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It seems to me that the macOS Preview app's purpose is to edit existing images. I'm wondering if it's possible to create new images from scratch. For example, I would like to create an illustration with some paintbrushes. Instinctively I'm looking for File -> New Image, but it doesn't seem to exist in Preview. Please advise.

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    I would have a plain white jpg of a reasonable size handy that you can open and then save as... Also Preview is not designed as a paint app. It started life as a quick way to "preview" (ahem....) graphics files and has evolved into a simple touch-up, graphic manipulation app. So no you can't create a new graphic in Preview, as for it's suitability as a painting tool, well you get what you pay for. – Steve Chambers Oct 19 '18 at 22:18
  • Since this isn't possible in Preview, do you want recommendations of (free) software that can do this? – abc Oct 20 '18 at 4:53
  • @abc that would be great. I'm looking for something free and simple. GIMP was a pain to use. Thanks! – Dmitry Oct 21 '18 at 0:10
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No it isn't possible to create new images with Preview, as it is just meant for doing basic edits on images.(see @SteveChambers' comment)

If you really want to use Preview and not another app, just find a white image of the size you want and open it in Preview to edit and draw on it.

Otherwise, you can use 3rd party software:

  • GIMP, a free and open-source image editor with many capabilities, including creating and drawing images(fun fact: the very first Google logo was created in this program)

  • Keynote, made by Apple as a presentation app, but can also be used for simple drawings

  • Pixelmator (paid), a user-friendly image editor with many drawing/painting capabilities

  • Acorn (paid), a user-friendly image editor with many drawing/painting capabilities

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  • Please include Photoshop here. It is probably the most relevant. And it is possible, but pointless. I will add a pointless answer. – JBis Oct 23 '18 at 18:32
  • @JBis I only wanted to include lower priced software since OP is only doing basic drawing, and even then GIMP and Affinity Photo together as good as, if not better, than Photoshop. – abc Oct 23 '18 at 22:08

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