My first drawings, most likely, like most, were created on paper with a simple pencil. At that time, I did not have a computer, and from digital devices I only had a smartphone running on the Google operating system Android. Its sketching was not impressive even after I tried the dedicated stylus.
A couple of years ago I decided to build my own computer. Naturally, I turned to YouTube for help. And, as sometimes happens, he started looking about one thing, and ended up with a video about how the guy draws coolly on a graphics tablet.
After that, I hatched the idea of buying such a device, knowing that there are more possibilities for creating drawings on a computer.
After assembling the necessary components, I included a graphics tablet in the shopping list. Fortunately, its price was low compared to the total price of a PC.
Painting devices
First of all, I will highlight the main advantage of using graphic tablets (or digitizers) – the lack of paint. Probably, everyone had the idea of how uncomfortable it is with her: paint in the workplace, dirty hands, random bloopers.
I can single out only XP-Pen Star 06C from graphic tablets. In terms of its characteristics, it surpasses its counterparts from Wacom in terms of price / performance ratio. In my opinion, its main features are:
- High resolution 5080 lpi
- High pressure sensitivity at 8192 levels
- Large working area 254 x 152 mm
Considering the characteristics, it is not particularly expensive in relation to today's realities. It is convenient to use, has a scroll wheel and 3 pairs of buttons. With the Pen Tablet application, you can customize the tablet configuration, for example, assign different combinations of buttons to the buttons, adjust the pen sensitivity, etc.
PC drawing programs
The most popular drawing programs, in my opinion, are Paint Tool SAI and Adobe Photoshop .
Paint Tool SAI
The program was developed by the Japanese company SYSTEMAX.
'You don't have to be born with an artistic talent to create masterpieces.'
This is such a loud slogan sounds on the official website of the program.
It combines the capabilities of professional image editors with speed and simplicity. By the way, the interface is translated into Russian.
The advantage is support for graphic tablets, which allow you to more accurately and efficiently draw objects. Easy Paint Tool SAI 'understands' all modern file types, so the user does not have to do a preliminary conversion. Separately, it should be noted that the program allows you to create PSD files for subsequent processing in a professional graphics editor Adobe Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop
This editor has incredible features. I think that even a person far from art will not argue with this.
Adobe Photoshop includes several ready-made working environments:
- Main working environment
- 3D
- Graphics and internet
- Traffic
- Drawing
- The photo
A beginner in this program can easily 'get lost' due to the abundance of settings. By the way, most of them are not used by professionals either.
On the other hand, the powerful capabilities of this program can become a good ally for a user who is already well versed in Photoshop-like applications. Said as 'captain'?
Photoshop is easy to use brushes that render pencils, pens, nibs, markers and other artistic tools realistically, including over 1,000 brushes from renowned illustrator Kyle T. Webster.
Incredibly convenient functions have appeared in the latest updates of the program:
– Symmetry mode. It allows you to define axes and select styles such as circular, radial, spiral or 'mandala'. This is easier on a graphics tablet than with a mouse.
– Working with frames. You can create frames from shapes or text to use as placeholders on the canvas.
– New 'Content-Aware Fill' interface. Tool for the artist: a dedicated work environment that allows you to accurately select pixels for fills. Helps with detailed drawing of small objects.
Another handy feature was the 'multiple undo' feature. You can now use the keyboard shortcuts 'Control + Z' (Win) / 'Command + Z' (Mac) to undo multiple actions in a Photoshop document. Let me remind you that in previous releases you had to go into the settings and manually delete actions. For the artist, this function has become more convenient than ever.
Naturally, all the possibilities of the cult program cannot be described here.
Drawing programs on Android
I give an example of programs that work even without a stylus or graphics tablet. But the latter two are certainly more fun.
- ibis Paint X
- Autodesk SketchBook
- Infinite painter
Ibis Paint X
One of the most popular “drawing tools” on Android, since it has the ability to work with layers (up to 27 pieces!), It contains more than 1000 fonts, about 300 types of brushes (pen, brush, pencil, oil paint , charcoal, pencil, stamp and so on) and 50 different filters.
Unfortunately, the program is not easy to learn, the interface does not always give positive emotions. Although the Ibis website says the opposite: here's a real experience for you. And to use most brushes, you'll have to watch ads. Well, or you still have to buy the program.
Autodesk SketchBook
The program from the world's largest software provider for industrial and civil engineering, mechanical engineering, media and entertainment markets. I think many people immediately remember Autodesk AutoCAD.
It's nice that the fully functional version of SketchBook has become free for all users since some time.
In my opinion, this program deserves the attention of every aspiring digital artist who does not have a graphics tablet:
- Very simple interface
- Rich possibilities: brushes, fonts, etc.
- Working with constrained meshes
- Working with curves
I don't use products Apple, but I heard that the new version has support for the second generation Pencil.
Infinite painter
See how the program shows itself in a peculiar way on the official website:
'This is not Sketchbook.
This is not Photoshop.
This is not Procreate.
It's Infinite painter . '
The main advantage of this editor, like Autodesk SketchBook, is a wide selection of brushes with different textures and prints (more than 160 natural presets for brushes).
A significant advantage is a convenient, minimalistic and easy-to-learn interface. If we compare it with Autodesk, then the latter is drawn a little better.
As with the previous two applications, you can use a perspective grid. Despite all the advantages, the score on Google Play is 3.9 points. The app seems to be awesome, but why 3.9? The fact is that after downloading the application is available to the user only for a trial period. And then he demands money.
Conclusion
At the moment, all my works are created using the XP-Pen tablet: convenient, not bad in terms of specifications, inexpensive!
The programs for PC and for Google Android described above will first of all help you to realize yourself. They have their pros and cons, but skill and patience determine performance, not the price of a graphics tablet or other device. Examples of my work can be seen here https://www.instagram.com/nickquality/. Don't judge me strictly?
Examples of pictures:
Ibis Paint X
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.ne.ibis.ibispaintx.app&hl=ru
Autodesk SketchBook
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adsk.sketchbook
Infinite Painter
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakefield.painter&showAllReviews=true