Is a pen display tablet worth the money?

[Ghost Soda]

I had gotten a Wacom intuos tablet back in 2003 and I've been using it on and off since. I'm not terrible but trying to draw with it takes long and is often frustrating due to lines having to be redrawn over and over and the art I make never seems to come out as good as the art I make on paper or on my 3DS.

Pen display tablets are looking like a godsend. I'm hoping that being able to look at what I'm drawing will make drawing accurate lines better. I'm used to drawing digital since I do it all the time on the Colors!3d app on the 3DS, I just can't get used to the hand-eye disconnect that comes with using the intuos. Since I'm aiming to go professional, I want to get something good, and the Wacom Cintiq 22HD looks good. Only we're (the fam) not exactly swimming in cash. I mean, if it's worth the price I'll save up and go for it but I don't want to pony up almost 2000$ unless I'm sure this is what I need.

So I'm asking anyone with experience with pen display tablets in general: Is switching to a pen display worth the money? Will it help with the hand-eye coordination problems I have? If so, which one(s) would you recommend?

**EDIT: Fixing the mistake in the title. **

 

[Mints]

I'm not a professional at all, but if you would like my experience;; the tablet would take some getting used to, the hand eye coordination is one step (varies from person to person), the use of pen/stylus toll takes some getting used to as well, and click commands.

Since display tablets allow you to draw on a screen pad directly, they cost more, but it's not necessarily a necessity. It's easier than using a mouse, and better in software with command compatibility like Photoshop or Painter.

It just depends on your own tastes. Hope I help <3

 

[Ghost Soda]

I'm not a professional at all, but if you would like my experience;; the tablet would take some getting used to, the hand eye coordination is one step (varies from person to person), the use of pen/stylus toll takes some getting used to as well, and click commands.

Since display tablets allow you to draw on a screen pad directly, they cost more, but it's not necessarily a necessity. It's easier than using a mouse, and better in software with command compatibility like Photoshop or Painter.

It just depends on your own tastes. Hope I help <3

I have 0 patience for any of that, tbh.

though i'm pretty sure i'll be getting a display tablet, i just need to find the right one.

 

[namiieco]

Yeah, I'm way to use to using Colours 3D.
I recommend doing a sketch on paper and using that as a guide. I fidn that Paint Tool SAI is the closest to Colours so you could buy it or download a crack version.

 

[rouma]

cheap cintiq alternative

It takes time to adapt to looking at the screen while drawing on a tablet, but it can be done.

Cintiqs are expensive, and for that reason, if you don't know whether or not you'll like to stay within digital art/get professional, don't spend the extra money.

That being said, I personally use a XP-Pen Artist 22E Pro ( https://www.xp-pen.com/product/63.html ) 22" monitor tablet after using an Intuos Pro for a long time. I would say that the switch has made a dramatic difference to my workflow, for the better. I can't see myself going back.

I noticed that the specs aren't actually half bad. It was a pretty small one but the pressure sensitivity for example is the same as my Wacom Pro . Wacom does indeed seem to have a monopoly on graphics tablets but for those looking for something else, XP-Pen may be a good choice .

 

[apharel]

It depends.

I used a Wacom Intuos 4 for like almost 10 years? And it still works. I've since upgraded to a Wacom Cintiq HD and it's nice! I don't have much time to draw anymore, but when I do want to draw it's kinda difficult sitting on a desk for extended periods of time because I do that a lot at work. I bought an iPad Pro during the summer with the new Apple Pencil and I really like how i can just lay on my bed/couch and draw.. or god-forbid draw in the bathroom. It feels a lot different from drawing on a display tablet though. Like there is virtually no lag (on Procreate) so it feels like you're drawing on paper. I'm still getting used to it though! I really hate how theres no gesture to flip canvases though. Thats the one thing I miss from drawing on my display tablet, but then again you can't flip canvases traditionally. xD

 

[Zura]

Would anyone have a suggestion for a cheapish tablet I can use to get the hang of digital art? I don't really need one that's real cheap and made for beginners because I don't really see myself as one. Atleast something that will cover most bases while not being overly expensive

Thanks!

 

[Oldcatlady]

Would anyone have a suggestion for a cheapish tablet I can use to get the hang of digital art? I don't really need one that's real cheap and made for beginners because I don't really see myself as one. Atleast something that will cover most bases while not being overly expensive

Thanks!

I'm using Huion H610 and it works pretty well. The pressure sensitivity is good, the drawing surface is big compared to wacom for the same price. I don't think they have the model I bought anymore but they have an upgraded version. I can't say for pen display tablets as the closest I've used is an ipad, but I think they are a lot more expensive than drawing tablets

 

[Zura]

I'm using Huion H610 and it works pretty well. The pressure sensitivity is good, the drawing surface is big compared to wacom for the same price. I don't think they have the model I bought anymore but they have an upgraded version. I can't say for pen display tablets as the closest I've used is an ipad, but I think they are a lot more expensive than drawing tablets

Thanks so much for the reply and that's exactly the price range I'm looking for! Would this one on amazon work just as well? I think it's an upgraded version or something. This is all very confusing xD

 

[Oldcatlady]

Thanks so much for the reply and that's exactly the price range I'm looking for! Would this one on amazon work just as well? I think it's an upgraded version or something. This is all very confusing xD

Yes that should be it ^^ It looks the same as the one I have but I think with higher pressure sensitivity. The only bad part is that they don’t have an eraser on the pen, but I use control Z most of the time to erase anyway so it’s not too bad

 

[Zura]

Yes that should be it ^^ It looks the same as the one I have but I think with higher pressure sensitivity. The only bad part is that they don’t have an eraser on the pen, but I use control Z most of the time to erase anyway so it’s not too bad

OMG thanks so much for the advice!! May I also ask what software you use?

 

[Oldcatlady]

OMG thanks so much for the advice!! May I also ask what software you use?

You’re welcome! I use paint tool sai

 

[pawpatrolbab]

For me at least, pen display is the best way to go. There's tons of great cheap alterantives out there to Wacom. Like the Huion tables (I think that's how you spell them). I used one of those for awhile before switching to an iPad. If you're looking for portability iPad is the best way to go

 

[Zura]

Lol I will never ever willingly buy an Apple product xD I think this screenless tablet will be fine