Drawing lessons on a tablet. WACOM graphics tablets. Instructions and Comments

Today in this lesson we are learning to draw a magic totem on a tablet. I think many people have an idea of ​​what a totem is; you can often find them in adventure films and films about Indians. Very often they look like pillars with images of sacred animals, idols, or some kind of religious symbols. In our case, we will learn to draw a totem on a tablet in the form of a stone pillar, on which we will depict symbols that glow when addressing the totem.

I will try to make the description of the lesson on drawing a totem as detailed as possible, I don’t know how it will turn out, but let’s start implementing the idea.

So, let's launch Photoshop, create a document of arbitrary size, I created 1024x768, filled the background #aabcc8 color, I select a simple hard round brush with parameters press = size (this means that the size of the stroke depends on the pressure on the tablet with the pen) it usually costs 4 by default on the left. I check its settings and press F5, it should be as shown in the screenshot below.

First stage: drawing a sketch

The brush is set up, now we can move on to sketching our totem. Create a new layer on top of the background and start sketching various options on it, thereby creating a contour sketch. I ended up with a sketch like this, and I’ll leave it for further work. Also sometimes I create a rough palette for an image, like in this case, which you can see in the left top corner in the screenshot below.

Second stage: set the primary colors

Create a new layer, place it under the outline layer, and set the main tone for the elements of our image. Painting over the base on a tablet is quick and easy. I use it for the stone itself #58676e color, for grass #6e9b0a, for artifacts on stone #b12121. And finally I reduce opacity at the contour to 65% . And I move on to the next stage of drawing a totem on the tablet.

Third stage: light, shadow

Apply shadows in the required places #34393d color while applying shadows in the right places, I change the opacity of the brush.

After we've set the shadows, let's move on to the light and illuminate those places. #78858d the color where we assume that our surface is illuminated. When painting light, we also change the opacity for our brush. As a result, we should get approximately what is shown in the screenshot below. I also decided to erase the outline of the grass and add light to the blades of grass.

Stage four: stone detailing

At this stage we will learn to draw small details of stone on a tablet. First of all, merge all layers except the background into one, select the same hard brush and brush size 1-3 pix. Depends on the size of the picture, choose the color #b5d1dc and using small strokes we create sharp edges on the stone.

I would like to note that in some places they run next to the contour line, and in others they replace it; there is no need to draw it all over the stone. We erase the stones lying below a little and make them more detailed.

I also texturize the stone a little, apply small dots of different diameters and shades of light and dark in a chaotic order in different places on the stone. The main thing is not to overdo it.

Fifth stage: work on the artifact

Let's carefully draw the ornament of our artifact in red #7b191a color.

After we have drawn the ornament, we need to make a dark outline around it, create an outline using #34393d color and hard brush size 1-3 pix.

Next, we need to create highlights on the edges of the stone along the edge of the ornament. For this we choose #98aab4 color and hard brush size 1-3 pix. Let's apply highlights and change the opacity of the brush in some places.

Create a glow inside the pattern with flowers #b12121 #fb7f81. It should look like the screenshot below.

Since our artifact glows, it should accordingly cast light onto the stone. So, let's create a new layer, place it on top of all layers, set it to chroma/color mixing mode. And with a soft large brush, draw a glow on the totem from the artifact, and then reduce its opacity to what suits us.

Stage six: final chords

Well what about at the moment We have already achieved a good result, but there are still a few things that need to be improved, these are grass and shadow. Select a hard brush 1-2 pix. And flowers #4d651b, #6d9b09, #98c411, #d8e507 slowly we begin to draw the grass, making strokes from bottom to top. We use more dark tones below, and correspondingly light ones on top.

Let's increase the sharpness of the totem slightly using a filter Sharpen > Contour Sharpen. The values ​​in the filter must be set to the minimum so as not to oversharp the image. And let's add a little shadow, I didn't bother with it very much, I created a little under the entire totem and slightly darkened the bottom of the grass and that's it.

That's all, you can see the final result below, on it I created a small glow behind the totem, for this I took a soft brush with a large diameter and a color a little lighter than the background and painted a glow.

Today we learned how to draw a totem, in the next Photoshop lessons we will also learn how to draw on a tablet , but there are other equally interesting drawings, so I recommend subscribing to site updates so as not to miss new lessons.

Everything in the world of design more space focuses on applications that make working with graphics programs easier. The leading position among all gadgets is occupied by a graphics tablet.

It is thanks to him that modern designers have received a number of advantages, such as ease of drawing illustrations to the smallest detail (which would not be possible to achieve using a mouse), and the ability to control the thickness of the pen line depending on the pressure applied.

In Adobe Illustrator, you can draw on a tablet using tools such as a pencil, a brush, and a blob brush. We will talk about them in this article. But we will focus specifically on how to set up such tools for working with a graphics tablet.

I would like to note that the brush tool is most convenient to use for drawings consisting of lines of different thicknesses, and the pencil tool is best suited for drawing silhouettes.

Let's get started!

The most important thing is a properly configured pen

Open Window – Brushes and select any round brush. Double-click on the icon of your chosen brush, which opens a dialog box with its settings. In this window, set the following parameters: Diameter - 10, pen pressure, 10 (equal to the maximum diameter of the brush). Such parameters will allow us to further change the thickness of the contour depending on the degree of pressure from 0 to twice the size.

To check what we have done, select the Blob Brush Tool and start placing points with different degrees of pressure.

Having practiced in this way, you will be able to create a contour with different thicknesses without interrupting it, which can be extremely useful when drawing.

If you were unable to draw with different pressures, then I advise you to play with the pen settings of the tablet itself, which are located in the Start menu - All programs - Wacom Tablet - Wacom tablet properties. Adjust the Pen Sensitivity until you can draw such a line without much difficulty.

Setting up the Paintbrush Tool

Double-click on the icon of this tool on the Toolbar so that a window with settings appears. Now let's get acquainted with the parameters of the Brush tool.

