Microsoft Garage's SketchPal combines modern inking with classic layers

What you need to know

SketchPal, a new sketching app, is now available from Microsoft Garage.
The app focuses on using touch and pen input to create artwork on the go.
The app is available for free through the Microsoft Store.

The Microsoft Garage provides a space for Microsoft employees to create and grow projects. Microsoft Launcher is probably the Microsoft Garage's best-known success story, but it has a wide range of apps and projects in it. Now, the Microsoft Garage has released another project, SketchPal, a sketching app that focuses on using touch and pen inputs to create artwork. The app is available for free through the Microsoft Store starting today.

Arcadio Garcia, the man behind SketchPal, announced the app's availability and shared some insights regarding the app on Twitter. One of his Tweets emphasizes how SketchPal focuses on touch and pen input.

SketchPal is an attempt at creating a different experience tailored for small devices that support both touch and pen input. It doesn't try to check all the boxes in a feature list or compete directly with any existing app.SketchPal is an attempt at creating a different experience tailored for small devices that support both touch and pen input. It doesn't try to check all the boxes in a feature list or compete directly with any existing app.— Arcadio "HalloWin32" García 🎃 (@arcadio_g_s) October 10, 2019 October 10, 2019

Garcia points out that SketchPal works well with smaller Windows 10 devices like the Surface Go and will also fit naturally on the upcoming Surface Neo. The app has a reference mode that makes it easy to have a reference image next to a sketch. That mode was inspired by Garcia trying out a dual-screen device.

In terms of features, SketchPal supports touch, pen, tilt support for pens, Surface Dial integration, and support for multiple screens.

SketchPal

This sketching app supports touch, pen, tilt support with pens, and the Surface Dial. It's aimed at giving artists an easy way to sketch on the go.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.