Drawing Tablets
Drawing Tablets: You will find in this day and time, that to be an artist, you will also go towards computer technology. Doesn't everyone these days..... So I decided to get myself a drawing tablet, didn't know a thing about them, so I went on the search and all the information that was presented to As a budding artist or a professional artist, you may have noticed how things have changed with computers, and how they have found their way into the art field as well. I guess it all started when the digital camera came out, and software to change and improve our photos. This was great and is one of the best things as far as I am concerned. When you need to take photos of your taken art work. And am able to change your photos on your computer to suit your own needs. Now we don't have to use professional printers so much these days. I bet the printers are not happy about that.... Anyway, with this sort of computer technology, I guess it wouldn't be long before software in the form of a drawing tablet would be invented.
So what is a graphics tablet? Also referred to as a digitizing tablet, graphics pad, or drawing tablet, phew..... You could say its an alternative type of drawing pad. Yep..... straight to your friendly computer. What you draw is what you get, straight onto your computer screen. Though I must say its all a little daunting when you are drawing on the tablet, and seeing your efforts come up on a completely different surface screen. It takes time to master these skills, though you do get used to it. I use my graphics tablet mainly for touching up photos and getting my photos of my work ready for brochures etc..... There's so many uses for these drawing tablets. A Wacom Intuos3 graphics tablet. 
I'm starting to use my tablet for drawing, though its not easy, I find that you cant get some of the lines straight, better to use fast sweeping strokes. Though I have drawn some of my art work for you on this site with it so far. Might take longer than the traditional way, though just takes practice I guess, and allot of it! So let's explore some of the common features of these drawing tablets...
Drawing Tablet SizeSize is one of the first factors you'll need to consider in choosing a tablet, I was a bit baffled on which size would be right for me. I know we all might look at the bigger sizes of drawing tablets. I know I did..... But I wanted to do my homework firstly...... so bigger is not necessarily better. You can do allot on a smaller tablet. If your a home user or hobbyist, the most common sizes are 4" by 5" and 6" by 8". I eventually went for the 6" by 8". Not that I didn't look towards the bigger size when I made my ultimate decision in the shop. But the price escalates as the size increases. Remember, the larger your tablet surface is, the more you will need to move your arms. Many people prefer a smaller tablet to minimize arm motion, and if you have a small surface space beside your computer. Its probably better to go for the smaller size. Another thing to remember is that dimensions of the tablet is almost always referred to the input surface of the tablet. The actual foot-print of the overall tablet can be as much as 4 to 5 inches larger to the area of the tablet size. Until recently, the popular sizes of drawing tablets have been 4x5, 6x8, and 9x12 which matches up neatly to the 4:3 aspect ratio of traditional computer monitors Currently, Wacom and Aiptek are the only manufacturers I know that are producing wide-format drawing tablets.
Pen/Stylus and AccessoriesYour tablet should come with a pen that feels comfortable and natural in your hand. Find out if the stylus requires a battery. A battery will not only require occasional replacement, but it will make the pen heavier, too. The pen may be tethered or free. My tablet pen does not have batteries nor is it tethered - and I find it great to work with. You just have to know where you place it... don't want to loose it do you... I worked this problem out from the start, I always put it back on the holder on the tablet itself. So I don't end up searching under sofas and papers looking for it. Haven't lost it yet! Also if you turn your pen over, it then becomes an eraser. How good is that!
Pressure-sensitivityDepending on how much pressure you put on the surface of you tablet. You can control line thickness, transparency, and/or color. The higher the pressure-sensitivity, the more responsive and natural your tablet will feel and the more control you will have. Now that's if you go for the more expensive model. I didn't go for this one, as the price jumped up quite dramatically, and being my first tablet. I wanted to get to know how to use it, and if it was beneficial to my work. So I went for the cheaper model to start off with. Not that you don't still get pressure sensitivity through your chosen brushes that you choose on your given software, Just not through the pen itself. And I am also told if you lean the pen to the side - the thicker the line will become. This sort of tablet might jump up in price, though if you are planning to do allot of drawing. Its probably the best bet.
Bundled SoftwareBundled software can add a lot of value to your tablet purchase. Most tablets come with some sort of painting program, mine came with Corel Painter Essentials, which is probably the most commonly bundled software with the drawing tablets.
My Wacom 
A Wacom Graphire4 graphics tablet I went for a Wacom, which has a transparent overlay, where you can place a picture underneath it to use the picture as a guide. Being a 6x8, I find it does what I need it to do. It might take a bit of time to get used to, like any software really...... Wacom is one of the most well known of these drawing tablets, And even though I decided to go with the more known brand, I not saying that its better than its counterparts. And I also found that that shops didn't stock many brands. So I'm happy with my wacom, and if I upgrade in the future ill probably go with this the Wacom again. After all they do have a fine reputation.
Different Graphics Brands Wacom is the most well-known tablet manufacturer, and they are well deserving of their fine reputation. They make graphics tablets for both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. Here are the others: As you need to now about them as well. And I have chatted on about my Wacom, so I think you know enough about this brand already.
Drawing Tablet pricesGraphics tablets can be quite expensive, with most of them in the hundreds of dollars range. Prices are coming down, however, as more manufacturers are offering tablets aimed at the home user. These tablets are generally priced around for me Aus$375.00 or less, I went for the Aus $275.00, I think, about that..... . You could look online, though as long as you have a guarantee to send it back if it doesn't work properly. As you will find, the more expensive the more features. Whats different.... You need to decide if you need to go top of the field, or middle of the range. Which ever brand you go for I'm sure you will find that its a welcome addition to your art needs. Though I went for a long time before I eventually go one. You don't have to go and rush out and buy one. Take your time, and when it feels right for you.. I spent quite a while just using my mouse for editing my photos and got quite good at it. Though the freedom with the graphics tablet made things a while lot easier, and efficient. I wouldn't be without one now.
I've tracked down some Writing Tablets for you. Have a look, there are some good prices here.
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