Fill new brush strokes - When you select this option, the program applies a fill to the path, which is especially useful when drawing closed paths.

Keep selected—when this option is selected, the program keeps the path selected after finishing drawing it.

Editing area for selected contours - when you select this option, you can make changes to the selected contour.

Within: _ pixels (available when selecting the previous option) - shows how close pixels the brush should be to an existing path in order to make changes to the path.

Setting up the Blob Brush Tool

Double-click on the icon of this tool on the Toolbar so that a window with settings appears. Now let's get acquainted with the parameters of the Blob Brush tool.

Keep selected—when this option is selected, the program automatically keeps the outlines selected while drawing continues.

Merge only with the selected area - when this option is selected, the program merges the new stroke with the existing selected one.

Accuracy - Shows how far you can move the brush before the program automatically adds a new anchor point. Available values ​​range from 0.5 to 20 pixels. The higher the value you set, the less complex the contour you create will be (with fewer anchor points) and, accordingly, will be smoother.

Anti-aliasing—shows the degree of anti-aliasing when drawing. Available values ​​range from 0 to 100%. The higher the percentage value you choose, the smoother the outline will be when drawing.

Size – set the size of the brush.

Angle - choose the angle of rotation of the brush.

Roundness - shows the roundness of the brush (the higher its value, the greater the roundness).

Setting up the Pencil Tool

Double-click on the icon of this tool on the Toolbar so that a window with settings appears. Now let's get acquainted with the parameters of the Pencil tool.

Deviation—responsible for the frequency of adding new anchor points when drawing with a pencil. The higher the value, the less sharp the corners and vice versa.

Smoothness—responsible for the degree of smoothing when drawing. The higher the value, the smoother and smoother the created outline will be.

Fill new pencil strokes - this option allows the program to apply a fill to the stroke. Before drawing, don't forget to choose a fill color.

Keep path selected—selecting this option allows you to keep the path selected after it is created.

The edit zone for selected paths determines whether the selected path can be edited or merged when the pointer is within a certain distance from it (specified by the following parameter).

Within: 20 px. (available if the previous option is selected) - shows how close the pencil must be to an existing path in order to make changes to the path.

To return the default settings, simply click the Restore button.

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Convenient and easy-to-use programs for drawing on a graphics tablet have become widespread.

This is due to the fact that more and more artists are starting to work digitally, abandoning classical materials to create illustrations or paintings.

However, both the convenience of work and the quality of its implementation largely depend on what software the author uses to work on the tablet.

Peculiarities

Most tablet artists now use software Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. This is high-quality, functional software, however, it is not the only one. It is worth choosing a program based on functionality and ease of working with it.

The capabilities of your tablet will depend on which program you choose. Therefore, you need to choose software taking into account the technical data of the device. In addition, there is also universal programs, suitable for any tablets.

<Рис. 1 Планшет>

Paint

This application is suitable for artists who are just starting to master working on a graphics tablet. It has general functionality, a simple and familiar menu, and therefore you won’t need to spend additional time getting used to it (although a novice author will still have to get used to the tablet).

Having a certain level of skill and getting good at it, with the help of such software you can create quite high-quality works. The advantages of such an application include:

1. It is available by default in standard builds of all versions of Windows (although it is recommended to work with those included in the builds of XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10);
2. Extremely simple interface and menu - almost every user knows how to work with Paint;
3. Quite wide (for a basic program) functionality.

From functional features Programs include drawing with a pencil with lines of varying thickness and density, drawing with a brush at different transparency and stroke widths, filling the selected area with one color, and working in several layers. You can also act with the finished image - select and copy zones, cut out areas, enlarge, stretch and flip selected zones. Saves pictures in several formats.

You should start getting acquainted with the functionality of a drawing tablet with this software. Moreover, it can be basic for those who do not draw professionally, as well as for those who periodically make minor edits in graphic files.

<Рис. 2 Работа в Пейнт>

Gimp

This software for creating drawings has wide functionality and significant power. You can download it from the official website www.gimp.org. Works with all types of graphics tablets, and also with some other input devices.

The disadvantages of such software include the following:

1. Quite a significant load on both the hardware of the computer and tablet;
2. The interface is quite complex, it takes time to get used to it.

<Рис. 3 Работа в Gimp>

However, it is still considered that the application is intended for beginners. It has quite a wide range of functionality:

• Working with photos - brightness, color correction, adjusting levels, contrast, etc.;
• Photo editing - removing unnecessary elements, cropping, and other standard Photoshop functions;
• Suitable for web designers, as it allows you to create and edit layouts for websites;
• Drawing pictures – equipped with the functions “brush”, “pencil”, “filling an area with color”, etc., and in several types;
• It has an individual image saving format.xcf, which can save data with a picture, text insert, layers, textures, etc.;
• Simple integration with the clipboard – pictures and photos can be opened in the program by simply copying them;
• Opens files intended for editing from other known graphics programs eg .psd;
• The developer's open code allows you to create and install your own plugins, add-ons and extensions for this software;
• Allows you to quickly archive files.

This software is very versatile. It is suitable for both beginners and non-professionals, as well as professional illustrators.

MyPaint

The program is intended primarily for artists working in classical genres. It is not so much designed for drawing simple illustrations, but for creating works of art, paintings in the classical style. For this reason, it has quite broad and complex functionality, and a not very simple menu.

Most artists take some time to get used to it. However, it is believed that the interface of this program is simpler than most similar ones with similar functionality. You can download the application at .

<Рис. 4 Работа в MyPaint>

The main advantages of this application are:

• Unlimited canvas sizes;
• The ability to customize the contents of the menu bar, include assignable buttons, etc., resulting in the function of quickly switching between commands and easy access to frequently used functions;
• Very wide selection of brush types when available fine tuning everyone;
• Function for importing strokes and brushes, generating, customizing and editing them;
• Works with many types of devices and supports them well;
• Unlike most similar programs– works in many ways operating systems– Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Ubuntu.

