New to wacom

**Abee** · May 31st, 2007, 01:09 PM

Hi! one of my biggest goals in life is to become a concept artist.
(That, plus killing all the mosquitos in the northern parts of sweden, but nevermind that.)

I'm used to drawing, sketching, painting irl, so I've decided to take it a bit further, I'm buying a wacom. And here's where my questions begin.

1. Where can I get a wacom?
2. What kind should I get? I've heard of Intuos and graphite. Any other types/brands that I should know about?
3. What size? I've read some threads that says "Buy an a5 for starters," the problem is that I'll probably not buy a new one in the next 10 years

4. Can you link me to some tutorials on how to use them and so on? =)
5. What program is best? I know about photoshop though I've read that "open canvas" should be better when drawing with a wacom.
(6. Why did god create mosquitos?)

**drummingpariah** · May 31st, 2007, 03:44 PM

1. ebay is a good place to start, if you don't plan to buy new
2. check wacom's official site for the differences between them all. basically, if you have better than 256 levels of sensitivity, you're good.
3. size? The bigger the better. 4x6 is a common starting point.
4. tutorials... hmmm.... depends on the program you're using. there is a LOT of information out there, but the best thing you can do for yourself is start using one. Only then will you understand just how great of a tool they are
5. best program... another tough-to-answer question. You'll find people swearing up and down the Photoshop CS3 is the only way to go. You'll find people like me who tout open-source software, like the GIMP.
6. to balance the universe. you can't have chocolate without an equivalent evil.

From personal experience, I can say that getting a tablet can be a huge pain. I was on a very strict budget and wanted the best size for the money. I found an ArtZ II on ebay for $75. It is 12" x 12" and uses the older rs-422 serial connector, and has no drivers for Windows.
Luckily, I use the friendly Ubuntu Linux(and am now considering UbuntuStudio, which is specifically geared toward art studios), which DOES have drivers for the ArtZ II, and all I had to do was buy a $30 adapter to go from rs-422 to USB, then set that up in Linux. It took me much longer than it should have to get it running, but now that I know what to do I could walk anyone through it and most likely have everything set up within 20 minutes.

So, spending ~$100 got me a great 12" x 12" tablet that I just started using last night and have had pretty good results (check my sketchbook for what I did late last night). Hope this helps, at least a little!

**Abee** · June 3rd, 2007, 02:25 PM

probably getting smthn' like an a4 intuos =)
mm, I'm probably going to... yeah... buy psd cs3.

Also looking out for that "opencanvas" that's a free download.

I'll update on some sketches soon, I'm drawing like mad in my ordinary paper sketchbooks, so that I can practice alot of colouring when "my precious" drops by in my mailbox =)

**Penabled** · June 3rd, 2007, 05:14 PM

I recommend the Intuos model regardless of size...though bigger is better, at least with an Intuos you will have the pen tilt and higher pressure sensitivity. The Graphire tablets do not have tilt detection and half the pressure sensitivity.

Oh and here is a link to the Open Canvas forums with the download link for the version with networking ability. http://opencanvas.informe.com/get-oc...here-dt16.html

**Mendics** · June 4th, 2007, 04:32 PM

ouch gotta have to admit its expensive... but its worth it i guess..

**Nibinaear** · June 5th, 2007, 10:34 AM

Maybe I'm the only one, but I've had a tablet for ages and I find it a real pain in the ass! All the sketches I produce are nothing compared to any pencil ones I've done, plus you keep looking down at your..blank piece of plastic, it's weird! I also find that you can't find where your cursor is in photoshop, which is only way of finding where you need to draw next.

If anyone could help me to better use my tablet I'd really appreciate it, I'm getting nowhere at present.

**painedadj** · June 6th, 2007, 04:19 PM

I have only been usuing a tablet a little while, an unexpensive shitty trust tablet, I dont really understand how it can annoy you if you enjoy art you will enjoy drawing with a tablet I guess. Im not great with a tablet anyway and I suggest you use it even more and in time you will get better.

**danjw** · June 6th, 2007, 05:32 PM

Nibinaear- don't compare it to real pencil and paper, compare it to useing a regular mouse.

