iPad Pro w/Pencil as viable Cintiq alternative?

zuggarts 2018-08-27 18:02:38 UTC #1

Does anyone use an iPad Pro (with Apple Pencil) as their primary drawing tool? How do you like it so far? If you've used a Cintiq/display tablet before, what are the pros and cons?

I'm thinking of purchasing an iPad Pro in the near future as a cheaper, more portable alternative to a display tablet. Other primary motivators are to 1) speed up my workflow and 2) be able to do plein air stuff. Also open to alternative suggestions (not too expensive though, budget is around $1200 CAD/~$925 USD since I still need to cover tuition lmao).

I know some artists are a fan of the iPad Pro + Astropad setup to give the iPad the full-fledged powers of Photoshop/etc. Ideally I want to do the same, but am not a Mac owner and don't plan to be in the near future, so would only be able to use Duet or some other display mirroring software, which I've heard usually has significantly more bugs and worse latency. If you work under this kind of setup, how do you feel about it?

vworksart 2018-08-27 19:42:30 UTC #2

I've seen a lot of artists use the iPad pro with the apple pencil and I've contiplated many times if I should use the same but I can't justify the money. Especially since the stylus alone is so expensive.

I actually opted to go with the Galaxy Tab S3. Has a great feeling stylus (which uses wacoms tech I believe), decent pressure, and I only spent around $350 USD for the whole setup.
The thing is fast, responsive and it works great for me.

If you can, run into a Best Buy and try it out if you are skeptical.

Shanny8 2018-08-27 19:58:04 UTC #3

@vworksart iPad has their new air 9" tablet on sale with the Apple pencil for about $400-450; been at that price since January. That's what I'm planning on buying myself for Christmas...I been trying to get my hands on something like this so that I would have to carry my [not so] bulky laptop to work when I wanted get some comic stuff or drawings done during lulls.

@zuggarts you dont HAVE to be all "Mac" to use an iPad. Clip Studio is now iPad ready- the only drawback is that the tablet versions of CSP are subscription based; Pro version is $7/month and the EX version is $13/month.

I still plan on getting myself a Cintiq to use at home- but at least if I snag the iPad, it'll put off the Cintiq purchase a little longer until I have the $$$ to get the size Cintiq that I really want.

Raven_C 2018-08-27 20:01:47 UTC #4

I’ve also seen many artists use ipad pro as their main tablet. Punziella (https://www.instagram.com/punziella) and StrangelyKatie (https://www.instagram.com/strangelykatie) are two examples.
As far as I know, one of them uses Procreate to do illustration, and the other uses the app version of Clip Studio to do comics. My dad is also an artist and uses the iPad Pro, he’s loving it!

I myself also plan on purchasing the Ipad Pro to replace my old Mac soon. Primarily because of portability...plus Clip Studio has an iOS version and it’s the only program I care about. (CSP is heck of a lot cheaper per month than any Adobe programs too.) And since artists i admire use and recommend it I might as well give it a shot. As I’ve always done, i plan to purchase a refurb version since it’s cheaper — you can find those in Apple’s main website. Even my Cintiq and Mac are secondhands and they’ve been lovely. Just as someone suggested above, you might wanna give it a try in-store to see if you like it.

Saajing 2018-08-27 20:06:34 UTC #5

While I don't have the set-up, a lot of my friends have both ipad pro and apple pencil and they love it (consequentially, I went with a cintiq 13HD myself with is 800USD). You just have to consider the use you'll get out of it:

One of my friends (who has an pro and pencil) said it would be better to have a cintiq because I wouldn't have to constantly worry about updates, including app updates and incompatibility. The biggest downside for me though is, unless you have a station to permanently set it up with, and you don't intend on moving it much, is the constant set up. I have to unplug and replug every time I use it. Outside of that, though, I really enjoy working on it — MUCH better than a regular bamboo/intuos.

That being said, If you are more of a portable person, I'd definitely get a pro and pencil (At least the 10-inch if you're on a budget). Procreate, autodesk sketchbook, and Affinity Designer and Photo are some good apps for it (Affinity is especially a nice alternative to Adobe photoshop and Illustrator). I wouldn't trade my cinitq for one, but I'd surely add it to my arsenal of tools! You can also turn it into a display for your computer, though admittedly, I don't know how well that works.

Nullyish 2018-08-27 21:56:49 UTC #6

I use iPad Pro 2017 10" and gotta say I love it. I use it as my primary drawing tool and haven't encounter any problem. It's very portable that I can draw whenever and wherever I want (like when doing laundry XD). Imagine you can lie on the bed and sketch/design away.

However, if you have heavier work than a simple webcomic pages, I can't tell for sure. I personally wouldn't recommend it for people who usually draw on more than 4000px width canvas. Also, for some reasons my pen can't be used when it is charging (which take like 30 minutes(?) per week). And the glass screen, meet with the plastic tip of the pen, it's slippery so you may want matte screen protector film to give the pen a better grip.