Drawing in this software should be fast after the user gets used to its interface. However, non-professional artists, as well as illustrators and comic book creators, can make do with other, more simple applications(both in interface and functionality).

Graffiti Studio

The program is designed for creating graffiti; its main functionality is designed for this style of drawing. Can be successfully used by those who create comics, as well as illustrators working in a similar style. The program has a very simple and intuitive interface.

An interesting distinguishing feature is its relative realism. The whole process of work is reminiscent of applying graffiti “live”. And as a canvas, you can choose surfaces familiar to a street artist - walls, asphalt, cars, buses, etc.

<Рис. 5 Работа в Graffiti Studio>

The features of this application include:

• Use of more than 100 color shades of paints, such as could be used in real painting;
• Creating drips and stains, applying to “dry paint”;
• Changing the specifics of application, depending on what surface you have chosen (as in reality);
• Changing the distance from the artist to the canvas (the distance from which virtual spray paint is applied to a vertical surface);
• The use of markers and other means that are actively used in real graffiti.

Although this style is not as popular now as it was a few years ago, it has not completely disappeared. Largely thanks to the emergence of such programs.

Artweaver

The program is complete analogue Photoshop. But, unlike it, it is sold completely free of charge. You can download it from the official website.

It has functionality completely similar to Photoshop. And besides, a similar interface and appearance. It is quite capable of replacing this graphic editor.

However, she also has some additional features, which will be convenient for artists. Its main advantage is that authors who are accustomed to working in Photoshop will not have to relearn. In addition, this application uses less computer resources and is less heavy.

The application allows you to create paintings using media that imitate oil, pencil, watercolor, and chalk. At the same time, various tools are presented here - brushes, markers, pencils, pens, pens and others (of various types, moreover).

Like Photoshop, it has full functionality to change photos - color correction, adjusting brightness and contrast, levels, cropping, cutting out sections, compression, rotation, reflection, stylization, etc. well-known analogue, supports working in layers.

<Рис. 6 Работа в Artweaver>

SmoothDraw

You can download the program and a manual for working with it from the official website. It is suitable for working with any type of tablet. It has quite a wide functionality with a relatively simple interface.

Allows you not only to create new images, but also to process, change and edit old ones, including those created in other programs. But mainly the application is aimed specifically at artists who create a picture on a blank canvas. Suitable for both illustrators and web designers and artists working in a classical style.

Allows you to simulate work with various tools - brush, pencil, pen, pens, colored pencils, felt-tip pens, etc. Interacts well with tablets; there are no crashes or bugs when performing basic functions. Since the software has a simple interface, it will make the creative process relatively simple and fast.

<Рис. 7 Работа в SmoothDraw>

PixBuilder Studio

The most accurate description for this program would be a lightweight version of Photoshop. It combines most of the most used functions of this program, but removes unnecessary or rarely used features in order to simplify the interface and reduce the load on the hardware and software of the computer. You can download the program from the link.

Has the following functionality:

• Editing the image according to parameters: brightness, contrast, color correction, color enhancement, etc.;
• Cutting and transforming photos, stretching, compressing, reflecting, rotating, both the entire image and a selected area;
• Generating complex shapes, objects, etc.;
• Blur and sharpen functions, image stylization options.

However, in general, the application is more designed for editing existing images than for creating new ones. For this reason, it is not suitable for professional artists. Rather, it is suitable for those who edit photos and pictures, but sometimes make their own edits and additions to them.

<Рис. 8 Работа в PixBuilder Studio>

Inkscape

It differs significantly from other programs in the list primarily in that it allows you to create vector graphic images. In essence, it is a more advanced and functional version of CoralDraw, which is familiar to most users. You can download it from the official website, and you must indicate your operating system, since there are builds of this program for all operating systems (which is another significant advantage).

What are the advantages of this application? First of all, in principle vector graphics, that is, drawing with directed segments. Such segments, unlike point fragments (in which all other programs described above work), are easy to edit at any stage.

At the same time, when editing the shapes and sizes of segments in this way, there is no loss of picture quality. You can even enlarge the entire image several times, while maintaining its quality.

For this reason, the program is popular among web designers and designers, logo designers, etc., because they often need to edit the image size. In addition, the application is actively used in printing, creating banners and booklets.

<Рис. 9 Работа в Inkscape>

Livebrush

Simple and interesting software, intended more for creative search and inspiration than for creating a classic work. In addition, it has quite a wide range of image editing functionality. You can download the software from the link.

There is only one tool here - a brush. But it is presented in many different types, both in width and density, type, etc. In addition, many types of brushes can be downloaded, edited, created, etc.

In addition to traditional brushes - lines, there are also complex geometric shapes, which are also considered brushes in this application. The program is suitable for creating abstract illustrations and some design works.

<Рис. 10 Работа в Livebrush>

Paid programs

Many developers also implement paid programs for working with graphics tablets. In terms of functionality, they are not always superior to free ones, so you should weigh the pros and cons before purchasing. The most popular commercial programs are:

• Corel Painter X3 works with traditional materials - brushes, pencils, etc. Simulates dry and wet coatings and effects. The works turn out to be realistic, and the drawing process is familiar;
• Painter Lite is a cheaper version of the previous program, with narrower functionality. Equipped with only the necessary drawing tools, it is suitable for beginners or for those who are not yet ready for significant expenses;
• Clip Paint Studio Pro was developed for creating anime and manga. However, you can create comics and illustrations of any type in it. Its developers have made so many changes to the program that it can now be used for digital painting. It is convenient to have standard manga poses and figures that can be used as models for classical drawing;

  <Рис. 11 Работа в Corel Painter X3>

  Another good paid program is Affinity Designer. But it has a significant drawback - it is designed only to work with MAC.

  Computer drawing programs

  In this video, I took six programs on which you can draw on a computer with a tablet and explained which program is best suited for whom and also revealed the selection criteria graphic editor for everyone personally.

