Drawing + tablets

[hope]

I know, I know; first I'm talking about pro writing, now I'm talking about branching off in ANOTHER direction. But I have been thinking about this for a while, so.

I want to get into drawing. I have had training in fine art, which I always forget to remind myself of, a freaking creative arts degree with a massive component of visual art practice which included about a semester of life drawing, amongst other things. I really just need to knuckle down and get more practice in. So, a couple of questions:

I am thinking of buying a new graphics tablet, because I think ultimately I want to be able to pen digital art right into my computer instead of on paper and then scanned to work on. And I know from playing around with a tablet a couple of years ago that I already feel quite comfortable using one; I like the results on a tablet more than I do on paper.

I used to have a wacom graphire tablet, but they're not making them any more; their amateur range now seems to be the "Bamboo", with the Bamboo Fun being their creative/art one.

Does anyone have any opinions on it? Is it worth forking out way more to get a Wacom brand tablet? Is the Bamboo range any good?


Right, now stepping away from tablets, another art question: I have been pondering doing a portraiture or life drawing class, but then remind myself - I've DONE that. And also, I'm not interested in doing photorealism, I want to do more illustrative stuff. So what I'm after is a book or website that is a good reference for the 'basics' of that kind of drawing. Something I can go through to cement the principles of drawing back in my mind, and refer back too if need's be. Any recommendations?


In slightly tangential news, I can't wait until I'm settled down somewhere again and I can try to discipline myself a bit more - schedule my non-working weekdays to do things like freelance work and more deliberate creative development.

Comments

[sneezer222]

Wacom makes the Bamboo, don't they? I'm starting a search for a tablet too, I need to do some research.

[hope]

Yup, check out the link I've posted to it above.

[autumnus]

my only suggestion is go with wacom.

Also the resolution is important but so is the size. If you draw using your arm, if you draw big, you want to a bigger space. If you draw tiny you don't want to move your arm around to get across the screen. It is a personal pref. thing.

Good luck

Drawing + tablets

[birdgerhl.livejournal.com]

essential drawing building blocks: betty edwards, drawing on the right side of the brain
illustration as a specialism/career: the fundamentals of illustration, lawrence zeegan
contemporary drawing practice: vitamin d, new perspectives in drawing
overview of historical and contemporary drawing: the drawing book, tania kovats

i will msg you with the details of something what i wrote, like.

b.x :)

Re: Drawing + tablets

[hope]

Woot! Thank you!

PS I wish you were coming to Melbourne instead of Sydney! Damn Australia and its too-big-ness.

Drawing + tablets

[birdgerhl.livejournal.com]

:( i wish the conference was in melbourne too. i did wonder about the logistics of flying to melbourne for 24hrs, but as it's work, i might not be able to (insurance and risk assessment and all that balls).

b.x :(

[digitalwave]

From a design point of view, sweetie, I'd really recommend checking out NAPP, The National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Yearly membership isn't that bad and you get access to a ton of information on using Photoshop. Plus a subscription to their mag, Photoshop User which is also an amazing reference.

Lee has a membership through work and he always brings the new issues home to share with me. They also have twice yearly conferences called Photoshop World. Which I was lucky enough to get to go to once, years ago. They're also goldmines of good training and info.

Hope this helps.

*hugs*

[hope]

Thanks for the info! I have been using photoshop for years, not sure if I want to get into digital art just yet, though. Good idea, though; I shall flick through PS mags next time I'm in the newsagent :D

[nebulein.livejournal.com]

I have a wacom and I love it. If you're serious, it's definitely worth to invest into a good, and especially big enough graphic tablet. :)

[hope]

Good to know! Thanks :)

[phantomas.livejournal.com]

Wacom absolutely, I tried a couple of different brands and the Wacom wins (for one thing, there is NO battery in the Wacom pen and that makes a huge diff for the balance!).

[hope]

Cheers, thanks for the info. I suspected as much!