Where ibis Paint X and Krita are built for painting on a digital canvas, Artrace works the other way round: it puts a guide image on your camera view so you can draw on real paper. It is a free Android app from Braly JSC in the drawing category. Google Play lists over 50 million installs and a 4.6 rating from 373.2 thousand ratings.
Braly JSC and the 2024 release
Artrace is published by Braly JSC under the package ID com.draw.sketch.ardrawing.trace.anime.paint. Google Play shows an initial release on June 22, 2024, and the latest update on October 30, 2026, which is version 2.0.2. The developer's website points to an app-ads.txt file at bralyvn.com.
The app is rated Everyone and tagged under art and design. It is free to install, with ads and in-app purchases.
Tracing through the camera and the lesson tools
The core idea is simple. You place the phone on a stand, look through the screen, and sketch what appears there, whether that is a sample photo, a nearby object or a whole scene. You can pick from a sample library or import a picture from your own gallery.
The topic list is long: anime, cartoon, animal, food, chibi, vehicle, flowers, eyes, Christmas and nature are among those named. The store text mentions characters such as Hello Kitty, Pikachu and Jujutsu Kaisen.
For learning, complex photos can be turned into simple outlines. Video tutorials cover how to draw specific pictures, and there are three difficulty levels. Controls include opacity, zoom, flash and video recording of the drawing process. A profile tracks time spent drawing and lessons completed, and finished work can be shared with friends and the community.
Android 7.0 minimum and what to expect on a stand
Artrace needs Android 7.0 or newer. Check the Google Play page for download size and camera requirements on your device.
Since the method depends on holding the phone steady above your paper, a stand is part of the setup.
Artrace pros and cons
Pros
- Free to install, with no price listed on Google Play
- Camera overlay lets you trace onto real paper
- Video tutorials and three difficulty levels help beginners
- Opacity, zoom, flash and video recording are included
- Works on Android 7.0 and newer
Cons
- Contains ads
- Offers in-app purchases, and their costs are not listed here
- Ads appear in the free version
- Needs a phone stand for comfortable use
Is Artrace safe?
Artrace comes from the developer Braly JSC and carries a content rating of Everyone. Since it uses the camera to overlay outlines on your surroundings, look over the permission list on its Google Play page before you install it. The app is free, shows ads and offers in-app purchases.
How to install Artrace
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open Artrace when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
