Which Tablet should I get for ArtRage?

[Stormcloak]

I should start by saying that I'm a total noob at painting - not just digitally, but generally. What I do is miniature painting and pencil/ink doodling. I'm not very good in these disciplines either, but it's fun.

So when ArtRage was released on Steam I thought, let's give it a try, and bought it. It was the first time I actually tried to paint with oil colours and I thought it was surprisingly accessible. I tied Bob-Ross-style painting and tried to copy some stuff I saw people painting on Youtube (with limited success), mosly but not exclusively using oil colours. Now I am looking to get a graphic tablet and being the complete noob I am, I am not sure which one to get.

Obviously I don't need high-end stuff, so I'll probably get a Wacom Bamboo. But which version is for me? German Amazon lists three cheap-ish versions: One for 50€, one for 80€ (which apparently is the same as the 50€ version, but with touch/multitouch) and the Bamboo Fun for 170€.

What are the differences between these tablets and how do they matter to me? Are some versions better suited for certain paint styles than others? How important is a big size display?

Thank you! :)

[Lege]

Just get the 50€ Wacom Bamboo Pen. I have it and it gets the job done perfectly well. You don't need the touch input if you want to use your tablet for drawing only. The Bamboo Fun S doesn't seem to differ much either, and is the same size as Bamboo Pen.

I think you should get the cheapest. It's a very good beginner tablet, and you can always upgrade to an expensive tablet like Intuos if you feel that you require professional equipment.

[Alienowl]

I would recommend the Wacom Bamboo Splash. It's an introductory tablet that you can get for about $70. I picked one up the other day, plugged it in and had it working in a few minutes. As some other users pointed out, you don't need to install all that software that comes with the tablet if you don't want to. Maybe the Bamboo splash lacks some functions of more expensive tablets, but as Misuel mentioned if you're using it for drawing, it should suffice.

This is the first tablet I've used and it has been incredibly fun and easy.

[Stormcloak]

Ok, thanx guys, seems like I'm going for the cheap one.

Bamboo Splash does not seem to be available in Germany, or at least not under that name.

[Stormcloak]

Ah, yes, from the Wacom Wikipedia entry:

"In Europe, there are five tablet models currently† available: Bamboo Pen, Bamboo Pen & Touch, Bamboo Manga, Bamboo Fun S Pen & Touch and Bamboo Fun M Pen & Touch."

The Bamboo Pen is the same as Bamboo Connect. The only difference between the latter and Bamboo Splash seems to be the software that comes with it.

[special_snowcat]

Yes, it's pretty much the same tablet. The cheapest one without buttons. The only *important* difference is size, though. I normally recommend not getting the smallest one because a small tablet will restrict your arm movement more. But if you don't paint much and don't know how serious you are about digital painting, it's probably better to get the cheapest one.

[404_Not_Found]

Waccom /thread

[freakshowfreak]

Also bought a bamboo pen for starters.... but have to say the small size sometimes can get anoying.......

[Yggdroid]

Got myself a bamboo splash about a week ago and gotta say it's been pretty nice

But yea the actual size of the drawing area gets a little getting used to, but i've actually found the size a little big for the strokes that I use...

[404_Not_Found]

I have to draw with a tablet on my lap, so the compact size is a benefit.

[BareNakedSlayer]

Pretty much any decent rated tablet will do. You don't have to get one with shortcut buttons, as a matter of fact, I wouldn't. Those buttons are a bigger hassle than they are worth, IMO. What's nice about Artrage is they make it remarkably easy to control with pretty intuitive on screen controls. The hardest thing to deal with when using a tablet is the disconnect between using the tablet and looking at the screen. That said, pay attention to how far the away the tablet picks up the pen. There is a range at which it will just pick up the movement and then when it's touched it will actually draw. I bought a budget tablet, had a few issues that in the end were just driver issues, returned it and got a Wacom, much to my disappointment. The budget one would pick up the pen at an inch away. The Wacom it was maybe a quarter of an inch, which makes general on screen navigation an issue. I switched to a budget graphic tablet and it's about a billion times better than a tablet. BUT, a lot of professionals will still use a tablet for a great many things. I'm not a professional, but I am an enthusiast graphic artist and good tools are good tools. No matter what the brand. If I were you, I would check out the Monoprice line of tablets. They can be picked up on Amazon or directly from the website. If you like it and feel it doesn't fit your needs, you haven't spent too much money.

Check this one out: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?seq=1&format=2&p_id=6251&CAWELAID=1329452276&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CJKssbyIv7UCFYtU4AodgXQA4w

Don't be fooled by the price or the funky ads.

[Mike]

Bamboo Splash comes with ArtRage Studio 3. Might as well just get that and save $20.

[HumorStupor]

I use a Wacom Bamboo Splash, it was about $80, i got it for Christmas and haven't put it down since then. It comes with ArtRage 3 and Sketchbook express, extra pen bits, a bit remover, and the software disk you need to install the drivers for.

[Stormcloak]

I've bought the Bamboo Pen a week ago and do really enjoy it. Takes some getting used to if you never used a tablet before, but then it's awesome! :)

[Coffee]

I bought a Bamboo Creative for my first tablet. Very nice one!

Originally posted by Kaze:

Waccom /thread

Never heard of that.

[Reinfeld]

I just grabbed a monoprice 10x6.25 w/ hotkeys. Should be here tomorrow.