Comparison

Artist Tools vs Cranio Head Study

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

Head to head
About

Artist Tools

This app provides objective tools to analyze reference images for drawing. It helps artists improve tonal accuracy, check proportions, and understand value structures using traditional art school techniques. Features include value studies, color simplification, and various drawing guides.

Highlights
  • Value study analysis
  • Color simplification
  • Black mirror tool
  • Invert and flip reference
  • Line and plumb line guides
  • Grid overlay (rule of thirds, golden ratio)
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Artist Tools is the missing piece that will take your drawing to the next level. Import any reference image and instantly see its true value structure, check your proportions, and train your eye using the same techniques taught in traditional art schools. Run a value study on any reference and instantly see where your darks, midtones, and lights actually are — not where you think they are. Your tonal accuracy improves the moment you start using it. Your eyes lie to you. Artist Tools gives you objective tools to catch what your perception misses — the same methods classically trained artists rely on every day. VALUE TOOLS • Value Study Analyze the tonal values in your reference. See exactly which areas are light, mid-tone, and dark. Tap individual values to highlight where they appear in the image. • Simplify Reduce your reference to fewer colors. Strip away detail to see the essential value structure — just like squinting at your subject. • Black Mirror Compress the value range to see subtle value relationships more clearly. A digital version of the traditional artist's black mirror. • Invert Flip values to check your work from a fresh perspective. • Flip Mirror your reference horizontally to spot mistakes and asymmetry. DRAWING TOOLS • Line Tool Draw straight lines at any angle. Perfect for measuring proportions and finding alignments in your reference. • Plumb Line Vertical and horizontal guides that help you check alignment. Essential for accurate figure drawing and portraiture. • Box Tool Create rectangles to frame compositions, measure proportions, or isolate areas of your reference. • Envelope Tool Draw multi-point shapes around complex forms. Trace the outer contour of any subject to understand its basic shape. • Grid Tool Overlay rule-of-thirds, golden ratio, or custom grids for composition and proportion checking. BUILT FOR ARTISTS • Works completely offline — no internet required • Built-in tutorial to learn each tool • Organize guides in layers — toggle visibility, delete, rearrange • Auto-saves your work as you go • Export finished studies to your gallery • Dark interface that won't strain your eyes in the studio • Clean, minimal design that stays out of your way WHO IS THIS FOR? • Figure drawing students learning proportion and anatomy • Portrait artists checking alignments and value structures • Plein air painters simplifying complex scenes • Students practicing classical drawing techniques • Anyone serious about improving their observational drawing skills These are the same tools hanging on the wall of every traditional art school — the plumb line, the measuring stick, the black mirror, and the squinted eye. Now they fit in your pocket. Study any reference with precision. See values clearly. Draw with confidence. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Cranio Head Study

Features
Read full description

Cranio Head Study is a focused reference tool for artists who want to master the planes of the head. Rotate, pose and light a precise 3D head and body reference, then draw from it at any angle. No clutter, no noise — just the head, the light, and your practice. FEATURES • Full 360° rotation and free orbit around the head • Multiple head models and surface finishes • A full lighting rig with up to five lights for dramatic studies • Plane-shaded and smooth modes to understand structure • Clean, distraction-free interface built for long drawing sessions • Export reference frames in high resolution PRO Unlock all head models, every finish, the full five-light rig, and 4K export with no watermark. Available as a monthly or annual subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Perfect for figure-drawing students, portrait artists, animators and anyone learning to see the head as simple planes and forms. Privacy : https://asarolabs.com/privacy Terms : https://asarolabs.com/terms

Screenshots

Artist Tools4 screens
Cranio Head Study4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Artist Tools at 16.0 against Cranio Head Study's 18.2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Artist Tools sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Cranio Head Study sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Artist Tools ships an update every 11 days, Cranio Head Study every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Artist Tools versus Cranio Head Study: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArtist ToolsCranio Head Study
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB159 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHessam EmamiAvinash Kumawat

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Artist Tools

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium - Promo$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription - Promo7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Unlock Full App$8.99
7 purchases

Cranio Head Study

Subscriptions5
  • Pro Annual$2.991 Year
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro · Monthly$4.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Pro · Annual$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro · Lifetime$9.99
  • Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Artist Tools free?
Artist Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cranio Head Study free?
Cranio Head Study is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Artist Tools or Cranio Head Study have ads?
Neither Artist Tools nor Cranio Head Study shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Artist Tools or Cranio Head Study?
Artist Tools ships an update every 11 days, and Cranio Head Study every 9 days. Most recently, Artist Tools was updated on October 15, 2026 and Cranio Head Study on October 17, 2026.

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