Which Tablet Should You Use for Drawing?

For traditional art, there are a wide range of mediums you could use, from various types of papers to canvas, to more exotic surfaces, not to mention the different types of pencils, charcoals, pastels, pens, paints, brushes, and inks. For digital art, on the other hand, all these tools are replaced by a tablet. This does not mean that there aren't choices to be made before getting started.

Look carefully at the features of the tablets you are interested in and compare user reviews. A cheap but disappointing tablet will be a bigger waste than an expensive tablet that you will enjoy using daily. But prices climb very high, and it is far from my intention to push you to break the bank.

This guide will give you an overview of the existing tablet families and provide some guidance on choosing your tools.

 

DRAWING ON A GRAPHIC TABLET

If you have a PC, drawing with your mouse will be most discouraging. The mouse does not allow for as flexible gestures as a pencil. That's why the overwhelming majority of digital artists (with the exception of a few masochists) use what is called a graphics tablet.

It's a plastic rectangle that comes with a stylus. Once connected to your computer, the drawings you create on the tablet are mirrored on the screen. It's somewhat like a mouse designed for artists.

 

 

These tablets require a period of adaptation, as your drawing is always done on the computer screen in front of you, while the tablet is on your desk. You will therefore need to get used to drawing without looking at your hand.

But once mastered, you will be able to do all sorts of things that are nearly impossible with a mouse: more fluid gestures, and variations in the size and transparency of your strokes depending on the pressure you apply with the stylus. It will feel similar to a real pencil or brushes.

 

Wacom tablets

Since time immemorial, there is one brand that has monopolized the tablet market, and that is Wacom. Its tablets are relatively expensive, but it must be said, pleasant to handle, solid, and durable. There are always ranges for beginners (starting at €70) and ranges for professionals, and it's always possible to buy used older models to save money.

 

The advantages
Sturdy, durable

The disadvantages
A bit expensive, but not prohibitive

 

Resistance is setting in...

In recent years, other brands have entered the market to compete with Wacom and offer more appealing prices (starting at €25); the performance of these tablets has greatly improved in recent years, but they are not quite at the same quality level: less durable materials, styluses that feel a bit light in hand... but good value for money.

I will mention the brands XP-Pen and Huion, which are well-established and have a good reputation.

 

The advantages
Just as performant as Wacom
Very attractive prices

The disadvantages
A bit less pleasant to handle
Materials are a little cheap

 

INTERACTIVE SCREENS

If you find it unpleasant to draw in one place and watch your drawing form elsewhere, you are in luck. There are graphic tablets where, instead of an electronic pad, you can have a screen, allowing you to draw directly on the screen, just like on a sheet of paper or a canvas.

 

 

 

The downside is that these interactive displays (which connect to a computer, like a mix between a PC monitor and a mouse) are more expensive than their non-screen equivalents, which is quite logical. Therefore, I recommend them more for people who have some experience in digital drawing and painting but want to go further and increase their comfort.

Some of these tablets are touch-sensitive, but personally, I find that a stylus is more than enough.

 

Wacom tablets

Yes indeed; once again, Wacom makes the rules. And it's here that prices skyrocket (up to €3,500)! But they have the largest screens (up to 32 inches), are the most beautiful, and the most robust, ranging from 1,080px to 4k. If you are a semi-professional or just want to impress your friends, go for it, because they are good products, reliable and pleasant to use, but do not make this purchase lightly.

Wacom has realized that these prices are not very accessible, and has launched a low-cost model: the Wacom One, at €400. The screen is not as nice, but it has the advantage of not costing an arm and a leg.

The avantages
A wide range of high-definition screens
Bright colors, deep blacks
Solid and durable
Comfortable to use

The disadvantages
As always with Wacom, the price

 

The others

Xp-Pen, Huion, and others also offer tablets with screens. Here, there is a technological gap in addition to issues of durability and handling. Competitors provide smaller-sized tablets (up to 24 inches, which is still respectable) that are limited in resolution. However, there is always a significant difference in prices: expect to pay about half the price for comparably sized models from Wacom.

The advantages
Affordable prices

The disadvantages
Limited resolution and dimensions
Duller screens

 

 

THE TOUCH SCREEN TABLET

You surely know what I'm talking about: it's like a smartphone, but with a larger screen. Paired with a stylus, the tablet becomes a digital sketchbook.

 

 

Cheaper than a PC, most of these tablets run on a mobile operating system, with specific applications different from those available on computers; indeed, portability requires it, the power of these machines is limited, and touch/pen control requires a simplified presentation and tools.

It's good for nomads, but I don't recommend using the tablet as your main tool.

 

Android Tablets

Most tablets use the Android operating system. Prices vary greatly depending on the quality of the hardware and the manufacturer. Samsung is one of the most reliable choices for tablets as well as phones.

The advantages
The affordable price (from €200 to €600)

The disadvantages
Variable quality
Not specialized for drawing

 

Apple Tablets

The reference in the field of tablets is, of course, Apple with the iPad Pro, often paired with the drawing application Procreate. The tablet is expensive, more expensive than Android tablets, but its quality and power are a benchmark among professional artists.

The advantages
Procreate Software
Screen quality 
Computing power

The disadvantages
The price

 

Surface tablets

Microsoft also offers its tablets, the Surface Pro range, which are also expensive (€900 to €1,500) but have the particularity of running on Windows, making them an exception in the field of tablets, as they can run any program available on PC.

The advantages
Compatible with Windows
Computing power

The disadvantages
The price

 

Wacom Portable Tablets

Wacom also has a range of portable tablets that you don’t need to connect to a PC. These tablets run on Windows: the "MobileStudio" line (and its predecessor, the Companion series). The price of these tablets is very high (€900 to €3,500), so I would only recommend them to professionals. But you will also have all the advantages of the brand, which I have already mentioned for graphic tablets and interactive displays.

The advantages
Solid
Large screens (13 to 16 inches)
Very good styluses
Windows Compatible

The disadvantages
The price (we are clearly dealing with a luxury product)

 

CONCLUSION

After this general overview of the different types of tablets, I encourage you to research specific models.

On the Dessindigo website, there is a list of recommended materials under the free course video for Digital Painting training. Feel free to check it out by clicking here:

https://www.dessindigo.com/drawing-courses/digital-painting/choose-equipment

 

 

 

Illustrator and writer: Maxime Teppe