A graphics tablet is a powerful creative tool. It is suitable for experienced artists who want to move from using traditional materials to creating works on the computer, as well as those who are just about to learn how to draw. Obvious advantages digital works– safety, as well as the absence of constant expenses on expensive artistic tools and constantly consumed materials. However, for a beginner, drawing on a tablet may not be so easy at first.

Process of working with the device

Any model comes with a USB cable, which is necessary to connect it to a computer. In addition, other accessories may be included.

Types of graphics tablets

There are two types most often used by artists:

• desktop tablet
• interactive pen display

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

Desktop graphics tablet

The desktop device is a plastic frame with a working area around which additional elements (for example, buttons or a light indicator) can be placed. The size of the working area varies, but usually it corresponds to standard size sheet of paper. The most common are A4 and A5, which are convenient to place on the desktop in front of the keyboard. However, sometimes there are models in sizes A3 and A6. The set comes with a stylus, which, in turn, is equipped with one or more buttons, as well as an “eraser” on the top.

Tabletop type. The picture is displayed on the computer screen

This option is suitable for beginners - those who just want to learn how to draw on a graphics tablet. It is inexpensive and also has many models of different sizes and features. However, styluses suitable for such models have a built-in tip that wears out over time. Usually, a set of spare tips comes with the stylus, but if you use the device for a very long time, you may have to buy additional leads separately.

Interactive pen display

This type is visually similar to a screen with a stylus. Pen displays connect to a computer, displaying everything that happens on the monitor screen. They are usually equipped with a stylus and a stand. By connecting such a tablet, the artist can draw directly on its screen.

Interactive pen display from Wacom. The image is displayed directly on the surface.

Such devices are suitable for creating high-quality detailed work, but their cost is much higher, so this option must be chosen with caution. In addition, most often they are quite bulky, so before purchasing, make sure that there is enough space on your desktop to lay out your new acquisition and work on it comfortably.

Important: when choosing a graphics tablet, you should not be guided by the price or popularity of the model, but by the level of development of your artistic skill and your needs.

Drawing programs

Anyone who wants to learn how to draw on a graphics tablet needs high-quality, user-friendly software.

The most popular choice is classic Adobe Photoshop. The program has many versions for operating systems, and online you can find tutorials on how to draw with it. However, this option is only suitable for those who have a fairly powerful computer - even the light version of the program consumes a lot of resources, heavily loading the device. Photoshop is useful for those who want to use professional image processing tools in their work.

Loading screen and interface of Adobe Photoshop CS6

Another popular program among digital artists is Easy Paint Tool SAI (as well as its more advanced new version SAI 2). Unlike Photoshop, SAI is extremely easy to understand and opens in a few seconds. Many artists prefer it for creating quick sketches. It will also appeal to those whose style is minimalist and does not require complex tools.

Both programs can work with raster or vector images, support the function of pressing the stylus, and also have the ability detailed settings brushes that will be useful when drawing. Concentrate on searching suitable program, as well as setting it up immediately after purchasing a new device - this will help you quickly get used to it and start being creative.

If none of these programs are convenient for you, do not despair, because there are a huge number of other image editors - for example, designed for specific work like creating comics.

Helpful tip: when drawing in any program, it will be useful to learn its hot keys or even set your own. You can also assign specific functions to the buttons on the stylus and on the tablet body.

Graphics Tablet Settings

To make your work more productive, you should set up your device before you start drawing. Most tablets - for example, products from the well-known company Wacom - come with a driver disk, accompanied by instructions for installing them. If these things are not found in the box, both can be found and downloaded online.

Interface of the Wacom Desktop Center program, through which Wacom products are configured

One of important steps When preparing to draw on a graphics tablet, you need to adapt the device depending on which hand you draw with. When installing drivers for the device, the program will ask you to choose whether you are right-handed or left-handed, but it is better to prepare workplace in order to place the device on it.

Accessories

The graphics tablet can be used as standard, but additional accessories can be purchased:

• A graphics tablet glove is a version of a regular glove made from a thin, slippery material, but only covers two fingers—the little finger and the ring finger. It prevents contact of the skin of the hand with the working surface. This way the screen or work surface remains clean while working. Many artists prefer to purchase specialized gloves and use them while working. However, there are those who make gloves themselves.
• A stylus for a tablet is always supplied in a box along with the device itself and has different type and configuration depending on the model. But some styluses are independent devices.

Styluses supported by Autodesk SketchBook. Image taken from the official website.

Many popular art programs for mobile devices(for example, Autodesk SketchBook, Tayasui Sketches) support the ability to use a pen from Wacom and others. This feature will be especially useful for those who already have regular tablet– by combining it with a stylus, anyone who draws can get their own analogue of an interactive pen display.

Hi all!
My name is Matt M. Laskowski and I am a graphic illustrator.

STEP 1. NEW FOLLOWERS

:: I don't have a tablet, but I'm planning to buy one.

Great! But first: try to find the answer to the question “why do I need a tablet?” It doesn't have to be Wacom, they just produce probably the highest quality and easiest to use tablets. But if you are completely new to this business, then it is better to first ask yourself why and how much you need this tablet.

And I will say slowly and clearly:

NO GRAPHICS TABLET, WHATEVER BRAND AND MODEL IT IS, CAN MAGICALLY MAKE YOU A SUPER-DUPER ARTIST.

A graphics tablet is a productivity tool that speeds up an artist's workflow to keep up with digital media. It doesn't enhance your pre-existing skills just because it's a high-tech item plugged into Photoshop. Very often everything happens just the opposite.

Although the tablet comes with a stylus, which gives the feeling simple drawing On paper, the actual practical use of a tablet (especially if you've never used one) is a completely different dimension, one that can be reached through a long, winding learning curve. After all, after setting up a regular desktop tablet, you'll be holding it horizontally on your desk or lap, with your pen lines on a vertically positioned monitor in front of you. You will have to get used to this and it may take weeks before you stop feeling discomfort from such a system.

