{"id":12801,"date":"2023-09-05T14:11:33","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T18:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/?p=12801"},"modified":"2023-09-05T14:14:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T18:14:15","slug":"drawing-tablets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2023\/09\/drawing-tablets\/","title":{"rendered":"Drawing tablets"},"content":{"rendered":"

A reader asked if I use a drawing tablet. Before I answer that question, let’s talk about what a drawing table is for those who might not be familiar with the technology. There are three types of technology collectively referred to as drawing tablets<\/em>. For each type, the artist uses the supplied pen to create a drawing on some software running on a computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple tablet<\/strong> is a screenless tablet with a textured surface that is similar to drawing paper. You connect the tablet to software running on a computer. As with all tablet types, the sensitivity of the pen and tablet surface is critical. Artists have to learn to coordinate hand actions with the results on the screen, similar to using a mouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>In the Studio Oct. 14 2012<\/span><\/a><\/div>

A drawing display<\/strong> is a tablet with a screen. This tablet this also connected to a computer. Think of it as a separate monitor designed for drawing. Artists use the pen directly on the tablet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A standalone tablet<\/strong> is a tablet with a screen and built-in computer. Like the drawing display, artists draw directly on the tablet surface. Some artists use an iPad for this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>In the Studio—10\/28\/12<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Pricewise, simple tablets are the cheapest option while standalone tablets are the most expensive. Professional designers are found using all three types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I looked at this technology several years ago, I found it lacking for my use case. But I recently revisited this technology and was surprised by how much progress has been made. There are a lot of options for ‘fine’ artists–not just designers and cartoonists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>Hurricane Sandy<\/span><\/a><\/div>

So, to answer the reader’s question, I have a tablet that I sometimes use. I use my tablet for studies and sketches but have no plans to use them in my paintings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After trying all three types, I settled on a simple tablet by Wacom<\/a>. The tablet’s surface is excellent and the size is right. There are good software options for artists. I like Krita<\/a>, Adobe Fresco, and Rebelle<\/a>. I like the latter so much I bought a copy. These apps work seamlessly with my tablet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>Thumbs-up: van Ruisdael; Thumbs-down: Renoir<\/span><\/a><\/div>

I can see why illustrators and designers use this technology. If, like me, your tablet is connected to a beefy computer and graphics card, the drawing experience is very lifelike. Add in the ability to quickly do takeoffs and versions, I can see how this technology is winning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This simple sketch is an example of the kind of work I produce with my tablet. It doesn’t look computer-created (I hope). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A reader asked if I use a drawing tablet. Before I answer that question, let’s talk about what a drawing table is for those who might not be familiar with the technology. There are three types of technology collectively referred to as drawing tablets. For each type, the artist uses the supplied pen to create […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":12810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[170,208,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","category-materials","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/wacom0.jpg?fit=1000%2C615&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13202,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2023\/12\/drawing-on-canvas-board\/","url_meta":{"origin":12801,"position":0},"title":"Drawing on canvas board","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"December 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Whenever I have time, I prepare new canvases, consequently, I have a large stock of canvases and boards for painting. I prepare canvas boards by sanding the supplied surface and applying additional layers. I like smooth surfaces for painting and find that my canvas boards serve well for drawing. These\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "art boards"","block_context":{"text":"art boards","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/art-boards\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/drawing-on-board1.jpg?fit=878%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/drawing-on-board1.jpg?fit=878%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/drawing-on-board1.jpg?fit=878%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/drawing-on-board1.jpg?fit=878%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5536,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2015\/10\/transferring-designs-to-canvas-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":12801,"position":1},"title":"Transferring designs to canvas–update","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"October 18, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I've written before\u00a0about the various methods used to\u00a0transfer designs to canvas or other surfaces. There are three ways to do it: projector, grid, or\u00a0cartoon. Typically, I use\u00a0grids. Grids can handle any scale and I like working out final design elements on the canvas grid before picking up the brush. I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "materials"","block_context":{"text":"materials","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/materials\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/2-women-PHS.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/2-women-PHS.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/2-women-PHS.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4382,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2014\/11\/another-birthday\/","url_meta":{"origin":12801,"position":2},"title":"Another birthday","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"November 18, 2014","format":"status","excerpt":"For my birthday, I upgraded my phone to the Galaxy Note 4. And, because it was my birthday, I upgraded my son Keith's phone to an iPhone 6. Keith is an Apple fan; me, I like Android. I love the Note 4. Its large format accommodates my fumble fingers. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Bio"","block_context":{"text":"Bio","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/bio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14147,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2026\/02\/turpentine-diaries-2-4-26-drawing\/","url_meta":{"origin":12801,"position":3},"title":"Turpentine diaries 2\/4\/26 drawing","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"February 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"What have I been up to lately? Drawing. I've spent the last three days drawing. The shift from painting started when I began preparing drawings for a large (5' x 6') painting. Today, I'm drawing just for drawing; drawings that are not studies for painting. 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This paper is new to me and I tried different mediums some of which,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drawings"","block_context":{"text":"Drawings","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/drawings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3-sisters.jpg?fit=1008%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3-sisters.jpg?fit=1008%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3-sisters.jpg?fit=1008%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3-sisters.jpg?fit=1008%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Gw6F-3kt","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12801"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12813,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12801\/revisions\/12813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}