# Simple Sketchbook — A sketchbook in digital space > Distraction-free digital sketchbook for iPad and iPhone with layers and export options. (iPhone/iPad app by Duncan Pollock.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-sketchbook/id6761445903 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Duncan Pollock](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886679285) - Category: Graphics & Design, Productivity - Price: Free - Rating: 4.30/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 26.0 · 53 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-04-22 - Data updated: 2026-09-03 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-sketchbook/id6761445903/reviews.md ## What is Simple Sketchbook? App Description Simple Sketchbook is a distraction-free sketchbook for iPad, designed around the Apple Pencil but will also work with your finger. No subscription. No social features. Just a clean, fast place to draw. Create as many sketchbooks as you like, each with its own paper style — blank, lined, grid, dotted, or a range of specialty templates. Every sketchbook fills your screen edge to edge, and the canvas stays fixed in space when you rotate your iPad, so your drawing never moves out from under your hand. There is no zoom by design on iPad (iPhone users can double-tap to zoom), just a regular sketchbook page in digital space. Layers, done simply Each page supports multiple layers with individual opacity, blend mode, and visibility controls. Bring in photos from your library or drag and drop images directly onto the canvas to use as reference or compose with your work. Reposition, scale, and rotate images freely before committing them to the page. Export your work Export any page as a high-resolution PNG — with or without the background — or export an entire sketchbook as a PDF. Generate a timelapse video of your drawing process, perfect for sharing how a piece came together. Your sketchbooks, backed up Back up any sketchbook to a single file and restore it on any of your iPads. Backups scale automatically to fit the screen, so moving from an iPad mini to an iPad Pro keeps everything looking right. Lock individual sketchbooks with Face ID or Touch ID. Simple Sketchbook is a distraction-free drawing notebook for iPad and iPhone, built for the feel of putting pencil to paper, with just enough digital magic to make every page more useful than a physical one. Draw naturally A slim, always-out-of-the-way tool strip puts your pen, sizes, opacity and colours one tap away, no picker popovers, no hunting through menus. Double-tap or squeeze your Apple Pencil to switch tools instantly, or rest two fingers on the page to pull up the full tool grid without ever putting your pencil down. Layer it up Sketch, ink, and shade on separate layers. Drop in a photo and arrange it (move, scale, rotate) right on the canvas. Add a storyboard frame template for comic panels and animatics. Blend, reorder, and merge layers exactly like a design tool, but built for a sketchbook workflow. Paper that feels right Choose plain, lined, grid, dotted, or textured paper for every notebook, whatever the page is for, to structured notes. Watch your drawing come to life Every stroke is quietly recorded as you draw. Export a timelapse video of any page, or a whole run of pages, and watch a sketch build itself from first line to finished piece. Say what you're thinking Record a voice reflection on any page, your process, your intent, what you'd change next time, and Simple Sketchbook transcribes it on-device, completely privately. Reflections play back alongside your timelapse, or export as Markdown for a portfolio or journal. Yours, and only yours Lock any notebook with Face ID or Touch ID. Back up and restore your entire sketchbook library whenever you like. Nothing leaves your device unless you choose to share it. Whether you're a student building a visual journal, an artist studying your own process, or just someone who likes to draw — Simple Sketchbook gets out of your way and lets the page do the work. ## Key features - Distraction-free drawing interface - Multiple sketchbooks with custom paper styles - Multi-layer support with opacity and blend modes - Import reference images - Export pages as PNG or PDF - Generate timelapse videos of drawings - Face ID/Touch ID sketchbook lock ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-sketchbook/id6761445903/reviews.md ### 5/5 — A lovely, simple sketching tool! *2026-08-07* A good collection of useful, basic features without the usual complex array of confusing bells and whistles. ## Frequently asked questions about Simple Sketchbook ### What devices does Simple Sketchbook support? Simple Sketchbook is available for both iPhone and iPad, offering a seamless drawing experience across Apple devices. The canvas and backups automatically scale to fit different screen sizes. ### Does Simple Sketchbook have ads? No, Simple Sketchbook is completely ad-free, providing a distraction-free environment for your creative process. This allows for uninterrupted drawing and design work. ### How much does Simple Sketchbook cost? Simple Sketchbook is completely free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees required to access