Curse

Invertation · Apr 15, 2011, 10:55 AM // 10:55

Right. I'm actually not using a tablet, so freestyle is an out. Wouldn't trust steady hands on a mouse. Good note on the brush setting though. Wasn't really thinking much of it.

GeminiJuSa · Apr 15, 2011, 02:46 PM // 14:46

A different method I've used when I've used the pen tool is that I make the entire path I'm going to use, then I make about 3 or 4 different layers, in which I use a different brush size when I "stroke path". Then I erase the thicker lines on the part I want thin lines on, and work my way thick to thin. You can smooth out the change from thick to thin to "make the ends meet" in a nicer way.

When I didn't have a tablet, I did have a scanner or a camera. What I did was that I either scanned or photographed a hand drawn sketch to make it a bit nicer.

These are just my tips, I hope they make sense. I think they are a bit unconventional since I figured it on my own. But I still thought I'd share to give you something to think about.

Verene · Apr 15, 2011, 04:36 PM // 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy's

As crazy as it might sound, most people don't use pen tool as far as I know. After a shitload of practice your hand gets so steady, you just make the strokes from your hand (and use ctrl+z a lot

). If you want to stick with pentool though, you should check (asuming you use photohsop) Brush setting box, go to shape dynamics and play around with the minimum diameter jitter. That way you can have more different lines and you are able to make lines actually touch (with no min. diameter, you get the result as you have it; lines don't really touch). Hope it helps

Lines touch just fine with the pen tool most of the time; when you go to "stroke line" there's a specific option that causes that effect.

And no, with practice your hands won't necessarily get steady

I still can't draw a smooth straight line to save my life, and can have an entire piece outlined with the pen tool in a small fraction of the time it'd take freehanding it. I also work a lot in Illustrator which is all pen tool.

Brush dynamics really don't have much effect when using the pen tool, I don't think, because you're not actually tracing/drawing the lines, but creating points and adjusting the curves and angles of those points.

Aeronwen · Jun 29, 2011, 06:03 PM // 18:03

Both my daughters have birthdays coming up and both have asked for a tablet. I have absolutely no idea what is available and what the costs are. Can anyone give me some names to look up and and any pros and cons of whats available? If you had a tablet as a present what would you want?

Tommy's · Jun 29, 2011, 06:14 PM // 18:14

I'd suggest a Wacom Bamboo Fun or Pen. I don't know if your daughters have any experience in drawing/painting, but Bamboo is the best step-in model. If they know what they really want you can buy an Intuos, but those are pretty expensive.
Here is the link to Wacom Bamboo:
http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/BambooTablets.aspx

Also this might help:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/d...t=tablet+wacom

Also, check page 8 op this thread

Hope it helps, lucky daughters you have!

Edit: stumbled upon this on dA: http://forum.deviantart.com/art/digital/1612393/

Morag D · Jun 30, 2011, 08:54 AM // 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aeronwen

If you had a tablet as a present what would you want?

well, I'd want the Wacom Intuos4, which at medium size is about £250. However, that's only now that I've been using a tablet for 5 years. For ordinary (as in, non-professional) use, my Graphire4 (which Wacom produced before the Bamboo) did, and is still doing, a great job.

Incidentally, I'm looking to upgrade to an Intuos, and would be selling my used Graphire4 (A5 working area, new pen, signs of wear but working perfectly). Looks like this but is not wireless.

Aeronwen · Jul 05, 2011, 12:13 PM // 12:13

Thanks so much for the help guys - and for those links Tommy. I have read it all and still feel a bit like I am stumbling around in the dark.. I am amazed at how expensive it all is.

Well we have settled on the bamboo fun for the little one whose birthday is in just over 2 weeks. We will see how the older one reacts when she sees it. I am inclined to get her the same as then they can work together and maybe teach each other how to use it (over skype).

Neither of them will have much time anyhow.

Verene · Jul 05, 2011, 03:47 PM // 15:47

Tablets are indeed very expensive. But generally with this, it's worth the higher cost for a Wacom. I have a Graphire3 (the version older than Morag's), which I got in 2002. Only just now is it starting to wear out, and really the only issue is the pen nib getting worn down, which technically is replaceable.

I'm looking to upgrade to something that's not completely outdated, though, so yeah

Intuos4 Medium is what I've got my eyes set on as well. But for just starting out, the Bamboo is great, and it will last a long time.

Aeronwen · Jul 15, 2011, 06:50 AM // 06:50

Thanks so much for all the help

Well my husband left it to the last minute and then ordered the small one. Remembering that I have no knowledge of this and don't always understand what's being said in Tommy's links, are there books or something that tell you how to start using one? I need something that will work for a 12 year old ( a mature and intelligent 12 year old ) maybe something that has step by step projects.

Tommy's · Jul 15, 2011, 07:52 AM // 07:52

I think the tablets explain themselves. To use the tablets you need to install some driver software, and those often (it did for my Bambo Fun) a small guide on how to use the tablet. After that it's just practice. For the first few times it'll feel extremely odd looking at the screen and drawing elsewhere. But you'll get used to it in no time.
But I wouldn't know any step to step guides to be honest.

Aeronwen · Jul 22, 2011, 11:36 AM // 11:36

Well it was her birthday on weds but it was a busy day so we didn't set up the tablet until yesterday. She seemed to pick it up very fast. Atm she is overwhelmed by all she can do with it.

Thanks so much for all the advice.

Death By An Arrow · Sep 03, 2011, 02:26 AM // 02:26

So this may not be an idea or technique, but this blog I've only just discovered has PLENTIFUL benefit for anyone trying to transition from traditional to digital (like myself), or really struggle with the intimidation a beginner would feel.

http://www.ctrlpaint.com/

I highly suggest doing all 5 Digital Painting 101 videos, for anyone really. They provide little practice sheets (just copy/paste the images provided. one of the downloads is broken :x) that go along with the video. From shortcuts to colour blending with the tools given, it's just a really helpful and easy to follow explaination of how to approach and go through paintings.

Everything is free, and my understanding is that it updates twice a week with two more tips/videos. The guy who makes them has to be some kind of teacher, he's very clear and easily understood.

Just thought others may want to give it a look