Drawing tablet/program for a beginner?

billwill

Hey all,

I sketch occasionally in my free time, and draw simple comics for my friends. I've never drawn on a computer before... what should I look for in a tablet? And what about computer programs for sketching/drawing?

I don't want to spend too much on either, but I do want a few steps above the cheapest stuff available.

Thanks!

The_Glad_Hatter

For tablets there's pretty much only one brand, everyone will agree on that: Wacom.

Their Bamboo range is quit good for beginners. Postcard-size is good enough at first, or perhaps A5 paper size...

Software-wise i'm a photoshop-guy, so perhaps some other people can help you with cheaper software.. Photoshop Elements ( = photoshop Lite) is about $100, altough i'm not sure what exactly you can and cannot do with it.

Raern

I don't know a lot about the art side itself, but when it comes to software it's worth remembering open source software can be both free and functional. The art program I hear most about is The Gimp: http://www.gimp.org/

There's really no reason not to try the open source options before deciding if you want to drop money on more expensive stuff.

Orikaeshigitae

Manga Studio EX is fairly cheap. It's at my local drugstore. I hear decent things. Not good, but decent. Given that your criteria are 'I want something above the bargain bin but not expensive' it's about the best you'll be able to do other than Opencanvas.

Rainbulimic

I've recently heard of an art program called SAI which is apparently quite popular on Deviantart at the moment. I've not tried it myself cause I have photoshop and that's fine for me but it's pretty pricey. Sai might be a comparatively cheaper option.

MagicToaster

billwill wrote: »

I don't want to spend too much on either, but I do want a few steps above the cheapest stuff available.

Thanks!

Wacom's Bamboo Pen model is right for you.

Also, as for software, all the Wacoms used to come with a free version of Photoshop Elements, it seems that the new ones come with Corel Painter Essentials which is just a step down from Corel Painter.

Good luck!

Cowboy Bebop

The bamboo is a pretty good graphics tablet for when your starting out, for software I'd reccomend Manga Studio debut as it's really cheap and behaves like your working with real paper and pencils est. Further down the line you might want to invest in an Wacom Intuos3 and a copy of photoshop(if your a student you can get it dirt cheap with the bundels adobe have).

Honk

Alchemy is an excellent software for quick painting, it has features to "promote" creativity and using it is really fun if you just want to do quick sketches or maybe block some shapes out to continue working on in another software.

It is also free!

Bloodfart

I suggest considering an ipad. With the right apps and a conductive pen you can draw directly onto the image. Some tools and navigation are faster and more fluid with gestures and fingers instead of a mouse.

I use my ipad as a drawing tablet all the time though it is much more expensive than a bamboo i see.

Cowboy Bebop

Bloodfart wrote: »

I suggest considering an ipad. With the right apps and a conductive pen you can draw directly onto the image. Some tools and navigation are faster and more fluid with gestures and fingers instead of a mouse.

I use my ipad as a drawing tablet all the time though it is much more expensive than a bamboo i see.

The resolution isn't great on the ipad from what I've been told

MushroomStick

Cowboy Bebop wrote: »

Bloodfart wrote: »

I suggest considering an ipad. With the right apps and a conductive pen you can draw directly onto the image. Some tools and navigation are faster and more fluid with gestures and fingers instead of a mouse.

I use my ipad as a drawing tablet all the time though it is much more expensive than a bamboo i see.

The resolution isn't great on the ipad from what I've been told

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, ipads aren't pressure sensitive.

Bartholamue

That is true.

Honk

I'd not even consider using an iPad for drawing. Also consider that the surfaces of Wacom tablets mimic texture, so it doesn't feel like you're drawing on glass. Which would be the case if you used an iPad.

Also pressure sensitivity. And several other things, but pressure sensitivity is extremely important.

I can see it being neat if you already have an iPad though.