Love to draw? Go from paper to digital with a beginner's graphics tablet. This tool has a large work surface, shortcuts to editing software and a pen with thousands of pressure levels. With or without a screen and depending on the brand (Huion, XP-Pen, Wacom...), here's our guide to the best graphic tablets for beginners.
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Our selection
"For starters, the Huion H610 Pro V2 is the perfect choice. We like its many customizable buttons on the side, its workspace almost as big…"
"Perfect for freehand drawing, the Gaomon M106K offers the same feeling as on a sheet of paper thanks to its brilliant stylus. The handling is…"
"When it comes to graphics tablets, there's Wacom and then there are the others. This Cintiq 22 offers you the possibility to draw and illustrate…"
"For efficient drawing, express yourself on the XP-PEN Star 03V2. In addition to its large work surface, this graphics tablet has slightly sloping sides for…"
For starters, the Huion H610 Pro V2 is the perfect choice. We like its many customizable buttons on the side, its workspace almost as big as an A4 sheet of paper and its pleasant PW100 stylus.
39,99 £ on FnacJust starting out with digital drawing or painting? Treat yourself to a Huion H610 Pro V2, which is less expensive, but just as effective as the Huion Inspiroy Dial Q620M. Its excellent PW100 pen has 2 customizable side buttons for software shortcuts. The tablet itself has 8 customizable buttons on the side and 16 shortcuts on top.
Most impressive is its large A4 or 10 x 6.25 inch workspace, which can be tilted 60° and offers 8,192 pen pressure levels. This 635 g graphics tablet works with many programs such as Photoshop, Sai, Illustrator, Clip Studio... For those who want to make digital drawings on paper, try the Wacom Bamboo Slate A4.
Perfect for freehand drawing, the Gaomon M106K offers the same feeling as on a sheet of paper thanks to its brilliant stylus. The handling is simple, fast, with a good fluidity and a good precision.
See priceThe Gaomon M106K offers a 10 x 6 inch work area, a hair smaller and heavier (780g) than the Huion H610 Pro V2. This entry-level graphics tablet offers 5080 LPI of resolution, which reinforces the 2048 levels of pen pressure. Set by default for right-handed users, this model is still configurable for left-handed use.
The Gaomon M106K has 12 express keys on the side and 16 function keys on the top. Perfect for freehand drawing, the ArtPaint AP20 rechargeable pen can be used like a real pen on paper or with a wireless mouse. Its autonomy reaches 350 hours. In addition, the grip of the pen is perfect and the tablet reacts really well.
When it comes to graphics tablets, there's Wacom and then there are the others. This Cintiq 22 offers you the possibility to draw and illustrate on a huge 21.5 inch screen while benefiting from an excellent base.
783 £ on AmazonWacom is like the Apple of graphics tablets: very successful and often very expensive. After the huge success of the Cintiq 15, we wondered how the manufacturer could do better. The answer lies in the Cintiq 22 and its work surface with a huge 21.5-inch Full HD display with 1920 x 1080p resolution.
For added depth and detail, the Wacom Pro Pen 2 pen syncs without lag and offers 8,192 pressure levels. Overall, the real plus over the Cintiq Pro is the cleverly designed base. For once, Wacom has taken complaints about this into account! On the other hand, there are no longer any express key shortcuts.
For efficient drawing, express yourself on the XP-PEN Star 03V2. In addition to its large work surface, this graphics tablet has slightly sloping sides for added comfort.
42,39 £ on AmazonThis XP-PEN graphics tablet is all about precision with its 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Everything is designed to offer you great comfort, especially with its shortcuts for zooming, undoing, erasing, managing brush thickness, drawing by hand, etc. With a working area of 10 x 6 inches, you can be sure to have enough space to express yourself, especially since the sides are slightly sloped to improve comfort.
It also has great compatibility with most systems, including Windows 10, 8, 7, Mac OS version 10.10 and above, Chrome OS 88.0.4324.109, and design software such as Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator or Clip Studio. The pen is also optimized for comfort, as it works without a battery, and with side buttons to switch between pen and eraser mode easily.
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| OUR SELECTION |
Huion H610 Pro V2
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Gaomon M106K
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Wacom Cintiq 22
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XP-PEN Star03 V2
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For starters, the Huion H610 Pro V2 is the perfect choice. We like its many customizable buttons on the side, its workspace almost as big as an A4 sheet of paper and its pleasant PW100 stylus.
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Perfect for freehand drawing, the Gaomon M106K offers the same feeling as on a sheet of paper thanks to its brilliant stylus. The handling is simple, fast, with a good fluidity and a good precision.
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When it comes to graphics tablets, there's Wacom and then there are the others. This Cintiq 22 offers you the possibility to draw and illustrate on a huge 21.5 inch screen while benefiting from an excellent base.
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For efficient drawing, express yourself on the XP-PEN Star 03V2. In addition to its large work surface, this graphics tablet has slightly sloping sides for added comfort.
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Screen resolution
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5080 LPI
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5080 LPI
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1920 x 1080 p FHD
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5080 LPI
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Working area
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10 x 6.25 inches, no screen
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10 x 6 inches, no screen
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21.5 inches, with display
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10 x 6 inches
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Pen sensitivity
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8192 pressure levels
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2048 pressure levels
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8192 pressure levels
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8192 pressure levels
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Shortcuts
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2 on pen, 8 on left side and 16 on top of tablet
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12 on the left side and 16 on the top of the tablet
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Optional remote control with 17 presettable options
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8 on side, buttons on stylus
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Weight
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635 g
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780 g
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5.6 kg
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907 g
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Unlike a simple touch tablet, the graphics tablet must be connected to a computer to function. Depending on your means and compatibility, there are models with or without a screen. Choosing the right one requires taking into account 5 criteria.
