How to Choose the Best Tablet for Digital Art
Unleash your creativity to its fullest potential by choosing only the best tablet for digital art—precision, color accuracy, and responsiveness are non-negotiables. Don't compromise on your masterpiece; it's time to level up your art game now!
Popular Tablets for Art: A Comparison
Wacom Intuos Pro
The Wacom Intuos Pro is a popular tablet among professional and amateur artists, offering a responsive and customizable drawing experience. It features a sleek design and a large, smooth drawing surface with customizable ExpressKeys and a Touch Ring. The Pro Pen 2 offers 8,192 pressure levels, tilt recognition, and virtually no lag.
Wireless connectivity and multi-touch gesture support add to its convenience. However, the Intuos Pro lacks a built-in display, meaning artists must look at a separate screen while drawing, which may take some getting used to.
Wacom Cintiq Pro
The Wacom Cintiq Pro is a top choice for digital artists seeking a high-quality pen display tablet. Its high-resolution touchscreen display (16" and 32" sizes) boasts remarkable color accuracy, providing an immersive drawing experience.
In addition, the Pro Pen 2 offers 8,192 pressure levels and tilt recognition, ensuring precise control. The Cintiq Pro also features customizable ExpressKeys, a Touch Ring, and an optional stand for comfortable drawing angles.
While the price point is higher than some alternatives, the Cintiq Pro's features make it a worthwhile investment for professionals.
Apple iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
The Apple iPad Pro and Apple Pencil combo is highly versatile for artists. The iPad Pro's stunning Retina display and the Apple Pencil's smooth and responsive performance offer a natural drawing experience.
With the 2nd generation Apple Pencil features such as pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and low latency make it ideal for sketching, painting, and more. The iPad Pro also runs on iOS, providing access to art apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and Affinity Designer. However, the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil cost can be prohibitive for some.
Microsoft Surface Pro with Surface Pen
The Microsoft Surface Pro is a 2-in-1 device that combines the functionality of a laptop and a tablet. The high-resolution PixelSense display offers excellent color accuracy and touch responsiveness.
With the Surface Pen, artists can enjoy 4,096 pressure levels, tilt recognition, and low latency. In addition, the Surface Pro runs on Windows, granting access to a wide range of art software, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
While the Surface Pro and Surface Pen are ideal for artists who require a versatile device, the price and battery life can be limiting factors.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ with S Pen
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is a high-end Android tablet with an impressive Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and exceptional clarity. The included S Pen has 4,096 pressure levels, low latency, and air gestures, providing a natural drawing experience.
The Galaxy Tab S7+ runs on Android and supports various art apps like Clip Studio Paint, Autodesk Sketchbook, and Infinite Painter. While it's a robust device, its app ecosystem may not be as extensive as iOS or Windows, which could limit its appeal to some artists.
Huion Kamvas Pro
The Huion Kamvas Pro series offers a range of pen display tablets, combining affordability with quality. These tablets feature vivid, high-resolution displays and offer excellent color accuracy.
In addition, the battery-free stylus has 8,192 pressure levels, tilt recognition, and a comfortable grip. The Kamvas Pro also includes customizable shortcut keys and a touch bar for quick access to commonly used tools.
While the build quality and software compatibility might not match the premium options, the Huion Kamvas Pro series is an excellent choice for artists on a budget.
XP-PEN Artist Series
The XP-PEN Artist Series comprises a selection of pen display tablets catering to artists at various skill levels and budgets. These tablets offer high-resolution displays with impressive color accuracy, providing a satisfying drawing experience.
In addition, the battery-free stylus supports 8,192 pressure levels, tilt recognition, and minimal latency, ensuring precise control. The Artist Series also includes customizable shortcut keys and a touch bar, streamlining the creative process.
While the XP-PEN Artist Series may not have the same brand recognition as Wacom or Apple, its competitive pricing and solid performance make it a worthy contender for beginners and experienced artists seeking a reliable pen display tablet.
