A question for Artists

During my time here on the forum, I have seen many grand pieces of Art, of very good quality. Some of which are featured on my profile page. I would love to get back into drawing, but long passed are the days of pencil and paper. Now everyone seems to use drawing tablets, or that's what i'm assuming. When I draw a picture using pencil and paper and then scan it to my computer it comes out faded and not looking very nice.

So my question is this.

What are the tools that these great artists on the forum use to create there magnificent pieces of Art. Do you use drawing tablets or something else? What programs do they use? Could a Ipad be used in place of a drawing tablet to the same quality of results? And what or where is the cheapest way to acquire all these required tools? 

Thanks for your time. Regards

Kingdanner.

I'm not an artist,but I try.I draw using the good ol' pencil.If you want to have nightmares,I'll send you my drawings by PM.

@Ultim: Doooo Eeeeet  :popcorn:

Okay.Nightmares,Incoming after ? Minutes

Started with a pencil on lined paper, now I buy sketchbooks from The Pink Pig and use letraset tria markers. That's just for doodling though, I don't think I've ever done a full illustration by hand. Everything that's something I wanna get perfect I do digitally using Paint Tool SAI and a Wacom Bamboo Pen.

Hey KingDanner, I can make some recommendations.

I'll start with the payed/ what I use- I got a Wacom Bamboo tablet about 5 or 6 years ago for 80 USD that came with Photoshop Elements 6 and Corel Painter, though my corel was corrupted. My photoshop is old, but works really well. I believe a lot of drawing tablets come with a free software in a kind of bundle. Also got a drawing software from steam once as a gift from a friend. It Open Canvas.

As for using a ipad I am not sure since I use an Andriod tablet Nexus 7, but the Sketch Book series is really good. It is possible to use it as a tablet with the app Splash Top and computer software by the same name, its normally used to let people put their computer screens on their tablet. I've tried this and it works, however there is a slight bit of lag making it hard to draw and it is a bit difficult to use. 

Free drawing software, Sai Tool, Gimp, Paint, 

Aah, so Wacom Bamboo Tablet is the one to go for then. There is one on EBay used for about 30USD.

Many Thanks

Great, If you ever have questions about using it let me know.

But good luck ^-^ and I look forward to seeing your art. 

You can get pretty decent art with a mouse, too. I used a mouse exclusively for a few years before I got a Wacom tablet, and it still gave decent results. Some things are much faster and easier with a tablet, but the tool you use is much less important than the time you put into practicing. :)

I will take you up on that offer animesock as I'm certain I'll have plenty of questions on my quest to become a great artist :)

I use my Wacom tablet and Sketchbook Pro for my digital art, and they haven't let me down yet. For traditional art I prefer to use charcoal (I'm not too picky about paper).

Wow, everyone seems to use the same Tablet. I guess it's safe to use that one then. :D

Probably buy one next pay-day.

I use the fiery passion that burns in my heart and the power of friendship and love!!


Or... an Intuos5 Large and Paint Tool Sai/Adobe Photoshop CS3. Something like that. (but I started out with a lame no-name one and then a Graphire3 which is basically the Bamboo of the good ol' days)


Really though, what Luna says is the best advice. What tools you use matters little in terms of skill (can matter a lot for convenience and speed mind you), it's all about practice. Draw, draw, draw, draw, draw, and draw some more! Break out that fiery passion I mentioned earlier.


Best of luck! I look forward to your results. (your icon is very cute btw)

I know you've been trying Danner. Don't give up! Start drawing on anything you can! Pencil and white paper are fine options until you're able to get your tablet. Don't rob the world of your talent!

remember this: It's not the artist's tools that make the artist, it's his SKILLS that make the artist.