If you have lighter work tasks I would recommend it. Never regret that purchase :3

indigodrawing 2018-08-27 22:22:58 UTC #7

Not really true, I'm afraid. I'm having to delay an OS update because the current version of Wacon's driver doesn't support my old Cintiq, and the version of the driver that does won't work in the latest version of OSX. Also it's not uncommon for Wacom to release driver updates that are worse than the version you currently have installed or are broken in some other fundamental way.

zuggarts 2018-08-28 02:30:28 UTC #8

Thanks for all the great replies!

@vworksart
Oooh, I should check that out. How is the jitter? My current laptop (Yoga 460) also has a pressure-sensitive screen w/Wacom tech (AES), but some things like the jitter and activation pressure threshold are unbearably bad... thanks for the rec!

@Shanny8
I know I don't have to, but I would prefer a good screen mirroring software (and right now, the most viable ones are Mac-exclusive). It'd be nice to have that instant-sync between devices, and would also enable me to use apps I'm more comfortable with (Photoshop) as well as other creative apps that lend themself well to display tablets only usable on my laptop.

Also that $400-450 deal sounds tempting...

@Lolygothica
Have you tried using Astropad/Duet with the iPad Pro before? And thank you, glad to hear it works out for you.

Nullyish 2018-08-28 02:41:54 UTC #9

Ah... I only use Medibang and Clip Studio.

Pandastrophic 2018-08-28 07:20:22 UTC #10

I personally use it, I bought the smallest ipad pro size, it was on sale since it's an older model. I use it a lot for storyboarding more than art, doind my storyboards on it has made things a lot easier for me. I draw on it too and I can make completed drawings but I feel like after I'm done with the art I still need to make edits on photoshop since I'm still not used to it, the apple pencil feels much heavier on my hand than the wacom pencil and I can't use it for too long. It's fantastic for traveling though and I take it with me everywhere.

Please make sure that the air works with pen pressure from the apple pencil, I heard that only the ipad pro works with pen pressure and is good for drawing.

ramiek 2018-08-28 09:57:27 UTC #11

I used to have the 13hd cintiq, which I bought as a bridge to the mobile version that was a full fledge computer. I draw on it a few times, but I didn't like the resolution of it, the shape (too rectangle-ish) and the fact I had to be on windows. I also never get around the fact I'm on a computer and not drawing on a paper.

When the Ipad pro came out I go the an apple store to try it and was in love immediately. the proportions are great, and the feel was amazing. it feels like drawing on paper.
it took me awhile to buy my own device but I'm using it now for my comics and I can actually do all my process on the ipad. drawing with procreate and finishing touches and text on affinity.
both of those programs are one time purchase and well worth the money.

Also, the ipad is lighter and I believe last longer.

andrew17 2018-08-28 11:35:20 UTC #12

I gave it a go but ended up going back to pen and paper. It was the feel of the pen on the glass that I couldn't get used to, and I found it affected my drawing adversely. Are there any transparent films available that can go over the screen to give a bit more resistance?

Draconic 2018-08-28 12:13:32 UTC #13

As someone who has a plan to buy both iPad Pro and Cintiq Pro, I recommend you to ignore all those Cintiq devices if you're on the budget. Cintiq will never be worth it when money is your personal problem! Ipad Pro or Ipad 2018 is the best on budget for drawing tablet right now.

On the alternative, you can buy a Surface Pro 2017 devices if you mainly focus the display tablet feature. On Windows 10, you can Remote Connnect your Windows 10 tablet to PC and they will act like a wireless drawing tablet, pressure sensitive and pen button are all supported in the OS. I'm using Surface Pro 2 and have tried to remote connect my PC a lot, it's quite surprised how good the Pen Remote feature is. I don't think Mac OS will have this feature in our near future based on the natural of Apple.

Avoid all Android tablet devices if you need a drawing tablet!
The only good drawing app on Android is Medibang. While on iOS, there are Medibang, ProCreate, full-featured Clip Studio Paint, and upcoming full-featured Photoshop CC 2019. Beside that, I think you know how good the Ipad Pro's hardware already.

vworksart 2018-08-28 15:39:47 UTC #14

@zuggarts So I'm not sure what your drawing process is, but I kinda work with a quick swipe style. With no stabilizers or stroke asists, I don't notice much jitter until I slow down to a crawl.

With stabilizers, the jitter is about unnoticeable to me.

It also depends on the software that you use as well but all in all for the money, I think it's a good fit.
Two good apps I use are Medibang Paint, and Ibis Paint.

Hope that helps!

jay3spin 2018-08-29 00:32:44 UTC #15

hey am working on my comic on my ipad since my chinese cintiq died on me....and well it's really complicated working a full-fledged webcomic in it..... in my workflow, ipad pro with the apple pencil it's ideal to sketch and ink.... coloring pinups it's alright too, buuuut working with a zillion layers it's not possible. sooner or later you start missing alot any desktop software to organize your webcomic.

if your comic it's really simple....like strip or four panel simple i think you're going to love the ipad with procreate, if you're thinking in a traditional webcomic. I don't think it's the best idea...

using astropad is always an alternative, but you need to have a mac book or an imac, and well it's not the best of experience because of lag, but it works....

in my case I'm already saving for a cintiq pro...

hope it helps!

DiegoPalacios 2018-08-29 00:40:09 UTC #16

If you have the chance, try the product to see if it feels good for you before spending any money.