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MichaelHiggs

Who uses a tablet to draw?

Who here uses a tablet of some sort to do their drawing instead of traditional pencil and paper? How do you like it? How well does it work for you? When it comes to technology in art, I'm just a step above cave paintings. I have an old Wacom Pen Partner, but it's lousy for freehand drawing or digital inking and the like. I want a Cintiq or something like it, but can never justify the expense.

So, aside from the high-tech whiz-bang of a tablet, does it really make things faster or easier?
Viewed: 13 times
Added: 12 years, 4 months ago
 
BerretMC
12 years, 4 months ago
It removes the middleman of scanning, which can be a hassle if you don't have a scanner of your own. I'm not sure a Cintiq is really necessary... I mean I have a tablet and a WICKED cool art program (Paint tool SAI) I got that one separately. My only problem is that the active area is too small for me... IT takes a while to get used to it... but once you do, You'll be able to do a lot more with less hassle.

I'd look into getting a Bamboo Create Medium, or a Bamboo Fun Medium (2nd Gen) It's always going to be Wacom or bust, man... ALWAYS. I'd prefer the Create because it has a removable Mini USB cord that can be easily replaced if damaged. Also... The Wacom Tablets can wear on the pin nibs a bit, so it pays to have your spares (included) in a safe place. :3

But then, this is my preference. I'd look into the different models, and sizes thereof to see what they offer for your needs.
phyrexfirestorm
12 years, 4 months ago
i dont use any of that. i actually use a standard laptop, and it works fine. draw by hand, take picture of it with phone, send to laptop over  bluetooth, and ink/paint with anime studio 5, then send to photoshop cs5 for detailing. The only use I would have for the tablet would be for photoshop, since a mouse doesnt seem to follow exactly how I move.
MichaelHiggs
12 years, 4 months ago
I've seen Anime Studio in the store, how well does that work?
phyrexfirestorm
12 years, 4 months ago
AS 7 (the one currently in stores) takes about a week to learn basic controls on your own (I had no manual for 5 OR 7), but once you get the basics for making shapes and shades, it works rather well. You can even animate with it, though I do not reccommend doing that. It's vector based, so even if you need to go micro or macro, it looks as great as it did when you first made it. Overall, once you learn a little of it, the rest falls into place easily enough. If you take a look at  my gallery, andything made before "rock man" is only in anime studio. Afterward, I draw and flat shaded all the others in AS5, then sent them to photoshop for the details. AS is a good stepping-stone program for making base artwork, and good for practicing or studying how light moves on shapes. It's just dependant on how comfortable you are with working on curves and vector lines. Its best feature is making transparent PNG's, which are MUCH easier to use in photoshop.
picklejuice
12 years, 4 months ago
I am currently typing on an Asus EP121 tablet. $1,100. It's basically a Cintiq AND a laptop.

After downloading and installing a *good* wacom tablet driver (the driver that comes with the laptop inexpicably does NOT work with photoshop or GIMP), it has full pressure sentitivity and is the easiest thing for me to use.

I'm a long time photoshop user, and use a lot of keyboard shortcuts to switch brushes and other useful things. It's streamlined my inking and coloring to an awesome degree.

The new Samsung series 7 is a child of the EP121, and just came out. It's a powerhouse, and lighter than the 121. I wish I had one.

But, as far as "this is a blank screen, now I'm going to start drawing on this," I've only just started doing that. I still do a lot of sketches on paper, then scan them in before inking and coloring.

Do NOT get an Ipad. they are not pressure sensitive, and carry a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION fee, shackling you to using THEIR internet provider. If you drop the internet, the Ipad becomes an Ipaperweight.

word.
CIV
CIV
12 years, 4 months ago
I can't verify anything with the iPad2, but the original iPad uses whatever Wi-Fi you have in the area. It's not like an iPhone and isn't strapped to any carrier. I use it at work and at home. Unless of course you're talking 3G, but I don't have nor would I ever need 3G as the only time I'm not at home I'm in my car and not surfing the internet.
Micky
12 years, 4 months ago
I mostly started using tablets a few years ago as a full mouse replacement to help me manage a wrist injury (was too painful to use a mouse).

Took a good day or so to really get used to it, but once you do its a lot easier.

As for drawing, yeah, I use a tablet for that. It ends up being a lot easier and cleaner than with a pencil or whatever, mostly due to two things  - clean erasing, and CTRL-Z (undo).

Micky
12 years, 4 months ago
I've also done drawing on an iPad, too. Not so good really, its very clumsy and imprecise by comparison, but the convenience factor and the fun of it is kinda cool.

Still, these days I mostly carry my laptop everywhere, and I got a small cheap wacom to carry around with it so that I always have one with me. :)
CBFox
12 years, 4 months ago
I use a bic mechanical pencil a pilot precise V7 or 5 and art gum
Bahlam
12 years, 4 months ago
I've been using Wacom tablets for years now.  I wore out the last one more or less.  The cable started coming apart.  I'm using an Intuos 4 now and mostly draw with ArtRage Studio Pro (3.5.4).  It has the look and feel of real media only better.  I don't draw in an actual sketchbook that often anymore.  
CIV
CIV
12 years, 4 months ago
100% of my art is done on my iPad which is closest to a Cintiq 12. Up until I bought it a year ago I never did more than doodles and stick figures. My first piece in my gallery was drawn on paper, then photographed with a cell phone then emailed to myself. Whether on paper or on the iPad I find my lines don't deviate very much in style.

However, I do find that I'm more apt to draw on a digital pad and I'm better with my finger and a raw 1:1 input than I am with a pen or stylus on a blank tablet or paper. Mostly because my level of OCD makes any mistakes a permanent error that I can't seem to overcome while a digital line erases completely with no waste.

In the end it really depends on expense vs usefulness. You can drop a couple hundred or even thousand on a Cintiq or Wacom and if you use it more than traditional means then the cost of those supplies you would normally use are saved. If there's no difference and nothing to be gained then I suggest you stick with what you use now.
Frynge
12 years, 4 months ago
I had a tablet for about 5 minutes once.  then it vanished, never to be seen again before I could use it.  o.o;

so, I tried drawing your character, by the way, and... I created a meteor shower instead, which I'll be posting up.  but!  the quest to make a decent drawing continues! XD
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