From novice to pro: the transformation can seem daunting, especially when you’re picking up a drawing tablet for the first time. Drawing tablets for beginners may seem like complex machines, but with time, practice, and a few key techniques under your belt, you’ll be creating digital masterpieces in no time.
This article aims to provide you with the right tips and tricks to make your journey smoother.
Table of Contents
1. Understand Your Tablet
Understanding the capabilities of your tablet is the first step toward mastering digital art. With their drawing tablets, companies like XPPen, have transformed the art industry. These tools have varied levels of pressure sensitivity, making drawing more natural.
This sensitivity resembles the pressure of a pencil on paper, which is an important technique to master on your digital art journey.
2. Use Layers Efficiently
Another important skill is knowing how to use layers efficiently. Layers are available in all programs, including Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, and Clip Studio Paint. Layers are transparent sheets piled on top of each other that allow you to change areas of your artwork without impacting the entire image.
This feature is especially useful for beginners because it allows them to experiment without the worry of making irrevocable mistakes.
3. Hand-Eye Coordination
The connection between the drawing surface and the screen is one of the most typical problems that beginners confront. Drawing tablets, as opposed to traditional drawing, necessitate synchronization between the hand on the tablet and the eye on the screen. Don’t be disheartened if this feels strange at first; your brain will adapt to this new sort of hand-eye coordination with practice.
4. Stylus Grip
Another component that newcomers often neglect is the stylus grip. Gripping your stylus wrongly can create discomfort in the same way that gripping a pencil too firmly might cause strain. Some artists prefer a loose grip, akin to how a paintbrush is held, but others utilize the classic tripod grip. Experiment to find out what works best for you.
5. Advanced Skills
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, it’s time to move on to more sophisticated skills. Line weight is one such talent, in which the thickness of the line is modified based on the viewpoint and weight of the object. Another approach for creating shading and texture is hatching and cross-hatching. Because of the range of brush options accessible in digital art, this can be especially effective.
6. Color Theory
Don’t overlook color theory. Color is very important in the attraction of your artwork. Learning the fundamentals of color theory, such as the color wheel, complimentary colors, and color values, will help you improve your digital art skills significantly.
7. Customize Your Tablet Settings
In addition to the approaches listed above, it’s critical to customize the settings on your drawing tablet. Drawing tablets have a plethora of configurable possibilities. You may change the pressure sensitivity, assign certain functions to buttons on your stylus or tablet, and even map your sketching area.
These options are not one-size-fits-all and should be fine-tuned to your preferences and work style. Taking the effort to customize your settings can improve your workflow, save you time, and improve your entire sketching experience.
8. Use References
Another useful approach is to use references. Beginners frequently avoid utilizing references because they believe it is cheating. However, every skilled artist understands the importance of references in enhancing one’s drawing skills. They provide a practical viewpoint and assist you in comprehending the complexities of your subject matter.
References can help you with everything from lighting and shadows to anatomy and perspective. There is an abundance of reference pictures and 3D models available online, making it simple to choose one that meets your requirements.
9. Practice Regularly
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, practice. Rome was not created in a day, and neither will your skills. Sketching and exploring regularly will help you become acquainted with your tablet. To gather inspiration and seek help, use online resources such as YouTube tutorials or forums such as DeviantArt.
Final Thought
To sum it all up, your journey from novice to pro on a drawing tablet is sure to be fascinating and full of learning and progress. Every step you take will help you progress as a digital artist, from understanding your tablet’s capabilities to customizing your settings, from learning hand-eye coordination to employing references.
Accept the process, be patient with yourself, and remember that the joy of art is found not just in the finished product, but also in the process of creation. So go ahead and explore your potential and make your imprint in the realm of digital art.
