This week I’m reviewing Zen Brush (version 2 and 3). Zen Brush is an app that approximates the look and feel of East Asian brush painting. The app allows the user to draw/paint with their finger or a stylus in both wet and dry applications. The app is pressure sensitive which allows for expressive brush strokes.
Intended Use: The app is intended for making art.
Target Audience: The app is listed as being appropriate for ages four and up. Version 2 can be used independently by children five and up. Version 3 can be used independently by children eight and up. Younger children may be able to engage with the app with support from a trusted adult. Based on the visual layout and content, the app is appealing for adults and simple enough to be used by people who are new to technology.
Usability: The interface is easy to navigate with a touch screen and does not rely heavily on text. The app allows users to draw/paint with a simple palette of colors on virtual papers of different colors and textures, or use a photograph from the camera roll as a guide. Version 3 also allows the user to apply a grid while painting and remove it when they are finished.
Cost: Zen Brush 2 is $2.99 and Zen Brush 3 is $4.99.
Technical Requirements: Available for iOS and Android.
Pro’s: Both versions of the app are pressure sensitive and can be used with a finger or stylus. This supports direct engagement with the drawing (almost like finger painting) or the precision and reflective distance of using a tool. The apps also allow the user to use both dry and wet brushes, select different colors/textures of paper, and export finished images to the device’s photo library. Version 3 offers the option to work in a variety of colors (versus black and red in version 2). Other features that are unique to version 3 include a water brush (to selectively wet the paper), layers for grids, guides, and tracing, and unique three dimensional substrates such a lantern, kokeshi, and fan. While the substrate is three dimensional, the drawing/painting on it will not warp to wrap around the object.
Both versions of the app are available in English and Japanese. The updated version is also available in Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
Con’s: Some users may find the limited color palette of version two to be too narrow for their expressive purposes. The drawing space is fairly small on the phone version and is better suited for use with a tablet (however, this is con is fairly universal across many drawing/painting apps for the phone).
Is it worth it? This app is worth your time and money if you want a simple app. The limited choices can foster creativity in that the user is challenged to use the available tools in novel ways (e.g. problem solving). Teachers may find this a useful tool to enhance their art history, geography, social studies, creative writing, or other interdisciplinary units. Art therapists may find that this tool is affirming of their clients’ cultural background.