[kinj]

Hi, I've been looking at digital painting sites like these, and I have to say, the stuff you guys do is really neat. I myself want try it, but I have minimal drawing/artistic skills, but I'm pretty decent with computers and graphics design (like web stuff). I am thinking about purchasing a really low end Wacom tablet (probably the 4x5 graphire). Now I know it's only $100, but I am pressed for cash (17, no job) and I want to know if it's a worthwhile invesment. Did all of you guys start with regular drawing/painting and then move to digital? Or did you start out digitally? Does the hardware itself have a steep learning curve? I am decent at photoshop, but have never used other apps like Corel Painter. Is Painter hard to use? I'd just like to know what you guys think. Thanks.

[cheney]

My advise to you is to draw more on paper, because paper is cheap. Continue your design art to keep current with your digital skills, but make your investment into drawing an investment of time. After much practice your drawing skills should be adaptable to a tablet, so it won't be such a risk.
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[goldenavatar0]

Uh, yea, we broke open our wallets, bought a tablet, and then BAM we were full blown effin' art rock stars after that.

Seriously, you should be drawing without thinking of the tablet right now. At your level, a scanner would probably be a better investment then a tablet. I'd really suggest you use the forums search feature to get answers to your questions because it's been covered so many times we're probably just done with it.
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[Capt. Fred]

minimal drawing/artistic skills? hmm�

A tablet is just like a mouse, expect where you had a lump, you now have a stick and a slab.

It's an input device for your computer, to give you the control that you are used to when using similar tools like pencils, pens etc.

Frankly, I think I'm missing something.
Skills and Tools are 2 separate things.

[Driften]

well like you im a noob at this as well. Im 20 years old and preassed for cash. I did how ever was able to buy a older wacom tablet a 12x12 on ebay for $99. Still getting used to using it but I have to say its alot better then using a mouse. And even though it has some damage to the surface cover it can be fliped or cheeply replaced. Only real problem im having is getting used to the zero resistance. How ever I have a friend who has been using one for about 6 months now and says he can't get over ever drawing without one. If u have any other questions or anything contact be as listed below aim, yahoo so on

[jaaku]

this all sounds interesting but the main purpose i joined this forum is to find out what to use for my art im not the greates at art but im ok and i wanna stop having to use paint for my art which makes it hard.

notify me and tell me about what i should use please!
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yo how is u alls eh?lol sorry bout me other half bob. "bad bob!"
how can i go about making some nice art without a scanner?

[sweetums]

You've been told.
By your own admission, you are not the greatest at art. Going digital is NOT going to make you any better. It just doesn't take as much space, or smell, like real paint does.

If you aren't that great, stick with pencil and paper. THEN go to paint, or digital, or anything else. That's where the comment about Skill comes in.

If you want to spend about a thousand dollars anyway, get yourself the largest Wacom tablet you can afford (you might want to start with a refurbished one), and if you play with photographs, get Photoshop. If you like to create your own art that looks like paint, get Painter. If you want to try to learn vector illustration, get Expressions 3 (a free vector painting pgm bought by Microsoft, but cool to use) or Illustrator.

You'd be better off investing in a couple art classes and work on your skills first.
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