Curious, Wacom

[AirCoaster]

Hi gang,

I was wondering your thoughts on using a pen tablet for texture creation, and PS CS4? The hype in the underground seems to be it's quite the tool for free-hand artwork.

[Tom Constantine]

I've always been intrigued by the tablet idea but never worked with one.

[sgtmajor]

John,

I purchased a Wacom tablet a couple of years ago and really like it. It seems to work better with some paint programs over others but it I'm very happy with it. However, I will say, it is far more advanced than what I actually need it for.

With the newest computer build I currently don't have it installed... however, I've thought about connecting it again. For someone like myself that just slops paint via a paint-kit, it really isn't practical, however, for a graphic artist.... I think you would be very pleased and would consider it money well spent as it really transforms your computer into a paint/design platform.

The only thing I wish I would have done differently...... I wish I would have purchased the largest sized tablet available. As I remember, there were three sizes and I purchased the middle size. I now wish I would have spent the extra cash and got the largest size.

Hope that helps out some...... but pretty much what you read in the reviews is very accurate.

Cheers,

[AirCoaster]

I'm looking at the PKT-840 model (large), Steve. I was also told by a fellow student that buying the larger size has some benefits. The devil is a bit pricey though. The discussions I have had with other students leads me to believe that a base outline sketch can be scanned in, and used as a guide to for applying the paint layers. Also, the underground artists say when painting artwork, it is much faster than a mouse once you learn how to use the different quick key commands. My friend John Howard White had recommended long ago to invest in a tablet.

When I mention the underground artists, I am speaking of those who have had either very little formal training, or none at all. I meet a lot of younger folks that have the enthusiasm to go it alone in that community, and they think way outside of the box, so to speak. It's very refreshing to see their work, and techniques. It just blows me away to see their attempts at doing things the alledged pros wouldn't even attempt, and become successful at it.

Thanks for the input.

[sgtmajor]

John - You are correct the devil is pricey..... but I now believe it would be worth the extra cash.

I don't see why you couldn't scan in or load any image and repaint it.

I actually used mine with Corel Draw which I still wish I hadn't lost some of my work when my computer crashed. One of the things I did enjoy...... although not really that artistic (smile)

I would take a picture with my digital camera..... Load it up in Corel Draw..... place the tracing paper over the top and then use the pin to basically paint over the photo using different strokes/techniques that almost gave it a Van Gogh look/feel. Obviously, you could select different pen/stroke/styles, however, I was just experimenting with the pen etc. (I got the idea from the Lydia web-site)

The pen allows you to use and control the pressure (which is fully customizable to your liking) and really is quite the device. As I recall, there are after market pens which claim to give you more control etc., however, all I ever used was the provided pen and it seemed to work quite well.

Keep us informed if you do decide to purchase and as always, I'm interested in seeing your very talented work. (smile)

Cheers,

[windrunner]

I'll get one of these Wacom things one day. Right now I have only a cheap as a mouse mini "tablet" that doesn't allows all the magic a Wacom does, but, it's not that bad either. It requires a bit of "brain training" from the paper to the screen, mine hasn't ended yet...and to draw from zero it's still a difficult task.

Of course, it depends on what you want to do: for flightsim purposes you'll have enough with the mouse (but I did the Navy paint of the Grizzly by hand). For more serious and artistic reasons, the sooner you start with a wacom, the better.

[sgtmajor]

All this Wacom talk has rekindled my interest again. Dug out the old tablet and reconnected it.

Cheers,

[AirCoaster]

Hi Guys, well I took the plunge. I bought a WACOM Intuos 4 12.8" x 8.0" Active Area USB Professional Pen Tablet - Large, I received it in two days, and have been working with learning its parameters.

Wow, this thing kicks @#$. I spent last night (first night) tweaking the pens to my comfort zones. After spending my first hour with it I found I am much more comfortable with using it in both hands like a sketchpad. It was too uncomfortable using it on the desk. This thing is BIG, big enough to give me all the full armstokes and wriststrokes I have been used to using in the past. The mouse works well too, so I use it for normal computer duty.

Next will be learning to use it with Photoshop and the other uncomplicated tools like Corel Sketchbook, and Photoshop Elements.

After listening to what you fellows have told me, I figured that the others were just as sincere as you fellows have been. So, I took the advise, and I think I have made the right move. It was very exciting for me to be able to sit down the first night with the tablet, and pump out a few drawings. I was totally amazed with the results. Just totally awesome, sure I have a way to go with my art, but that will never end anyway. But just to sit down with a new tool, and produce decent drawings within the first 3 hours was fantastic.

*dreams of the days when he can produce aviation art*

Thanks again for all your help guys.

[sgtmajor]

Congratulations on the purchase John, I know with your talents that thing will sing!!!

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your artwork once you're ready. I must admit, since I've hooked mine back up I too am once amazed at what a nice tool this can be. Someday maybe I'll be able to draw a decent looking box or something. (smile)

Best wishes,

[windrunner]

I'm working on these ones now; done from zero with "Alias Sketchbook Pro 2", the mini Trust TB-2100 tablet (http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=12052), and then migrated to Photoshop to add the colours.There a few more sketches of this kind on the works, I do during FS painting session intervals.

(I know it's not a great thing...but a big progress over the first circles and squares...lol)

To scan pencils drawings will work also, and if you need some advices on how to prepare it in Photoshop, let me know.

"Kuli" (my dog) was hand drawed, scanned and will paint soon (and post here or another thread to show the progress if interested)

( I think we are "mature" and shameless enough to show our work here...lol. I'll start a proper thread about it this days.)

[Deleted]

Just love those pics Damian. The jaunty angle of the hat in the second one really makes it. Looks like he's had a few strong ones! Make a great Christmas card

[AirCoaster]

Excellent Damian, I always enjoy the drawings and paintings you create. I don't think I am quite in your league yet, but I am getting there. Once I get a bit more practiced, I will add some of my work too.

Anything worth doing takes time.

[sgtmajor]

WONDERFUL Pictures!!!! WOW, sure wish I had only a speck of your talent.

I actually attempted to do a rough sketch of my cat last evening.

Well...... it looked more like some old forgotten troll under a bridge so I deleted it before it gave me a nightmare or something. (smile) Hmmmm now that I think about it.... maybe that's why I didn't sleep that well last evening.

Anyhow, I'll keep playing around with my drawings from time to time..... as I said...... maybe someday I'll be able to draw a box freehand.

Keep those drawings coming!!

Cheers,

[windrunner]

Rollerball: that guy looks like a French Revolutionary...only they started to move the hats that way to distinguish thenmselves from the nobles counter-revolutionary. The funny thing is that it become a "mode" and by the end of the 1st Empire every Napoleon general had already moved the hat at an 90 degree angle. All of them with the exception of the Empereur himself, who kept his non-revolutionary hat until his death.

(sorry...excuse my militaria geekness).

Guys, thanks for your comments. Let's see if we can do something to encourage people to start drawing and painting.

[AirCoaster]

I think that's a good idea about an area to show art work, whether it is related to avation or not. I doubt that I will have much in the way of good drawings for a while, because I am still honing my skills with the CG drawings.