing about, and tinkering with Apple products since she was old enough to double-click. In her spare time, she sketches, sings, and in her secret superhero life, plays roller derby. Follow her on Twitter @settern.

16 Comments
  • I think the ProCreate app is the best one by far. Sent from the iMore App
  • +1 And it's also cheaper. It needs iCloud support, though.
  • Love Procreate, but Linea's direct sketching tools are much easier to use (and have a better default pencil IMO).
  • It's good, but I still like Sketch Club better.
  • Most creative review of 2017. ;)
  • Pretty amazing work, I can't imagine what it took to put that together. Good ****. Sent from the iMore App
  • Great write up but just wish Apple Pencil worked with older iPads.
  • Missing one thing and that is if you slant your pencil while having selected the pencils it doesn't do the thing that paper does with the broad strokes. That's a pity really.
  • That's under my nitpicks (no tilt and shade). Totally agreed, and they say it's on their upcoming feature list. Fingers crossed!
  • It is possible to duplicate sketches actually. Open a collection, click [select[, click [...] and then click [duplicate]. I like the option to have all tools use different colors (or the same). This is a nice sketching app with some elegant functions in the UI. I miss importing images as backgrounds and the features of Apple Pencil (broader strokes), though. A fill function or airbrush would be nice (in place of the technical pencil). Also defining the size of the canvas and naming/tagging/moving sketches. Hopefully this will be added in the future.
  • Yes! I discovered this after publishing, unfortunately. Hoping they make the feature slightly easier to discover.
  • Nice job, Serenity!
  • Great video - thanks! Top 3 reasons it replaced Paper in your dock? The video mentions a more responsive experience with Apple Pencil, but I'd be curious to hear more. Have been a faithful Paper user but interested in Linea.
  • Much faster The eraser is pressure-sensitive, so erased lines can be gentle on pencil drawings (HUGE) Better export options (can send a png or layered PSD to Procreate or Photoshop to work further). You can work at the very edges of the canvas without resetting the brush stroke
  • Oh Man You did it again Ren - such a creative way to review an App. Can't wait to get my hands on an iPad Pro. You inspire me to create! Sent from the iMore App
  • Procreate has added a ton of new features since you reviewed it. It's worth a second look if you haven't used it in a while.