Easiest Way to Get Started With Digital Drawing!

What's a Pen Tablet?

In simple terms, it will be your third arm; your go-to solution for getting your art to show up on screen. Ok, it's really just like your pencil.

And your pen. And your brush. And your marker.

With digital art, any shape of brush and its physical effect can be simulated, beyond what's possible with the canvas.

Here's how you start creating your own magical digital art!

What you need

First off, if you're just getting started, you really don't need a $1300 Cintiq or even an $800 iPad Pro. If you have one, start use it properly! You don't need me to tell you how.

If you don't know what a Cintiq is, bear with me.

That's a Pen Tablet

 

You know you plug it into your computer and it's got a little stylus you can use to write on it with?

If this is your first tablet, an Intuos or Bamboo could be a great entry-level tablet. Later you can consider the Cintiq tablet PC.

But come on, I've been drawing digitally for five years and I don't have one--well really fifteen years (those sweet times with Microsoft Paint.)

Less than $200 is a good place to start.

Got it. So how does it work?

 

You see computers speak in binary 1s and 0s and..

No way.

You plug it in! That's it.

It really acts as your mouse cursor input.

You draw, it moves on screen. 

 

Software 

Microsoft Paint? Not a chance.

If you want to try out the two more popular choices Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter, go ahead and download a free 30-day trial version from their websites.

Remember, when the trials expire change your computer calendar date to when you first downloaded the software. It resets the trial-I mean your clock.

I didn't tell you that. Just something I saw once in a YouTube video.

And more relevantly, there are many YouTube beginner five-minute Photoshop tutorials that will give you the rundown for those that find it daunting.

As long as your don't revert to Microsoft paint. Just don't go that low.

Laptop, Tablet, Desktop?

I personally use a Wacom Bamboo and Corel Painter on my MacBook Air.

I think drawing on a laptop is more flexible as you can take your setup on-the-go. Like any tablet, these pen tablets are thin and light, so you can always draw anywhere.

Although a desktop computer is arguably more powerful and many freelance artists work on their desks.

Many do take their work on the go with their tablets and then refine their projects on their desktops when they get back to their, you know, desks.

A laptop is really just a hybrid between the two.

I would just start off with whatever primary computer you use and upgrade the gear as needed.  

Needed.

 

Can't I use my phone?

If you can work on a 5" screen, feel free to use your Galaxy Note.

For those of us who are nearsighted, it's probably better though to use an iPad and a stylus (not that Apple one for $100) or your galaxy tab, if you're an android kind.

If it's rectangle and has a screen, you can use it.

Where to Share!

Show off anywhere from Facebook to Deviant Art--that's the digital art hub.

Or post it below!