Congratulations: You’re going to art school! Or maybe your child is, or your partner, or perhaps you’ve just taken the bold move of enrolling in your first digital art class. Whatever it is, it’s awesome, and now it’s time to figure out which tools for art students you’ll need. Digital artists, photographers, and animators can really benefit from using dedicated digital art tools. Unlike other tech-based jobs, like writing or coding, it’s tough for an artist to get by with just a keyboard and a mouse (or trackpad). The precision you can get from items like styluses and drawing tablets is unparalleled by older forms of technology.
Tools for art students: Two types of tablets
If you’re new to digital art, it might surprise you to find out that there are actually three types of tablets. (We’ll discuss the most common two first, then get into the specialized version.) First, there are the touch-screen display tablets that work like powerful smartphones. Some of examples of these are the iPad, the Surface, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. These tablets are multi-use. They’re great for people who are starting their digital art or graphics careers, but they have limited processing power.
Then, there’s the drawing tablet, which has been around in some form or another since 1957. The first graphic tablets were designed only to recognize handwriting; today, they can create digital renderings of everything from handwriting to full-scale digital paintings. For most students, an iPad or iPad-style tablet is the best option. They’re a simple solution for students use for art and academic classes, and they’re easy to transport. They can be used solo, without a ton of accessories or a separate computer, which makes them easy to take to class.
However, for students in the fine arts, graphic tablets are tools that are not to be underestimated. The graphic tablet market is dominated by Wacom, who make passive tablets—AKA tablets with non-electronic styluses—at price points for both students and professionals. Many of their products offer detailed pressure sensitivity and a paper-like feel. Their more professional designs feature even more pressure levels, as well as options like pen tilt and increased sensitivity.
Professional-grade drawing tablets: Pen displays
For fine art students who take their art very seriously, a lower-end tablet might not cut it. If you’re planning to create vast artworks, or extremely intricate animations, you may need something more powerful. Many students who sell their artwork on the side will opt for this style of tablet, perhaps to hone their skills to get ready for an internship or perhaps to create professional works that they can sell online to help pay for their degree. In cases like these, I recommend opting for a pen display: a touchscreen drawing tablet with a high-quality digital display.
If you’re ready and able to take the plunge, a drawing tablet with a touch screen will allow you to work directly on your image, video, animation, etc. You won’t lose track of your pixels as they translate from a tablet under your hand to the screen in front of you. Expect a smooth user experience for high-end tablets, which are optimized for 3D animation, and a precise but laggier experience with your budget buys.
Once upon a time, this style of tablet was the only option for digital artists who wanted to work directly on their screen. However, that’s no longer the case. For many artists, the iPad Pro works just as well or better than other tablets. The Pro can be used for both drawing and animation, and it isn’t limited to tablet functionality (unlike earlier iPad designs)—you can hook it up to your more powerful computer to use it as a pen display.
Styluses and other tools for art students
For most students, a basic graphics tablet or a smartphone-style tablet is more than capable of getting the job done. It’s tough to create a masterpiece using just your stubby fingers, though, so a stylus is a must! (I mean, have you ever tried to draw a freehand straight line with your finger on an iPad? I’m convinced that it simply cannot be done.) A simple stylus makes using a tablet easier for anyone. Even for basic applications, getting in the habit of using a stylus instead of your finger can keep your motions precise and your dexterity high.
But for art and other detailed work, styluses really are essential. They introduce something to your tablet that your finger can’t offer: pressure and angle sensitivity. With a basic stylus, you gain the benefit of a super fine point. With an art stylus, however, you get a lot more. Many styluses feature thousands of points of pressure sensitivity, angle awareness, and textured tips. These features allow you to get more out of your stylus than a mouse, unlocking the ability to create realistic-looking calligraphy, brushwork, shading, and more. When your tablet knows how hard you’re pressing and the angle of your brush, it can create a lifelike drag and opacity for each stroke.
Make sure to find out if your stylus is battery-powered before purchasing. Some, like many of the ones used with drawing tablets, are not electronic. Others, like the Apple Pencil or Microsoft Surface Pen, need to be recharged.
Set up your art tablet
Finally, one last tool to consider for your burgeoning artist or art career is a great tablet mounting system. Crouching over a tablet can cause eye and back strain, especially when it’s flat on your desk, but a mount is an easy way to essentially set your tablet up like a sketchbook on an easel. Consider mounting your tablet, buying a small angled stand for it, or investing in a sit-stand desk to help manage the long hours of art school or a career in the digital arts.
A tablet mount probably won’t be going to art class with you, of course, but, well: Artists rarely haul around their easels, either! That doesn’t mean they aren’t still an essential part of an atelier.
