I plan on getting an tablet soon but i have no idea what to get

KatFrendly24 2014-05-23 17:31:09 UTC #1

I'm graduating in a week and I've already started receiving money. I would like to use this money to get a tablet so i can draw on a computer. I've never had one before and have absolutely no idea on what i should be looking for. So I would really like some sort of suggestion. And also tell me what kinds of art softwares are easy to use.
Thanks =^.^=

michaelson 2014-05-23 20:56:56 UTC #2

Have you played around with any tablets before? I'd start off small and work your way up from there.

Wacom Bamboo is a good place to start or you can alternatively look into monoprice (it's relatively cheaper, but the pen tools are a bit heavier since that's where you store the battery).

If you're on windows, I'd recommend using Manga Studio (4 or above) or Paint Tool Sai. The programs are really good because they smooth out lines and Sai also has automatically blends when you use their brush tool which is nice if you're going to be digitally painting a lot.

KatFrendly24 2014-05-24 02:23:15 UTC #3

Well one of my friends has a tablet and i doodled on it for a few minutes. I drew a fluffy little cat o3o
but i didnt particularly enjoy the feel of it. it might just be cus im overly picky =w=
but other than that i have no experience with tablets.

she said it was one of the cheaper Wacom tablets

jaredraws 2014-05-24 02:36:37 UTC #4

ArtRage It is a good program for your table http://www.artrage.com/

gwendygayle 2014-05-24 08:26:56 UTC #5

Definitely get a Wacom Bamboo tablet. I myself started with a Pen and Touch. It might take some time to get used to though, since it's an entirely new world compared to years of using the mouse. I doing some practice draws. What I did was aside from drawing, I also played video games using my drawing tablet as the mouse. It definitely helped with the hand eye coordination

thornyjohn 2014-05-24 22:44:41 UTC #6

Wacom has a few different pen tips (hard plastic, soft plastic felt tips, etc.) that will each have a different feel. However, even the most pencil-like tips (the hard felt / soft plastic ones, imo) still do not feel like analog art tools. Likewise, your friend's cheap Wacom table was probably one of the Bamboo (older) or basic Intuos (newer, but still inexpensive) will have a very different feel than a Wacom Intuos Pro tablet, which has a more "bitey" rubberized surface. The most expensive Wacom tablets will be the Cintiq monitor/tablets, and those will feel just like what you'd expect: running a ballpoint pen over an LED monitor's screen surface...very slick.

Don't discount a tablet because it doesn't feel like traditional/analog tools. Play with them and learn them. Like everything else, it will take some time. I'd recommend getting your feet wet with one of the less expensive Intuos models. It can only get better (but more expensive) from that point.

KatFrendly24 2014-05-24 23:44:59 UTC #7

This is the one she had. i wasnt too enticed by the metallic like surface going along with some sort of metal tip i think?or something close to that. i dunno. it made a not very preferable noise... i know that it will take time to learn how to use these things. so time i shall take and learn i shall do (~'3')~

Pyrobolser 2014-05-26 13:51:44 UTC #8

Personnally, i have a Wacom Bamboo A5.
But it depends on what you want to do. Speed painting, inking sketches, coloring...

I suggest, you start with a little one (A6, A5 or A4). I bought mine 70€ (~90$) 5 years ago. I use it every day, and it's still working fine.

KatFrendly24 2014-05-27 14:20:09 UTC #9

i have no idea of the difference between those =w=

eethy 2014-06-13 22:06:49 UTC #10

Before you drop $$$ or €€€ on a Wacom, I'd check out the Huion 610 for $55 on Amazon.

I used a Wacom Intuos 4 for years then got a Huion 610 and my Wacom has sat in a drawer ever since.

It just works better than the Wacom, for a fraction of the price. The pressure response is smoother and more comfortable, and overall it's more reliable.

Here's an extensive, detailed review by Ray Frenden of the Huion 610, complete with video.

Do your homework, of course, and be aware of the tradeoffs. The Huion 610 may have fewer features than a Wacom tablet, depending on the model.

But in terms of the core functionality of drawing, I think it's a superior product. (And it's A LOT less expensive.)