Graphics Tablets

I'm often asked what I use to make digital art. This video answers that question, and also gives recommendations of what you might want to look for if you want one too.

I currently use a Graphire 4 graphics tablet made by Wacom that has a 4"x5" drawing surface.

Since those are getting harder to find though, you may be better off looking for a small (4"x6" drawing surface) Bamboo or Bamboo Fun model, which are both made by Wacom. These tend to sell for $100 CAN/US or less, and if you look around, you can regularly find one selling for around $80.

They're VERY handy to draw with on the computer, and for that matter, are a nice change sometimes from using a mouse.

Take a look at some of the other videos around YouTube, and you'll find people doing live demonstrations of how thee things work.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer them.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• graphics
• tablet
• Wacom
• digital
• art
• draw
• paint
• PhotoShop
• ozwalled
• learn
• sofware
• Graphire
• Bamboo
• Fun
• hobby
• cartoon
• GIMP

[TwilightBullet87]

I just recently got a Trust tablet (not sure if you've heard of it) and I draw ALOT better on paper than I do using a tablet. I think I just gotta get used to it

[ozwalled2007]

While I've never used that particular brand at all, I'd say that yeah, it may just be a matter of getting used to using the thing -- I'd say that a week or two of using it will typically get most people used to a tablet. (which is pretty much the same amount of time it takes people to learn how to use a mouse for the first time)

[WiccanThorn26]

I'm using my brother's BAMBOO tablet to draw but it's quite wobbly and even when I draw really steadily on MS Paint it looks horrible! any help on what programs I can use for drawing?

[ozwalled2007]

Not sure exactly what you're experiencing, so without seeing it, it's hard to say...

That said, if you look around for OpenCanvas 1.1, it's free, fun, and absolutely tiny, or you could look up Aviary (which is a web-based graphics suite, actually) and try out its Phoenix feature. If you can get non-wobbliness, then chances are it's MS Paint's issue. If not, it's either you, your tablet, or some settings you should adjust.

Good luck! :D

[nerfguy3million]

hey what program do you use? or do you have anny recomindations for some free programs for the graphics tablet

[ozwalled2007]

as mentionned, a lot of people like GIMP. I personally find it clunky, but I need to give it another chance someday -- it's probably thebest free graphics program out there in terms of flexibility.

Others worth looking into are PaintDotNet, OpenCanvas 1.1, Inkscape (for vector graphics), and the online Aviary graphics suite (entirely web-based, but surprisingly awesome).

[NinjaRat10FromRS]

this guy sounds a bit like the guy from friends :D

[LokisWeil]

bamboo is expensive but cintiq & intuos is more expensive x__X

[juvedbest1897]

hi, would you recommend me a Genius G-Pen F610 6"x10" Multimedia Tablet?

[mrsvampireweekend]

When you use a tablet are there some softwares you have to use with it or can you use it with paint

[bubbleandpop1]

im getting one for christmas and its a BAMBOO one or something.were using this software to draw with called CORALtm,but after reading some one elses coments,im not sure if i should get a BAMBOO one for christmas. please reply!!!

[itoumakoto1980]

well hello there 240p

[Jmyster4]

lol, old youtube layout, good stuff

[Flowen]

So you can move the arrow on the screen by hovering the pen over the tablet drawing surface?

[macho2k8]

would anyone know a good tablet that is like a cintiq where it has the feature that instead of looking at your computer screen your looking down on the tablet but cheaper?? thanks

[liacokelat]

lol.. i miss the old utube

[zannadootothetenth]

ive been thinking about getting one from bamboo an im wondering some say yes an my friend who took graphics desing an he said his teachers said not to use them an i am just wondering should i use a mouse or should i get the tablet

Dan

[saraharoon199]

@WiccanThorn26

You can use paint tool sai, Photoshop, art rage, gimp, etc.

I say you should use paint tool sai because its the best (: