Tablet Pens

[Newbie Artist]

Hi all, just wondering your opininions on tablet pens. Are they worth buying? i have just started using adobe photoshop and am really struggling with a crap mouse. Would it help?

[Magic Man]

They are called stylus' and in order for it to work, you also need the tablet.

And yes, it will help you, but only if your art foundation is strong, or else it will just make stuffing up your image a faster more efficient process.

Using a mouse compared to a tablet is like using a bar of soap instead of a fine haired brush for caligraphy.

[amuletts]

Lol Magic man - good analogy. A tablet and pen is way better than a mouse. Personally I have two and I'm not even what you'd call a digital artist. The larger A3 version is much better than its smaller cousin. Perhaps my hand trembles too much but I would always get really shakey lines on the little tablet. So if you do decide to get one spend a little extra and get an A3.

It does take a fair bit of getting used to however and don't expect your results to be immediately brilliant. I find it more like using a brush than a pen. Now I do use it in favour of a mouse in almost all circumstances. Anything I would usually use a mouse for I use the pen instead. It respond quicker, smoothly and accurately. I use it for computer and internet navigation - everything. It's a lot kinder on the hands for a start - 'nuff said. Plus the tablet is really thin and doesn't get in the way so I just leave mine set up all the time. I get paint all over it, but it still works fine :)