I'm completely new to digital art -- any tablet recommendations?

[spadesart]

Tablets with screens are extremely pricey. The one I'm saving up for is Wacom's smallest one (13 inch) and it's $800. If you're looking for something you don't have to plug into a computer you might have to go with (as far as i know) a surface pro, which is a whole nother computer and are well over $1000.

The tablet I started with and still have is a Wacom Bamboo Fun (the silver one) and it's handled pretty well especially since its over 6 years old. it was $180.

Animation length depends on the program. Full length animation programs with sound and everything that are actually GOOD are also gonna be close to the $1000 mark. Studio Ghibli DID release their animation program, opentoonz but looking at that thing is like looking at an airplane cockpit it's so complicated.

art is expensive hahaha

[digitalvalium1]

I own and use a Ugee 1910b, and like it, thought it is somewhat sensitive to a few known issues:
1) The drivers require the printed install protocol to be meticulously followed.
2) Support is about what can be expected from a Chinese company.
3) Requires regular calibration. I do so every month to prevent errors.
4) Does not support HDMI. VGA input only.
5) When applying too much pressure the pen will sometimes squeak.
6) No hotkeys on the monitor.

What I love about my tablet, the short form:

1) Drawing is effortless after calibration.
2) No hand-eye coordination issues.
3) Actually came with 2 pens. (The new ones don't require batteries, which is nice, but I cannot personally vouch for their reliability.)
3) After an initial installation issue, it has been trouble free.
4) I have not had to replace any nibs as the screen has absolutely no texture. (It's weird at first.)

Wacom Cintiq is a much better tablet, but alas, even used is worth more than my wife's Honda.

The only thing I really don't like about the Wacom is that replacement nibs for the pen are necessary because of the texture of the surface. It feels great, just like paper, but I'll wear down a nib in a matter of weeks.

You'll have to invest in software to do animation. Smith Micro makes a platform. I own it. Haven't played with it. I can't say much about animation as a whole, though I'm sure someone else can address that area.

[phen]

Also definitely recommend a little Bamboo. I started out with a bizarre, off-brand from ebay which... frustrated me more than anything. Even though you're starting out, you shouldn't necessarily go with something "light and simple" because 9 times outta 10, you'll end up getting burnt out on faulty hardware and absurd technical issues (which is why it's awesome you're trying to avoid the finicky construction!).

Wacom in general is a fairly sound choice. My school provided us with Bamboos which worked very, very well in comparison to the one I had (it was something 9000, not a Huion but my brother had one of those and it was equally awful).

GRANTED, technically speaking the 9000 and Huion lasted about 4 years each. Decent driver support (back on Windows Vista!), stylus never had any issues, cords were fine. But the pressure sensitivity range was not good and it was a very sharp learning curve for me going from pure traditional to digital. If I'd had the Bamboo or the Intuos4 that I have now, I would've had way more fun learning and a much better grip on digital inking.

[SamiWazHere]

I recommend the Huion 1060 Plus. It's cheap $50-$90 and it's nice.
- It has 6.5x10 inch active area
- 12 express keys
- And it's cheap.
Mine broke because of a hard drop, and I am expecting to get the replacement soon. But Wacom has some great ones, but they are not cheap (Because they are #1).
I think the Huion is ok, not the best quality, though. But it works fine.

[hushicho]

I would not recommend a tablet with a screen, because not only are they overpriced (and usually relatively fragile), but it's also not like most people think to draw on them, especially if it's your first tablet. I've had more than a few friends and colleagues disappointed by the actual experience as opposed to the idea; for a while I'd been interested myself.

As far as brands, I've used Monoprice for years now and never had a problem with them. They're inexpensive but have good quality. Wacom is, in my experience, overpriced and not really better than something much cheaper. When it comes down to it, you're going to have to learn how to calibrate the stylus and the pen settings specific to any program you use, so it'll be something you need to do regardless.

I'd advise learning on a regular tablet, which will help you train muscle memory and enhance hand-eye coordination, which is something that will benefit you in working digitally in art. But whatever you decide, if you're completely new...start out with something good but not expensive. You won't really know until you've cultivated your own digital approach -- which will be somewhat different from a traditional one -- whether or not you can commit to it on the long term and if you want to really make a significant investment as a draw-on-screen tablet will require.

[OliviaMerteli]

I have the Wacom Bamboo Fun.
I can't compare to others because it's my first and only tablet for now. It's cheap, it's basic but it's all I need right now. And it's good quality: pretty easy to install, no problem with the drivers, neither with the software I use (I even use it as a mouse in non drawing software, often) and, after six years of almost dayly use, I still haven't change the stylus tip (two/ three of them are given with the tablet).

[digitalvalium1]

She has an excellent point. I have an old bamboo that I started with, and still have it. The Wacom "manga" tablets are also excellent, as I bought one for my son. Both are relatively cheap by comparison and will serve superbly until you feel you've outgrown it and are ready to make a large investment.

I would not recommend a tablet with a screen, because not only are they overpriced (and usually relatively fragile), but it's also not like most people think to draw on them, especially if it's your first tablet. I've had more than a few friends and colleagues disappointed by the actual experience as opposed to the idea; for a while I'd been interested myself.

