| Reno Bay | 10-18-2012 07:47 AM | I've had four tablets, two of which were Wacom brand. My Wacoms were the Bamboo Fun and currently the Bamboo Fun Pen and Touch. Wacom tends to have issues with the computer not recognizing that the tablet is plugged in (something wrong with the tablet's USB cable). Unfortunately, that can't be fixed but it can be somewhat prevented if you store your tablet properly and not futz around with the cable a lot. I've also noticed that the pen nib wears down really quickly...or that may just be me since I draw endlessly and even revert to using my tablet instead of my laptop's touch pad. I'm looking into Wacom Intuos or a Cintiq (12WX or 22HD) when I can save up for one.
I also used an Intuos in my computer graphics class in college (I discontinued that venue because I was still figuring out what I wanted to focus my major in and I already knew so much that I could have taught the class better than the professor...and I was 19 at the time).
A lot of "tablet newbies" are under the false impression that using a tablet is just like drawing on paper, except you're work shows directly on the computer. It can actually take a long time to get used to, especially if you're using a tablet with pressure sensitivity. Even then, your drawing style will never really be the same from paper to tablet. I would also suggest often drawing on paper like you used to because I used tablets for so long my paper-drawing talent severely deteriorated.
Many people are also under the impression that using a tablet somehow makes your art look better. Nothing can be farther from the truth. It takes a lot of practice to even make something half-decent, especially when you're first starting out. Great art will never come easy. It will always take time and practice. I always get annoyed whenever someone goes "OMG you drew that on a tablet?!" like it's extremely difficult, when anybody can do it with enough practice. It also annoys me when people practically worship artists who use tablets. We're just like every other artist - pen, watercolor, charcoal - it doesn't matter. None of us are above anybody else and tablet-users are nothing to "ooh" and "aah" about. |