I've met many artists who were thinking about buying a tablet for testing, shelling out $350-400 for a mid-level professional model, using it 10 times and never thinking about it again, because getting used to this technique was too much for them. Well, then this tablet could be used as an expensive mouse pad - otherwise, the money could be spent more wisely.

So don't let this discourage you from purchasing a tablet. By any means, buy yourself a tablet if you decide that you really want one. The only thing you really need to remember here is that you need to be smart if you buy blindly on the principle that everything will work out.

:: I want a tablet, but have never used one before

There's good news for you. Wacom manufacturers know that people buy tablets with different content and for different purposes. If you've never used a tablet and can't say for sure whether you'll like it after you try it, you certainly shouldn't even think about starting with something big and expensive.

Wacom offers a range of low-budget tablets for aspiring artists, the BAMBOO (as I write this article). These tablets can provide good experience drawing for about 30-40% of the cost of the series professional tablets INTUOS. (As of this writing, the BAMBOO PEN tablet will cost just $70, compared to the same-sized INTUOS SMALL tablet, which costs $220.)

Plunging headlong into digital world, it is best to buy BAMBOO, because even with the minimum probability that you will like it and continue to use it, this tablet will serve you faithfully for quite a long time. As you get older experienced user this tablet, you can safely switch to INTUOS. After all, the cost of BAMBOO is negligible and it can be resold to someone else who just wants to try the product, or you can simply store it and use it when traveling or other places. We need to treat it more simply, and not bury our nose in it. (To learn only what you need at the beginning of the journey, and develop as your experience accumulates.)

At the same time, if in the end you didn't like BAMBOO and never used it again, you won't be too upset, because... it costs nothing - and by keeping it, you potentially increase your chances of using it again.

:: What about the CINTIQ tablet series? Are they easier to use?

CINTIQ tablets, for those who don't know, are WACOM's professional grade products. CINTIQ has a screen built into the tablet body itself. This means that when you draw on it, you get instant visual feedback at a 1:1 scale. It's as if you were drawing on a regular piece of paper, without taking into account the work in Photoshop. Due to the stand, functionality and ease of handling, it is very expensive. The small model (the 12-inch Cintiq 12WX at the time of writing) retails for $1,000, while its larger 21-inch brother, the 21UX, costs $2,000. As you can tell by these prices, it's too early for you to even think about such tablets until you have a very good reason to do so.

For the working professional, CINTIQ tablets are... steamed turnips. They allow professional artists to work faster and more accurately. The end result created by a professional artist on a Cintiq tablet will most likely be no better than the painting he drew on a regular Intuos, but the 1:1 scale alone makes any investment worthwhile. Let's take professional photographers for example. If you are just starting out in photography, will you buy expensive equipment that professionals use? Most likely not, because expensive equipment does not make you a good photographer, just as it does not make a professional a good photographer. Of course, you can buy the latest technology, like from famous photographers, but you will only use it as much as your knowledge of this technique. Thus, a beginner, having purchased professional equipment, will still produce work at the level of a beginner. Professionals are only interested in the latest technology because it almost always improves the efficiency of their work.

This, of course, does not mean that you should not think about it and buy a tablet like the Cintiq. They are created not only for professionals and the artistic elite. Cintiq tablets are easier to use than traditional Intuos or Bamboo versions because they're the format you're most used to (pencil and paper), but they're not perfect. Issues such as cursor lag, pen line jitter, pen calibration, and bulkiness of Cintiq tablets may be unacceptable to some, but can be minimized with appropriate tablet use. Some newcomers (and even professionals) to digital art may find it impossible to get used to traditional tablets like Intuos and Bamboo and refuse to work on them. However, when you give them a Cintiq, they can do anything with it and the results will be top notch. These people are ready to pay one, or even two thousand dollars for such equipment.

For most people, it will make sense to start with a basic level tablet and work your way up to the Cintiq, especially if you spend a ton of time working on the tablet. When you really understand that the features that the Cintiq has are exactly what you need, then without a doubt, go for it.

:: Tablet personal computer (tablet PC, Tablet PC)? What kind of fruit is this?

Tablet computers have been around for quite some time, but there have been issues with hardware and usage that have made working with programs like Photoshop problematic. In recent years, the development of higher power, lower voltage processors and simpler electronic circuits have allowed tablet PCs to take a higher position in the world of personal computing, now being as powerful as larger, non-tablet systems.

As the name suggests, a tablet computer is a tablet that is inserted directly into a computer monitor. Most Tablet PCs with pens are made by Wacom, using a technology called "Wacom Penabled". The "Wacom Penabled" Tablet PC has all the same specifications as the Bamboo Tablet in terms of tracing and pen pressure sensitivity, with the exception of the LCD screen. However, they are a little more similar to the Wacom Cintiq series, but are not high enough in terms of standards technical characteristics. Most tablet PCs are rotatable, which means they are usually 12 or 13-inch laptops, and the screen can rotate on an axis and fold over the keyboard, thus becoming a thin PC with just a monitor. Unlike Cintiq tablets, tablet PCs are much more convenient, more powerful, and completely autonomous (work wirelessly). However, unlike the Cintiq, the tablet constantly works in conjunction with the computer. So when your computer gets old and deteriorates, so does the functionality of your tablet. Cintiq tablets gain their functionality by connecting to a computer, so your Cintiq will work as well as the computer it's connected to will work. So, we can say that generally Cintiq tablets are more durable than tablet computers due to the fact that its hardware lasts much longer.

One of the main differences, however, is that tablet computers are rarely designed for true artists. Most Tablet PCs are designed for end consumers who want their computers to be faster in a smaller space. Their bulk of target consumers are in hospitals and warehouses. Since Tablet PCs are not 100% a product for artists, their functionality can sometimes lead to frustration. Not all software will be compatible with this computer, and calibrating the pen may be a complicated process.