Additional Tablet Accessories and Peripherals for Artists
Drawing Gloves
Drawing gloves are essential for digital artists as they provide a smooth and frictionless tablet experience. These gloves reduce the friction between the hand and the tablet surface, preventing smudging and unwanted palm touch inputs.
They also help maintain a clean screen by minimizing fingerprints and sweat. Made from lightweight, breathable materials, drawing gloves ensure a comfortable fit for extended periods of use, allowing artists to focus on their work without distractions.
Screen Protectors
Screen protectors are crucial for safeguarding tablet screens from scratches, smudges, and glare. They help maintain the device's longevity while providing a better drawing experience for artists. Different types of screen protectors are available, such as matte and glossy variants.
Matte protectors reduce glare and provide a paper-like feel, while glossy ones maintain the screen's vibrant colors. High-quality screen protectors also have an oleophobic coating that repels oil and fingerprints, keeping the tablet clean and easy to maintain.
Pen Nibs and Stylus Tips
Pen nibs and stylus tips are essential for artists to ensure optimal tablet pen performance. Different materials like plastic, rubber, and felt offer varying friction and control, allowing artists to find the perfect nib for their style.
In addition, replacing worn-out nibs can help maintain the pen's responsiveness and accuracy, while trying new ones can inspire new techniques. Stylus tips, however, are designed to offer greater precision and sensitivity, with some even simulating the feel of a traditional pencil or brush.
Tablet Stands and Cases
Tablet stands, and cases are vital for artists, providing protection and ergonomic support. Cases prevent damage from accidental drops or scratches, while stands facilitate a comfortable drawing angle and posture, reducing strain on the neck, back, and wrists.
Adjustable stands allow artists to work at their preferred angle, while cases with built-in stands offer convenience and portability. Some stands also have specialized features like a 360-degree rotation or a multi-angle design, enabling a versatile workspace.
External Keyboards and Shortcuts Remotes
External keyboards and shortcut remotes are productivity-enhancing accessories that help artists streamline their creative process. They provide quick access to frequently used tools, commands, and functions in digital art applications, reducing the need to navigate menus.
Customizable shortcut keys on external keyboards or remotes can be programmed to suit each artist's workflow, increasing efficiency and focus. Wireless remotes offer added convenience, enabling artists to control their tablets from a distance.
At the same time, portable keyboards provide tactile feedback and a familiar typing experience for those who prefer traditional input methods.
Considerations for Choosing a Tablet for Art
1. Screen Size and Resolution
When choosing a tablet for art, consider the screen size and resolution. A larger screen offers more drawing space, making it easier to create detailed artwork. In addition, high-resolution displays ensure sharp, clear images, allowing you to discern fine details and colors while working on your projects.
2. Pressure Sensitivity and Stylus Compatibility
Pressure sensitivity is crucial for creating natural-looking strokes, shading, and textures. Look for a tablet with high levels of pressure sensitivity and a responsive stylus that suits your drawing style.
Stylus compatibility is essential, as some tablets only work with specific styluses, limiting your options for a comfortable drawing experience.
3. Processing Power and Memory
A tablet with robust processing power and ample memory is essential for running graphics-intensive art applications smoothly. Consider a device with a powerful processor and sufficient RAM to handle multitasking and large file sizes.
This will ensure your tablet can keep up with your creative workflow without lagging or crashing.
4. Battery Life and Portability
Long battery life and portability are essential for artists on the go. Choose a tablet with a long-lasting battery to avoid disruptions during your creative process.
In addition, lightweight and compact designs make it easier to carry your tablet to different locations, allowing you to create art whenever inspiration strikes.
5. Software Compatibility and Availability
Software compatibility plays a significant role in choosing a tablet for art. Ensure the tablet supports your preferred art programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Procreate.
Additionally, consider the availability of drawing apps and tools in the device's app store to expand your creative options.