its features. ### Can I export my drawings from Simple Sketchbook? Yes, you can export any page as a high-resolution PNG, with or without the background. You can also export an entire sketchbook as a PDF. ### What is the age rating for Simple Sketchbook? Simple Sketchbook has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for users of all ages. Its intuitive interface is easy to learn for beginners. ### How often is Simple Sketchbook updated? The latest version, 1.7, was released on August 10, 2026, indicating active development. Users can expect ongoing improvements and new features. ### Can I use Simple Sketchbook offline? Yes, Simple Sketchbook is designed for offline use. Its focus on being a distraction-free sketchbook means you can draw anywhere without needing an internet connection. ### How does Simple Sketchbook handle backups? You can back up any sketchbook to a single file and restore it on any of your iPads. These backups automatically scale to fit the screen, ensuring your work looks correct on different devices. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.9 — 2026-09-01 This update includes a major overhaul to the way image arrangement is done in the app. - Adding an image can be done from the main top toolbar or via drag and drop from another app. - Resizing and rotating images now is easier with visual controls. - While an image is selected you can also use the handy arrangement pill at the bottom of the screen to bump the image up or down the layer stack without having to open the layer panel. - To arrange an image simple long tap the image and to stop arranging an image simply tap a blank part of the canvas. - The top toolbar can now auto-hide (set this in settings) and reappear with a single tap. A fun little feature that can be turned on in settings is the ability to add a piece of sticky tape to an image that has been imported. The tape will automatically be applied at a random location around the edge of the image. ### 1.8 — 2026-08-25 A new Custom tool palette has been developed to provide more convenience in accessing tools and making sure that tools stay out of your way when you don't need them. If you have a Pencil Pro you can use a squeeze gesture to invoke a tool grid with size and opacity sliders, allowing you to hide the main toolbar and get on with creating sketches, art or beautiful notes. If you don't have an Apple Pencil Pro you can long tap the sketchbook page with 2 fingers to bring up the tool grid (quick tap with two fingers still performs an undo). Long tap the toolbar handle to switch the toolbar between horizontal or vertical. You can drag the toolbar wherever you want or leave it in the default position. ### 1.7 — 2026-08-10 Version 1.7 Adds a new feature called "Reflection Mode" which you can enable in the app settings in the gallery page. Reflection mode allows you to add short audio recordings while you are sketching or taking notes. Simple tap the microphone in the toolbar then you feel you want to leave an audio reflection for yourself. Long-tapping the microphone button will allow you to open the list of reflections for this page. You can play them back or delete them on this screen. Exporting a timelapse will now give you the option to export your reflections merged into the final video at the time they were created in the sketch or note taking session. The following bugs and minor improvements were also made: - Fixed the paint fill tool spilling colour over the edge of the lasso boundary - You can now view "All Pages" by long tapping the page number pill in the top right corner of the screen - long tap the colour selector in the floating colour palette to pop the colour selector out as a floating colour selector panel. - You can now disable the page turn buttons that appear at the bottom of the page to avoid accidental page turns. - Timelapses from multiple pages can now be exported as one video. ### 1.6.2 — 2026-07-23 Added the ability to add a storyboard template layer to the layer stack. If added in portrait orientation you will get two columns of 3 rectangles, if added in landscape orientation you will get 4 evenly spaced rectangles. Set the default location of the floating colour palette to be just under the top toolbar. It can then be repositioned wherever you like. Timelapse exporter has improved to now capture erasures as well as strokes. ### 1.6 — 2026-07-19 This update brings some quality of life improvements without compromising on the "simple" philosophy. -Paint fill tool in the tool palette -custom colour palette and colour picker -stroke transform and rotation -if you add lots of images to pages in the sketchbook you now have an optimise sketchbook option from the bookshelf view. This is designed to reduce the amount of storage space a notebook takes up while not reducing image quality. -lots more bug fixes under the hood. ## More apps by Duncan Pollock - [Simple Motion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-motion/id6760897792) All apps by Duncan Pollock: https://appshunter.io/developer/1886679285 ## Related topics [sketchbook for kids](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sketchbook-for-kids) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*