For those who are interested in Tablet PC, I present for your attention the following models:

Amazing! From now on, I'll only be focusing on Wacom tablets and not Tablet PCs - but there's still a lot of useful information here for you, fellow Tablet PC users, so keep reading.

- Check your drivers!

The first step, of course, is to make sure that your drivers are working properly! Many new tablet users often forget to install drivers completely, and then wonder why some functions, such as pen pressure, do not work. The best way to tell if your drivers are installed and functioning is to hold the stylus to one corner of the tablet, then remove it and move it to the other corner. If the cursor automatically jumps to the second corner where the pen tip is, you can be sure that everything is working perfectly. Without installed drivers, the cursor will not move.

- Disable Tablet PC services on Windows

This step does not apply to: Mac users, Tablet PC users, and OCR users handwritten text and “sketches” (flicks) on Windows Vista/7.

Windows 7 and Vista have a feature called Tablet PC Services. By default, this feature is enabled when a tablet connected to the computer is detected. Tablet PC Services, as the name suggests, should only apply to tablet computers– not in any way to your laptop or personal computer, to which the Wacom tablet is connected. These Windows features will only get in the way if you intend to devote yourself entirely to drawing.

To disable Tablet PC services, click the Windows button on the taskbar and type “Services” in the search box. A shortcut called “Services” should appear in the search results. Label in the form of two small mechanisms.

Click on it, and an even larger window will open in front of you with a list of other shortcuts. The list is alphabetical, scroll down to "Tablet PC Input Service".

Double-click on it, a small window will appear showing the current status of the services, as well as the option to enable (start), stop (stop), or disable (disable) these services. We are only interested in stopping and disabling these services.

First, click the “stop” button. Wait for the program to stop running, then click Apply at the bottom of the window.

That's it! Tablet PC services are now disabled. From now on, you can get 100% pleasure from working with Wacom, forgetting about the “glitches” of Windows. For artists, this is simply an ideal condition, because... this ensures that the pen responds as quickly as possible.

(If some Tablet PC services are still running, try restarting your computer.)

- Prepare a good work area!

The way you sit and hold your tablet has a huge impact on how you use it. For many people, placing the tablet at an angle is most convenient, because... this minimizes the difficulty of transferring horizontal motion to vertical motion, and also this position simulates a drafting table. Many people place the tablet on their laps, resting the corner of the tablet on the edge of the table (this, of course, can only be done by owners of a fairly large tablet). Other people use things like coolers and laptop stands to somehow keep their tablet at a certain height. For those who have the opportunity to visit an IKEA store, I want to tell you that they have a great laptop stand for $2 that is also great for tablets of any size.

Of course, you can always place your tablet vertically on a table surface. Just remember to keep the monitor a little closer to the tablet, and if your monitor has height and tilt controls, lower it and tilt it towards you.

It may seem to you that Cintiq tablet users have it much easier in this regard, because... They have built-in retractable stands that automatically position them for the most comfortable working position, but you can still improve your work area with the tools you have at hand.

:: Everything seems to be going well! Now what about actually using the tablet?

So, regarding the use of the tablet, the first thing you need to do is open the Tablet Properties window and think about how you would like to configure it with certain software. I know, I know, you want to get started right away. maximum settings and capabilities - but trust me, you need to understand how to use your tool effectively first!

Windows users can find tablet properties in two places:
- Start menu – All programs – Wacom Tablet (sometimes Pen Tablet) – Wacom Tablet Properties
- System control panel – Wacom Tablet Properties
Users Mac computers can find the properties of their tablets directly in the System Preferences menu.

When you open this window, you will see the following:

Please note that in order to change settings on your tablet, it must be connected to your computer. The program for changing parameters will not work without a tablet. Also please note that if the tool you want to edit is such as a pen or mouse with increased accuracy, is not displayed under the Tools list, you probably haven't registered it in your tablet yet. Wacom tablets register all the tools it interacts with by simply bringing it within range of the tablet to detect the signal. This means that you can use more than one pen, or any other tool, and each will have its own settings. The Features tool relates directly to the tablet hardware, such as ExpressKeys and active work areas, etc.

However, each person will have their own preferences regarding the settings of their tablet, so I won't say much about what is best and what is not - simply because if one thing is true for me, it does not mean it will be true for you that's right. In addition, all tablet models differ from each other in their capabilities and settings. However, I will tell you, as an example, about the settings that I usually use myself. We will look at just a few of them. The rest will be touched upon in one way or another later in this article, but to a lesser extent.

- Profile your software!

Notice how your tablet's properties window should have a [+] button at the end of the Applications list? It allows you to add a program in order to have special installation configurations ONLY for the selected program. This is very useful when you are using several programs in parallel, each of which has its own hotkeys and functions. It may seem like there's no point in profiling your software, but remember, this step will help you improve your productivity.

The properties program allows you to create multiple profiles for each tool, just like the settings for the tool itself. Your pen may have completely different profiles than your tablet's features. So first of all, remember to select the tool for which you want to create a profile.

A good example of things that are most often profiled differently are hotkeys for undoing and redoing an action (for example, in Photoshop the keyboard shortcut is ctrl+alt+Z, and in Painter ctrl +Z), as well as changes to some features that are clearly missing in other software.

A good tip to help you install your software: First open the program you want to profile, and only THEN add it to the list in the Tablet Properties window. Running program will appear in the list of programs you're most likely to want to add.

- Place only the most frequently used functions on the Express Keys!

Your Wacom tablet has an Express panel. Older models such as the Bamboo have at least two of the three buttons on this panel; Cintiq 21UX tablets have as many as 16 express buttons. To make your work easier, you should assign the most frequently used functions to these buttons.

If your tablet has a lot of buttons on the Express panel, don't bother assigning a function to each button. Assigning functions to buttons that you rarely use can actually hinder your work rather than help it. Over time, you may forget which functions are assigned to which buttons, and it is quite possible that you mistakenly press the wrong button, which can lead to undesirable consequences.