[adcrook01]

Yeah I would also recommend a regular tablet, as I have had the Wacom Intuos pen small tablet for about 2 years now, and I'm really comfortable with it. And also it was only $50 and I have had no issues with it at all.
As for animation software, I don't really know. I've only used Adobe animate (flash) and that works really well. The only problem I had with it, was the fact that you have to buy a subscription to use it, and I personally don't have the money to do that.
Hope this helps!

[punkarsenic]

are you looking for a graphics tablet or an ipad type tablet?

id recommend, for art, getting a graphics tablet - my personal recommendation is huion. theyre fairly cheap, but high quality - they dont have a screen, as others have said thats really expensive. youre better off learning to use a regular graphics tablet; youll acclimatise soon enough, and its a useful skill to have.

[nolongerusestheforum]

Oh, wow, I had it backwards -- I thought that the kind of tablet that doesn't have a draw-on screen is what costs hundreds of dollars, not the other way around. I actually didn't even want one with a draw-on screen, but I thought the ones that had that were cheaper. Thank you everyone, for clearing that up for me!!!

are you looking for a graphics tablet or an ipad type tablet?

A graphics tablet, I think. A graphics tablet is the kind that plugs in to a computer, and you draw on the sensor/pressure pad thing, right?

12 express keys

I'm sorry, but what are keys?

I'd advise learning on a regular tablet

By "regular tablet", you mean a tablet that does not have a draw-on screen, right?

[punkarsenic]

yeah, a graphics tablet plugs into a computer and you draw on the pressure pad thing. (which is, without a screen, usually what people mean by a 'regular tablet')

express keys are, afaik, buttons on the side of the tablet that do things like select your eraser or pen, zoom in or out, undo - stuff like that.

[Shanny8]

I use the Wacom Pen & Touch medium. There are other series of Intuos tablets as well. The small sized ones usually run about $80-100; the medium sized ones usually run about$180-200. There are other brands as well that at less costly than Wacom(Huion, Agee, Monoprice).

The tablets that have the draw on screens are the more expensive ones. There are also tablets like the iPad and Surface Pro that function as an ordinary web surfing tablet AND have programs on them that you can use to produce/create comics. Those type tablets(pending on the processor speed & memory/storage size) can be expensive as well.

If you dont want to sink a bunch of money into a tablet, buy something you can afford and use it to better your skills as well as your familiarity. If at a later point you want to invest in a larger tablet with a screen or a Surface, then at least your skill level will be developed enough to do so.

[heterodont]

it really depends on how much you plan to draw imo.

I had a small bamboo fun (which is now the intuos line, it got rebranded) and it worked very well for over 5 years, and even after 2 years of disuse after I pulled it out when my tablet pen for my pro broke. however when I took it out it was very obvious how cramped the thing was in comparison to the tablet I currently use (intuos pro medium).

I mainly upgraded because the sensitivity on the intuos pro is far better than the one on the bamboo and I don't find myself pressing too hard in order to get the line thickness i want. on the bamboo my hand ended up cramping after a single drawing when normally i can do 5 on a good day. granted, the drivers on the pro love to crash at the most minor things.

i draw practically 24/7 so a bigger tablet was a good investment for me - but the smaller size tablets are always good to start off with if you have never used a tablet before. i cant say much on wacom vs huion/agee/monoprice because ive only ever used wacom, but some of the competitor tablet pens require batteries to function iirc which is something to take into consideration as well.

[nolongerusestheforum]

Oh, okay! Thank you so much for answering my questions without making me feel like I'm an idiot.

[MinNCompany]

@stnmaren aIRPLANE COCKPIT

[mintycanoodles]

i've had five tablets, a tooya pro, a genius g-pen, a bamboo fun, an ugee g3 and now a wacom intuos pro. most were at $100 or lower, except for the intuos pro but honestly they've all been about the same performance-wise. the intous is nice, but the only thing that makes it better than the others are the programmable keys, the touch capability and the option to go wireless. drawing on it isn't really any better than the less expensive tablets so i'd recommend a cheaper tablet if you're just starting out.

the ugee g3 is a good tablet, it's under 60 bucks on amazon, and it lasted me a long time. ugee software isn't the best, but you don't need anything fancy to run the tablet. (if you do get anything ugee DON'T USE THE SOFTWARE DISK. download any drivers from the website i cannot stress that enough. the disk is useless.)

ugee's site only lists the hk1060 now but they used to have a lot more, and i think the older ones are still available on amazon. anyway, good luck!

[nolongerusestheforum]

Thank you all SO MUCH for all your help and advice! You have saved me so much time and stress!

[Knight_Wolf]

personaly in saving up for a Intus comic medium or small its the only one that i find easy more or less here in portugal!

[nolongerusestheforum]

I'm sorry that you don't have a very big selection to choose from where you live. I hope an Intus works well for you.

[Knight_Wolf]

@hazyandstar they do its the best one so let hope there right its making line work whit a mouse on medibang pro for sure! program his go just drawing whit whit mouse his just.....