Tablets

Different_Directions

Hi im new to the ''tablet scene'' and so I have been wondering wether its more or lesss needed to have one the size of an A4 piece of paper? or will a smaller one do too start off on, i mean, can u scroll across on the computer so that you can draw onto a A4 or bigger sozed piece of paper anywya? or will i be bound to the size of the tablet i buy...

please, if you can, answer me and give me some advice on whats a nice tablet to start with..??

Thankyou..

Valandar

Actually... it depends. My first tablet was an 8x10, but my current one is a 4x6. The 4x6 is easier for me to draw on mostly because I mostly use wrist and finger action. The larger tablet used more arm motion, and I simply didn't have as much control as I wanted. Some people use more arm motion, so a larger tablet would be better for them than a smaller one.

ZacD

A nice tablet that's cheap and works well is the bamboo series.
http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_pen.php

Some people are comfortable working on a smaller one, and they are easier to work with, but the larger ones provide a more drawing like experience and allow for broader strokes, and generally more precision and less concern about hand control.

If you never used a tablet before and don't want to invest too much, The $69 bamboo pen is a nice option.

ikken

bamboo will be a perfect replacement for your mouse and great tool to use in sculpting applications;
if you plan to do digital painting, you will want to purchase a larger intuos at some point.
if you work as a concept artist professionally, it will be a good investment.

Snader

The best tip i can give you:

Try them out. Like Zac said, some prefer working with a large one, some prefer a small tablet. Ask friends, or walk into a store (I think apple stores usually have a bunch of sizes as demo units) and feel what you prefer.

If you're new to tablets I would also advise against buying a good wacom. A Bamboo(about $50) is a good deal if you want a small one, but the cheapest A4 Wacom would be the Intuos ($400-$500) which is a lot of money to spend on something you're just trying out. UI personally bought a Genius G-pen 712 for less than a quarter of the price, and it's pretty good. Not as super as a wacom, it lacks the tilt-function and uses a AAA-battery in the pen, but you'll hardly (if at all) notice the difference if you're just starting out.

CompanionCube

perfect starter tablet

http://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/BAMBOO%20PEN%20&%20TOUCH_P1526.cfm

Playdo

I'm thinking of getting a Bamboo myself. I've hardly used a tablet so it does make sense to start off cheap.

One thing I would like to know; I'm working on two large monitors, so a bamboo would be too small to cover both of them. Can I set it up so that the Bamboo covers one monitor and then I have a mouse set up for the second monitor?

ZacD

normally you set it up so the bamboo covers one and the mouse can go between the 2 like normal.

Joshua Stubbles

it depends on how you paint. If you find yourself using mainly wrist movements, I'd go with a smaller tablet (6x8 or so). If you prefer larger, arm-sweeping movements (seemingly more popular with "painters") then a 9x12 or larger is for you.

I use a 6x8 at home and work, but I DID prefer the 9x12 I had back at 5000ft.

Different_Directions

Thankyou very much for all replies and links ists all veyr helpfull in my search

just a couple more things though..

If im using my tablet and i stop and take my 'pen' off my tablet, when i want to return to my drawing, how do i know where too take off, does it leave some kind of imprint..?

Also, please check out my sketchbook n give some feedback if you got time, no replies yet :P

Thanks.

Disco Stu

You already see the brush moving when your not touching the tablet yet.
It paints when you ass pressure.

Valandar

Ass pressure? That's a strange tablet, Stu!

Seriously, he's right. The cursor still moves around the screen when the stylus isn't touching it.

Different_Directions

ahh yes i see, got a very cheap one here jus too mess with till i purchase a bamboo version..

where should i be posting my 1st attempts at tablets? with my sketches in digital sketchbook?

glenatron

I had a bamboo, and it's definately a good starter tablet, but you'll eventually want to replace it.
I've now got an intuos3 a5 wide, and granted its about four times the price, but its ten times better. Much better pressure sensitivity, a much better size, even down to better build quality, and better quality nibs.

If you can spring for an intuos, I would.