If you need to do something, such as Undo, zoom in, etc., there should be a button on your tablet that you press most often - like "home position" . This "subconsciously preferred" button should enable your most frequently used feature. For me, this is the "Shift" button modifier. Don't be surprised if you don't find your starting position right away. You will understand when you discover it for yourself when, wanting to perform a certain function, you press the wrong button on the tablet. If this happens, you need to change the button with which you made a mistake and put in its place the one you intended. Immediately after the starting position should be the second most frequently used function. For me it's "undo". With these two buttons located next to each other, there is no need to guess where to point - everything is already at hand.

Note the picture above - these are the settings I use on my Cintiq. It can be seen that the main buttons here are the two express buttons closest to the center, because they correspond to the Shift function. I also found that I used the bottommost button a lot, so I gave it the Alt function. Note that I also placed my second most used function above Alt - Undo. This allows me to quickly undo my actions if I make a mistake while drawing.

- The only necessary setting for your pen:

The Express Bar is great for quickly accessing frequently used functions, but don't forget that your pen also has two buttons. They can significantly speed up the process of working on a graphics tablet.

Unlike the buttons on your tablet, the buttons on the pen should be used as access to certain actions, and not as hotkeys. Therefore, I recommend one of the buttons to Right click (a frequently used and necessary function), and the second to Pan/Scroll.

Pan/Scroll is probably one of the best features because it works in almost all programs. In almost all image programs, it allows you to scroll through the canvas—essential for quickly accessing different parts of the canvas to continue drawing. It also allows you to scroll through lists of folders, web pages in your browser, basically anything that can be scrolled down or up.

Although the express panel may be different for everyone, I guarantee you that specifically for pen buttons you will not find more suitable functions than these.

- So, how about real, serious use of the tablet now?

You'll find out soon.

STEP 3: TAKE YOUR SEATS

Please note that this article is not a lesson on drawing, improving your skills, or anything like that. The purpose of this is to expand your knowledge of your Wacom tablet, and help you find your own style of working on it.

Before you start, you should know that there are some special differences in graphic drawing that you need to get used to. There are many things that can give you some advantages that you can't achieve on paper, so let's look at some of them.

- If you have a tool, make the most of it!

Graphic canvases do not have physical limitations like paper. However, they still have physical limitations in relation to your computer. Try working on a canvas of several thousand pixels. If you have a computer, PC or Mac purchased after 2007, you should not have any problems working with large files as long as you do not exhaust the 2GB system memory to the minimum possible.

You shouldn't be afraid to work with paintings that are, say, 5000x3500 pixels in size. You'll be surprised how small this huge file will be when printed, despite how big it looks on your monitor. But remember that it all depends on the scale - if you are painting on a large canvas, reduce the scale by half and use a thicker brush. And then you will see that the canvas is no longer so “deceptive”.

- Use layers. But don’t overdo it so you don’t get lost in them!

Most image processing programs such as Photoshp, Painter, Tool/SAI, PhotoPaint, and SketchBook Pro support the ability to work with layers.

Rule #1 graphic drawing says: Never draw on a background layer. The background layer is an unchanged, completely opaque layer. You can't place anything underneath this layer, so the first step you should take when opening a new file is to create a new layer on which you will draw. In this case, the lines you draw will be on a transparent canvas, and you can add other details or colors underneath this layer if you need to exclude any other action or fill a void. Working on new layers is like having an endless supply of blank fields to work with. But know that if you use too many layers, you'll spend more time finding the right layer instead of spending that time painting. Cluttered layers can also lead to incorrect results, which can interrupt all your work.

It's best to keep things simple to a certain level. Break your work down into a series of basic layers, such as "sketch", "detail", "lights and shadows", "base colours", etc. It would be good to train yourself to add new details on new layers, and only then merge the new layer with one of the base layers, if you are sure that everything turned out as intended. So, for example, always reduce all rough sketches to one layer, instead of keeping all 10 with different small details on each of them.

The more you use layers, the more fascinated you become with them. The list of layers in the picture above is one of my more complex paintings. Sometimes, cluttered layers are inevitable, and I agree that I could probably cut 70% of those layers to free up space. However, when creating this painting, I did not want to do this. So it took me a lot of time to find the necessary layers in this booth.

Unlike traditional painting, layers allow you to group elements of your work to make it easier to correct mistakes later without damaging other parts of the image. But this can significantly slow down the speed of your work if you don't organize your layers wisely. This is why graphic artists must be mindful of their traditional sensibilities, and remember that a problem area in a painting can be solved by erasing it and painting the detail again, rather than using filters and transformations to “fix” the problem. And in general, in the graphic world, you can erase problem areas as much as you like and the canvas will not suffer from it.

It’s much easier to work with a list like this (picture above). This set of layers allows you to work on the painting more freely, unlike many small groups with layers.

I advise beginners in the field of graphic drawing to use no more than three layers in their drawings, simply because it will allow you to work more naturally. You'll definitely benefit from using layers, but don't overdo them or you'll lose all touch with the traditional approach to drawing.

STEP 4. PENCIL DRAWING LESSON

:: I'M READY. Teach me some techniques!

Glad to see you're still with me. Because this is where your training in techniques for using your tablet to draw with pencil and paint begins. Let's start with simple pencil drawing.

- Move the canvas towards the feather. Not the other way around.

Your tablet, like your monitor, is only a window. It allows you to work on a specific area that is visible at a specific moment. Therefore, learn to move your canvas freely. If you need to draw something in the corner of the monitor, don't move your pen to that corner and draw in that limited piece of canvas—pull that part of the canvas toward the center of the monitor so that you can freely draw on as much space as possible on your tablet. By working in the center of the monitor, you can make larger lines with your pen, and this makes it easier to rotate the canvas if you need to. This is why the Pan/Scroll feature on the pen is so important.

Modifier keys are the names of the keys on your keyboard, such as Ctrl, Alt, Cmd, Shift, etc. These keys modify the functions of other keys and even how tools in the software operate.