Shop tablets and drawing tablets at Best Buy today.
iPad Pro would be awesome
an art stylus would be perfect for my needs
A stylus would work best for my drawing needs as my fingers are just too big and clumsy for the intricate detailed work I want to do.
Microsoft Surface looks great!
The tablet mounting system would help make it easier to work from different angles, and help no matter what tablet I’m using.
A stylus for pressure and angle sensitivity which offers more control as the artist.
Tablette de style wacom serait l’idéal pour les dessins de manga de mon garçon.
The pen display would be the best option as they are optimized for 3d animation.
I’d like a graphics tablet made by Wacom for the paper-like feel
A stylus for pressure and angle sensitivity which offers more control as the artist.
A graphic tablet like those made by Wacom would be best for me. I think I need the detailed pressure sensitivity and paper-like feel. I’ve tried ‘painting’ on my regular tablet and touchscreen laptop and neither feels quite right. Its like practicing putting on a hardwood floor or running across a skating rink in dress shoes.
A stylus for pressure and angle sensitivity which offers more control as the artist.
The versatility of the iPad Pro makes it a top contender as a drawing tablet. A pen display is necessity when drawing with a lot of detail and accuracy.
An ipad pro would be my choice. I really don’t need all the bells and whistles it offers, BUT I would have a lot of fun learning how to utilize them and exploring something new is the best way to find more of the things you love.
I think the IPad Pro is the best because it is very portable and powerful.
I think the IPad Pro would be the best for drawing since it’s super multifunctional.
Ipad pro, so multifunctional
IPad Pro would be awesome to use it on the go
A Windows Surface, to help me carry my work around
A Windows Surface, to help me carry my work around
Bonsoir, le ‘pen-display’ est assurément le meilleur choix pour ma belle artiste. Puisque la qualité est idéal pour ses dessins et qu’elle sera en mesure de mettre sur papier tout ce dont elle a dans la tête. Cela comblera son coté perfectionniste par le fait même. Merci pour le beau concours.
A pen display would suit me best since the display would be help me learn more quickly.
A tablet mounting system is a must for my well being.
I think the stylus and battery-powered like they said would be the best tool for working with this Wacom One Creative Pen Display and with the ” Samsung Galaxy Tab.” Amazing giveaway. Thanks!
An iPad pro would be best for me because it’s great for art but also I could listen to whatever I want in the background while I draw.
iPad Pro I can use it for both drawing and animation
Graphic drawing tablets like those made by Wacom fit my needs perfectly because they have features that simulate real-life interactions with pen/brush/pencil and paper (eg. varying degrees of pressure)
A pen display would suit me best since the display would be help me learn more quickly. Having it only dedicated for drawing would help me focus better compared to an ipad.
Ipad pro, parfait pour mes oeuvres
Ipad pro, perfect for work and art
IPad Pro would be awesome to use it on the go
The Anti-Skid Black Artist Lycra Fabric Glove would help with the Pen Display while I am touching up my photos.
A pen display would work best for my needs. I need to work on the PC, and having a pen display would make creating art the easiest.
I Pad Pro parce que vous pouvez aussi l’utiliser pour beaucoup d’autres choses, ce qui serait plus utile pour moi,
Merci pour le concours.
I believe a Pen displays will be better for a art student like me for it versatility and the quality you can produce with it.
I believe an iPad Pro would be better for me for its versatility.
I’ve used the other type when I was younger, but believe a pen display would really be the best possible experience for creating digital art. Having the ability to directly interface with what you see via pen beats out that separation of screen and tablet seen in drawing tablets.
Wow !!!
Elle aiderait bien les devoirs de mes enfants.
Merci
A Windows Surface, to help me carry my work around
I would love a display tablet for my digital art, if I can move around with it it would be amazing too !
IPad Pro would be awesome to use it on the go
J’aime beaucoup les tablettes de type E-ink pour annoter les pdf et prendre des notes. Elle me créer moins de distractions dans le cadre de mon travail
IPad Pro because of it’s versatility
I Pad Pro because you can use it for many other things as well
A touch screen display because it would be easy for my daughter to use
I love the idea of using an ipad pro for digit art – because you can also use it for other things
I think a touch-screen display tablet like an iPad or Surface would best suit my needs as I am an amateur drawer and these would have other platforms on them to help me learn.
An iPad Pro would be best for me because I teach Math online and the iPad is very versatile and portable so I can take it with me when I travel.
An art stylus would best suit my drawing needs as it would bring more precision and accuracy to my drawing skills!
I would love to work with a pen display because it would be so creative.
Im a 3D artist and this would really Help me get there with my art! The Wacom Cintiq 22 Creative Pen Display 18.7″x10.5″ Graphic Tablet with Pro Pen 2 Stylus Wow !
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