**drummingpariah** · June 6th, 2007, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by danjw

Nibinaear- don't compare it to real pencil and paper, compare it to useing a regular mouse.

exactly, most artists do their initial sketches using pencil/pen then scan them in and use the tablet for values/colours. I'm terrible with that, but I'm starting to get better.

**boost** · June 6th, 2007, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Abee

Hi! one of my biggest goals in life is to become a concept artist.
(That, plus killing all the mosquitos in the northern parts of sweden, but nevermind that.)

I'm used to drawing, sketching, painting irl, so I've decided to take it a bit further, I'm buying a wacom. And here's where my questions begin.

1. Where can I get a wacom?
2. What kind should I get? I've heard of Intuos and graphite. Any other types/brands that I should know about?
3. What size? I've read some threads that says "Buy an a5 for starters," the problem is that I'll probably not buy a new one in the next 10 years

4. Can you link me to some tutorials on how to use them and so on? =)
5. What program is best? I know about photoshop though I've read that "open canvas" should be better when drawing with a wacom.
(6. Why did god create mosquitos?)

I'm in the same situation as you, except one step ahead of you.
I bought a Wacom Intuos3 6x8 Tablet from Amazon.com for about $284.00(USD). I've had only great things from it and it is definitely worth it.
Currently, I'm only using Photoshop CS (I'm 16, with no job. I'm using my cousin's CS. It's going to take awhile before I can get Painter or Open Canvas)

Good luck!

AND I HATE MOSQUITOES!!!!!!!!

**artmessiah** · June 7th, 2007, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by painedadj

I have only been usuing a tablet a little while, an unexpensive shitty trust tablet, I dont really understand how it can annoy you if you enjoy art you will enjoy drawing with a tablet I guess. Im not great with a tablet anyway and I suggest you use it even more and in time you will get better.

Exactly. You do get better after just emersing youself with drawing with the tablet. I actually prefer it better than drawing on pen and paper cause your hand isn't in the way, you can make mistakes worry free, and you can experiment with a more carefree attitude. If you can draw well on traditional media, it will translate to digital - it just takes a bit of practice.

**Uziel** · June 7th, 2007, 03:57 AM

I have a wacom volito first gen.
it'll do the trick but I'll probably buy me an intuos soon.
it was the cheapest solution at the time.

I also find that you can't find where your cursor is in photoshop

-go to edit>preferences>Display&cursors>
painting cursor should be on brush size, other cursor on standard
otherwise try right click and adjust brush size to a larger one.
If you're using a 1pixel brush on a gigantic canvas you won't be able to see it
-Try to update your software

**Nibinaear** · June 8th, 2007, 01:51 PM

Thanks for that. By the way I didn't mean to but in on your topic Abee.

Drawing over a hand drawn sketch seems like the best option over wacoming the whole thing.

**Abee** · June 20th, 2007, 01:30 PM

thanks for the numerous answers guys, you guys got a bit carried away over to other topics though

But no worries, I'm buying and intuos, size: a4

And IMO, the pad should mostly be used for colouring and refining your drawing, sketching with an ordinary pen on paper is a "must know" for any serious artist, basics is everything

Thanks again guys! =)

**mystro** · June 21st, 2007, 02:31 AM

Hello Abee

the ablet did not do anything to really get me going until I bought the Cintiq21 it is truely natural in many of its work attributes. If you really want to ba a concept artist than study all the art forme from traditonal to digital. the lne is definitely blured bow and great art is beind done in all mediums. But if you want to make $$$ doing it, remember when iut comes to that there is only two types of artists working and non-working.

Mystro

**Abee** · July 14th, 2007, 03:40 AM

Thanks for the tips Mystro, going to order an intuos a4 tomorrow, I appreciate your tips, but the reason to why I'm buying a wacom is because I love drawing, painting, both traditional and new. My problem is that all my numerous sketches needs colouring, and the effect I'm after can't be achieved by anything other than a wacom.

And probably everything I'll create in the beginning will suck, but wtf! I have to learn

Abee