Artists tablets.

[romanus]

Hello!

Would anyone be able to advise me on the use of an artists tablet - for instance the Wacom instruments? I'm a pencil and charcoal "artist", but wish to perhaps utilise the tablet to touch up my existing drawings. I would guess, but don't know, that the whilst the tablet might be useful for things like "manga", it is clumsy and unnatural when used for "free-flowing" drawings or images. I've looked at a few of these tablets, and there are a few for under £100.00. Also, what is the best kind of software that can be used with such a device? I wonder how many of you artists actually use these tablets. Thanks very much.

[Oldthumbs]

If you look in the "Check Here First" thread in this forum, you will find a couple of links to other threads on graphic tablets that will be useful to you. Many of the people using these tablets are doing digital art, so you will find them hanging out in the Digital Art forum. You may find other information over there.

Hope that helps.

Ray

[Jon Grimes]

Hi
I am new to the forum and noticed you posts regards artists tablets. I have a link in post post signature that goes to a site that looks at low cost drawing tablets. I produce art in both digital and traditional media and use an Addesso tablet, a low cost tablet with specification similar to that of a wacom tablet. A review of the tablet I use can be found on the site below. You don't have to break the bank to get a drawing tablet that will help produce great art, but the drawing tablet is only one part of the equation, with software being the other.

You mention a natural way to draw and paint and using the drawing tablet can still achieve and settings within the software you use can also aid this. The links in my signature also lead to my art website where you can see my digital art. It's mainly fantasy based but take a look.

[Jon Grimes]

Hi forgot to mention, the software I use is photoshop but photoshop elements will be a good starting point and sometimes photoshop elements is bundled with some drawing tablets free. There are also some good free / cheap alternative like artrage and gimp which can produce some great art.

Hope this helps
All the best
Jon

[llawrence]

Had an Aiptek once, it was a complete disaster. Gave it to Goodwill. I recommend sticking with Wacom. The smaller tablets aren't too horribly expensive. I've had my Intuos2 for seven years now, and it still rocks - and I haven't had to change the stylus batteries once, because it doesn't use any. Good investment.

[Jon Grimes]

I think it's like most technology, you either hate it or love it, but my APitek (addesso) has certainly seen me right and for the price you can't go far wrong.

[Uly]

I have had my Wacom Bamboo Bamboo Tablet for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I did a lot of research before I brought a tablet and I decided on the cheaper and smaller Wacom Bamboo. I read that professional artist's don't like the smaller tablets as some feel they can't draw long sweeping lines with them. I have had no troubles at all drawing long sweeping lines with my smaller Wacom Bamboo.

I use Freeware Gimp and My paint programs for drawing and painting. I brought the Excellent Art Rage program too. I use my Wacom Bamboo with Paintshop Pro X3 to do a lot of Photo editing. when I get better with Digital art I will buy the Professional Corel Painter and Photoshop Programs.

Best thing I ever brought was my Wacom Bamboo Tablet :-)

cheers

Uly