Apple Pencil Review

Apple Pencil

$100 - $129 USD
4.65

Balance and feel

4.5/5

Quick Pairing and Charging

4.8/5

Line Accuracey

4.8/5

Tilt and pressure sensitivity

4.5/5

Lag Time

4.8/5

Pros

  • 2nd generation charges magnetically on the new iPad
  • Pixel-perfect accuracy
  • Works like a pencil or pen
  • Replaceable tips

Cons

  • Price
  • Needs charging after 30 minutes
  • 1st generation charges via lightning

READ THIS BEFORE YOU BUY

 There is a new e-pencil in town and it’s taking numbers, writing notes and drawing pictures.

Enter the Apple pencil:

The magic wand of digital art.

In this article we will review the apple pencil and how it helps budding digital artists achieve their life-long dreams of becoming the next artist of the year.

Or, how this little pencil can help beginning digital artists improve their drawing skills.

After reading you should be able to make an intelligent decision about the purchase of the apple pencil.

I’ll be honest I am a beginner digital artist which is to say I am brand spanking new to the world of art in general. As a beginner artist, I know how important it is to have equipment that’s easy to use.  Once you learn about the features of procreate you’ll see the ease in which you can create awesome drawings with the apple pencil.

 IF you are not familiar with the apple pencil, here’s the skinny on both generations. 

The apple pencil is a digital pencil that renders realistic lines for drawing and writing. The differences between the generations is the way they charge and pair.

It looks like a typical pen or pencil with a matte finish and a removable tapered point. It’s works just like a pencil and has a double tap feature to change drawing tools and digital brushes. You can sign your name, jot notes, underline text and draw pictures.

If you have Procreate,  it’s a must have for digital art.  And if you don’t have Procreate what are you waiting for?

The procreate app comes with over 200 brushes that can be customized to create even more brush sizes and types.

The apple pencil can create realistic landscapes, various textures,  life-like portraits and humorous cartoon characters.

Cartoonists and professional artists alike use the apple pencil with the Procreate for all of their drawings, paintings and e-books

Be sure to Check out Bel Ray’s Procreate video tutorials for more.

Let’s talk about the look and feel of the pencil.

 The pencil comes in basic white or ivory. The flat surface on the 2nd generation pencil allows charging and pairing on top of the newer iPad models.  Be sure to check below for compatibility with both generations with the various models of iPads.

 

The tip can be replaced

Instantly pairs and Charges on the Go!  

The 2nd generation pencil attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro or iPad Air and automatically charges and pairs.

Pin-point accuracy

You can sign your name, jot notes, draw pictures and underline text.There are decals/stickers available to make the pencil look like a real pencil

The downside is the price. But that is to be expected from apple products. For what the pencil can do, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll see right away, that the quality of the pencil is well worth the price.

The pencil is accurate and responsive. look at some of the line work down below.

Is it a real pencil or the apple pencil?

You be the judge.

One signature was done with an apple pencil and the other with an ordinary pencil.

See if you can guess which one is the apple pencil .

 

Even if you guessed right,  the apple pencil’s signature is pretty accurate.

 

$100 The 1st Generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the following iPads

  • iPad (6th, 7th, and 8th generation)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation)
  • iPad mini (5th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 inch (1st, and 2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 10.5 inch
  • iPad Pro 9.7 inch

Pairing and Charging via Lightning 

 

$129 The 2nd Generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the following iPads:

 

iPad Pro 12.9-inch

  • 4th generation
  • 3rd generation

iPad Pro 11-inch

  • 2nd generation
  • 1st generation

iPad Air

4th generation

 

Wirelessly Charges and Pairs on the go

 

My thoughts

I have nothing bad to say about the pencil except it’s price. But if you are a digital artist there is nothing better.

The pencil is responsive, fluid, and accurate.  It turns the iPad into a virtual notepad and canvas. Most digital artists agree that it is a necessary accessory for digital art.

With the Procreate drawing app the pencil converts to 200 digital brushes and painting tools. Various shapes, textures, shapes, and line sizes can be achieved with a high degree of realism.

The 2nd generation pencil’s flat indentation prevents the pencil from rolling around and provides a place to charge on top of the iPad. The 1st generation pencil attaches at the end to the iPad for charging which can easily break off.

The weight and balance Feels like a real pencil or pen

You can accessorize it with stickers to make it look like a pencil

Can I get by with a cheaper stylus?

If you are a digital artist or want to learn digital art, the apple pencil is a must have. There isn’t any product around that is as accurate and versatile.

Within the Procreate drawing app the brush size and opacity can be changed with a gentle pressure or a change of angle. Also, the app comes with adjustable slider bars to change the size and values of the lines.

Other pencils don’t have the accuracy or the responsiveness of the apple pencil. Plus, the apple pencil can only be used with the iPad pro. And fans of procreate know the app can only be used on an iPad.

Recharges in minutes!

The charge depletes after a half hour.  But will recharge within minutes once place on top of the iPad. Some people report slow charging times or doesn’t charge at all. I have not had this problem.

The pencil does not securely attach to the iPad and can easily fall off during transport.  I recommend a separate storage case for the pencil.

 

Personalize It!

Apple offers free engraving on the end of the pencil. You can add a business logo, a cute icon, phone number and name etc.

 

Bottom line: The high price will detour most people from buying it. But you won’t be disappointed with the results. Any new digital artist will appreciate the accuracy of their drawings.

 

What is your favorite drawing tool?

Did this article helped with the buying decision?

It is pricey no doubt, but I think once you try it you’ll understand why the price is worth it.

Let me know in the comments section below.

Back to product reviews

 

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