The most important modifier operations you need to know for drawing are the same for most image editing programs, and the only modifier you need to know is the Shift key.

- Shift key: By holding down the Shift key with the Pencil or Brush tool selected, you can create a straight single line. Depending on the direction initially set for the line, the Shift key will switch to vertical or horizontal line. Some programs or tools can also switch by 45 degrees. In Photoshop, you can hold down the Shift key to create a straight line by specifying a start and end point. Click in one place, then in another, and a straight line will immediately stretch from the first point to the second. This is a particularly useful feature when creating perspectives in a freer style of drawing, because... you can create beautiful straight lines from any angle.

- [ and ] keys: Although these are not modifier keys, they are important to know. Most image processing programs use these two keys as hotkeys to change the brush size. Especially for pencil drawing, you may find these keys useful to get different lines on different parts your painting. Using [ and ] keys is much easier than opening brush properties every time you need to make changes.

- Be spontaneous, work quickly, don’t be afraid. Everything can be remade.

Graphic work is cleaner than traditional drawing media, but that doesn't mean you should force yourself to create the purest, most perfect work ever created by man.

If you don't maniacally scribble your idea onto the canvas, you will never make any progress in your drawing. You will simply draw and erase one small part that you are trying to insert and the big picture, and then you will realize that you cannot continue it because you do not see this very THE BIG PICTURE. Unlike traditional drawing tools, your monitor can show so much at once. As you work, you can't always see the whole picture, and you may lose sight of how the work will look from afar. That's why you should work quickly and not worry about little things. Work at a reduced scale, then zoom in and clean up when the baselines are complete. This is how you would work on paper, so you should work exactly the same in graphical form.

Rough sketch. Be spontaneous, don't worry about extraneous things.

Start erasing the excess when you are sure of the correctness of the sketch.

Come up with a composition, correct it when everything is ready.

Later, refine what fits into the work, then delete the extra lines. Add details.

- Use zooming to your advantage.

When you clean up your painting, the margin of error will decrease dramatically, because... you are trying to make the image look more ideal. If you work at a remote scale, you are likely to encounter some problems along the way. You won't get very far in your work until you zoom in and fine-tune the finer details.

Wacom tablets have a significantly higher resolution than your monitor. This means that when you zoom out, the pixel density of the canvas increases. For example, if an image is 1000x1000 pixels, at 50% scale it will be 500x500 pixels, doubling the density of each visible pixel. If your tablet has a resolution of 2000x2000 pixels on the active area, it will still draw with high precision, as if you were working at 100% scale, even though your screen will not be able to show those tiny little movements. However, if you continue to zoom out, the resolution of the tablet will become much lower compared to the increasing density of the canvas. So when you draw at such distant scales, detail becomes impossible.

This is why you zoom in when you want extreme image accuracy. The more you enlarge your image, the higher resolution your tablet has to work at, giving you a larger margin of error - allowing you to clean up the image more accurately.

As you can see in the picture above where I tried to draw a circle in different scales,Details of detected pen movements are lost after 50%.

The image on the left is a screenshot of the canvas at 100% scale.
The image on the right is a screenshot of the canvas at 300% scale.
If you needed to draw the pupils in the eyes of this heroine, at what scale would you do it?

STEP 5. PAINTING LESSON

No, I'm not here to teach you how to paint, use a color scheme correctly, or any of that sort of composition curriculum. I have already created enough other lessons to explain these things. Everything I'm going to teach you here revolves around the basic technique you need to master in order to start mixing and manipulating colors for the purpose of painting.

- Know how modifier keys can help you draw.

As before, there are also certain useful modifier keys for painting with paints. One of them that you should remember is the Alt key, or Option as it is called on Mac computers.

- Alt key: When you hold down the Alt key while the Brush tool or any other color tool is selected, that tool changes to the Eyedropper. This is the most useful Alt function when painting with paints, because... it allows you to quickly select a color and use it to blend with a nearby color. You can think of the Alt key as a key that allows you to “dirty” your brush with new tones created by overlaying two colors. The more you use the Alt key to pick colors in the in-between areas, the more these shades blend, flowing into each other. You can, of course, use Alt to pick new, unmixed colors from the canvas to use elsewhere. If you paint with paints, the Alt key simply must be on the express panel. Especially because almost all image processing programs use this modifier with this function.

- Use pressure for opacity and low opacity for blending colors.

Most image processing programs with a pressure function can adjust the brush so that when you apply more pressure to the pen, the lines become thicker instead of wider.

In Photoshop, this setting is most easily found in the Other section of the Brush Settings panel. (Although in CS5 this section was renamed Transfer, so keep that in mind if you're on CS5.) With the Opacity Jitter set to Pen Pressure, you'll see that if you press lightly on the pen, the lines will be light, translucent, and a stronger impact on the pen will result in hard, thick lines. I would advise you to disable the section called Shape Dynamics while drawing, because... you don't need the lines to become lighter at the ends. This opacity setting can be applied to any kind of brush and can be very easy to get used to, so try it out and see how it makes blending colors easier. Note: In some programs Opacity is called Density.

Now that your lines have a certain level of transparency, apply some paint to the canvas and choose another paint to paint over it. You will notice that the colors mix as... visible through each other. Changing the pen pressure can help you control things like the gradation and volume of objects. When you pick up a new color from the in-between area you just painted, you can use that new color at a low opacity to further blend the colors in the given area and create shape.

1) In this picture you can see that we are starting with a simple cut where two walls and the floor meet. One wall is yellow, the second is gray, the floor is also gray.

We're going to draw the light coming from the source on this object and apply shadows accordingly.

2) On next stage I used the Alt key to select the gray floor color with the eyedropper and lighten it a little. I painted a small area of ​​the floor with this color to create the appearance of a falling shadow.
In the same way, I picked up the yellow color of the wall and darkened it a little to draw an extension of the shadow.