Comparison

Artists & Illustrators vs Artist's Back to Basics

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Artists & Illustrators

This app offers practical advice, inspiration, and expert technical guidance for painting and art creation. Explore various mediums and styles with content updated regularly. Purchase individual issues or subscribe for continuous access to art content.

Highlights
  • Practical painting advice
  • Artistic inspiration
  • Expert technical guidance
  • Art materials tests
  • Coverage of various art mediums
  • Purchase back and future issues
  • Subscription options
Features
Read full description

Artists & Illustrators is the UK’s best-selling Art magazine. Written for artists and art lovers, providing practical advice for how to paint and offering inspiration every issue. Published for almost 25 years, each issue of Artists & Illustrators magazine contains a colourful palette of practical ideas, expert technical advice and useful art materials tests. Whether you favour oils, acrylics or watercolours, portraits or landscapes, abstract art or botanical illustration, Artists & Illustrators magazine brings a refreshing blend of creativity and advice every four weeks throughout the year. “With inspiring ideas, varied content and a clear, stylish design, Artists & Illustrators is the biggest and best art magazine on the market"" Steve Pill – Editor. *Back issues and future issues are available for purchase within the App. Future issues are also available through the following auto-renewing subscription(s): -13 Issues (1 Year) at £39.99 / $49.99 -6 Issues (6 months) at £21.99 / $28.99 -1 Issue (1 month) at £2.99 / $3.99 The subscription will include the current issue if you do not already own it and subsequently published future issues. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. This subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period, your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. The cost of the renewal will match the initial subscription price. You may turn off auto-renewing subscriptions by going to your user’s Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during your active subscription period. Please find our Privacy Policy here: http://chelseamagazines.com/privacy/ Please find our Terms & Conditions here: https://www.chelseamagazines.com/the-chelsea-magazine-company-terms-and-conditions/

About

Artist's Back to Basics

Features
Read full description

Artists Back to Basics is an entry level magazine for all artists. From setting up a studio to what easel to choose it’s a must for all artists. Featuring the latest in news, reviews and products from the art world as well as exhibition previews and reviews. Pricing for subscriptions available: • Single issue: 7.99 AUD • 1 year subscription: 22.99 AUD, automatically renewed until cancelled When purchasing through iTunes your account will be charged at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will auto-renew unless you turn this off 24 hours before the subscription runs out. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings. You can manage your subscription through your account settings after purchase on your device. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period Terms of Service : https://www.sunraydirect.com/KnoxvilleL4/?page_id=455 Privacy Policy : https://sunraydirect.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Artists & Illustrators4 screens
Artist's Back to Basics3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Artists & Illustrators at every 3 months against Artist's Back to Basics's every 7 months. Artist's Back to Basics's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Artists & Illustrators sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Artist's Back to Basics sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Artists & Illustrators ships an update every 3 months, Artist's Back to Basics every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Artists & Illustrators versus Artist's Back to Basics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArtists & IllustratorsArtist's Back to Basics
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (47 ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.7% of reviews
Number of ratings47 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChelsea Magazine CompanyZinio Pro

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Artists & Illustrators

Subscriptions8
  • Artists & Illustrators$3.991 Month
  • Artists & Illustrators Subscription$3.991 Month
  • Artists & Illustrators magazine: auto renewing subscription$19.996 Months
Show 5 more
  • Artists & Illustrators$22.996 Months
  • Artists & Illustrators Subscription$28.996 Months
  • Artists & Illustrators magazine: auto renewing subscription$39.991 Year
  • Artists & Illustrators$42.991 Year
  • Artists & Illustrators Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Artists & Illustrators magazine: September 2011$5.99
  • Artists & Illustrators magazine: July 2012, by PixelMags$5.99
17 purchases

Artist's Back to Basics

Subscriptions3
  • Artist's Back to Basics1 Month trial$5.993 Months
  • Artist's Back to Basics1 Month trial$8.996 Months
  • 1 Year$14.991 Year
One-time14
  • Volume 12 Issue 2$4.99
  • Volume 12 Issue 3$4.99
  • Volume 12 Issue 4$4.99
Show 11 more
  • Volume 13 Issue 1$4.99
  • Volume 13 Issue 2$4.99
  • Volume 13 Isse 4$4.99
  • Volume 13 Issue 3$4.99
  • Volume 16 Issue 1$4.99
  • Volume 15 Issue 4$4.99
  • Volume 14 Issue 3$4.99
  • Volume 14 Issue 2$4.99
  • Volume 16 Issue 4$4.99
  • Volume 15 Issue 1$4.99
  • Volume 14 Issue 1$4.99

Questions

Is Artists & Illustrators free?
Artists & Illustrators is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Artist's Back to Basics free?
Artist's Back to Basics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Artists & Illustrators or Artist's Back to Basics have ads?
Neither Artists & Illustrators nor Artist's Back to Basics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Artists & Illustrators or Artist's Back to Basics?
Artists & Illustrators ships an update every 3 months, and Artist's Back to Basics every 7 months. Most recently, Artists & Illustrators was updated on September 14, 2026 and Artist's Back to Basics on September 9, 2026.

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