A4, A5, A6 or A7 for the smaller ones, the ideal size does not exist for a graphic tablet. Some people will prefer portability and choose a small graphic tablet, while others will look for a large space to draw properly. It all depends on your needs and expectations.
However, we recommend an A4 or A5 sheet if you are just starting out
. This way, you'll have enough space to practice and let your imagination run wild while still allowing you to take the material wherever you want. Plus, most graphics tablets adopt this format.
The
graphics tablet complements a computer since it doesn't stand alone. Over time, manufacturers have developed models with a screen. This way, you can draw without taking your eyes off the surface or the pen.
But the classic, affordable version of a beginner's graphics tablet still lacks a screen. And to this day, it is still the most common version on the market. With this type of device, you have to watch the rendering obtained on the computer screen in order to follow the pen's stroke in real time.
Expressed
in lines per inch or LPI, this criterion indicates the precision of the drawn lines
. Specifically, the higher the density of ink dots used for a drawing line on a 1-inch surface, the sharper the line will be. Even for a beginner's graphics tablet, choose at least a resolution of 2000 LPI.
Take
into account the sensitivity of the pen when pressed against the drawing surface. The more levels of pressure, the more accurate the pen will be.
For starters, a stylus with a sensitivity level of 2048 will be a very good choice for quality and price. On the other hand, only high-end pens offer a tilt function.
In addition, you should know that most pens have a lead
, unlike pens for touch tablets and smartphones. This lead is quite short, measuring 2 cm and lasts on average 3 to 4 months. Be sure to choose a stylus with a detachable lead so you can replace it if it runs out.
Don
't get too hung up on the design. Ugly or not, the main thing to check is whether the graphics tablet is a left- or right-handed model
. Ideally, buy an ambidextrous model. Note that some graphics tablet drivers allow for hand switching, so it's good to know before you buy.
In addition, consider the weight (0.5 to 1 kg on average), the presence of anti-slip and anti-shock zones. And don't forget the shortcut buttons or express keys
. These give quick access to certain programs by assigning a combination of keys. However, shortcuts are not always customizable.
Never place heavy or blunt objects on a graphics tablet. Indeed, this kind of practice, often due to negligence, destroys little by little the sensors on the drawing surface. Also, avoid any shocks as well as excessive vibrations on the graphic tablet.
Connecting a beginner's graphics tablet to a computer is not rocket science. In addition to the tutorial provided in the manual, there are many videos on YouTube for each model. In addition, most of the software drivers are included with the tablet.
This section aims to explain what to do and what not to do when you start using a graphics tablet.
Before we start, let's clarify one fundamental thing. It is impossible to draw digitally with only one hand, no matter how good you are. Left or right-handed, you will need to use one hand to hold the pen and the other hand to press the shortcut keys on the keyboard or on the graphics tablet.
Avoid squeezing the pen too hard, even if it's bigger than a pencil. Holding it down with so much force doesn't do anything but make your fingers ache. Instead, check for a side button on the pen. Putting your thumb on it will give you access to various functions: change the size of the brush, right-click to choose an action to do...
As mentioned in the selection criteria, some pens are tilt sensitive. This allows you to vary the thickness of the strokes without using shortcuts. Last important point, do not use the tip where the eraser is. It takes longer than pressing the E key to access the eraser in Photoshop.
Be aware that drawing on a graphics tablet is different from drawing on paper, although this impression disappears with practice. What you draw is not displayed on the drawing surface, but on the computer screen. So avoid looking down at your hand all the time and focus on the screen cursor.
For the first few strokes, try testing the pressure of the pen and how it feels when you touch the graphics tablet. You'll see how smooth it feels, but also how different it is from paper. Solutions like Slate combine the best of both worlds, a good choice as a beginner's graphics tablet.
Start by drawing geometric shapes (circles, squares, triangles). This helps to get familiar with the touch, pressure and tilt of the pen. Good to know, the usable area of your graphics tablet will be adjusted according to your computer screen. A line drawn at the top left of the graphics tablet appears in the same place on the screen.
The graphics tablet offers less finesse than lines drawn with a pencil on paper. For precision work, don't hesitate to draw on paper and color on the computer. In the end, you'll save time. There is no shame in this practice since many professionals do it this way.
The touchscreen tablet is a mobile and intelligent terminal, halfway between a computer and a smartphone. Its versatility offers the user a large number of possibilities, including drawing. In addition, there are many iOS or Android apps to draw on a tablet, starting with Photoshop Touch. Given its lightness, a tablet offers undeniable comfort of use. And what you draw is displayed directly on the screen, no need to connect to a computer. Of course, a tablet capable of drawing will need a substantial hardware configuration and a screen capable of handling pen pressure, but even the most expensive touchscreen tablet can't handle ambitious projects in terms of layers and resolution. It's impossible to concentrate all the power you need on such a small surface. Not to mention the limitations of the operating system and the sensitivity of the screen. Also, the stylus of a touch tablet was not really designed for drawing. The tip tends to slide around too much and it's rarely a point. In addition, the lag time between the drawing of lines and their display on the screen after a few seconds will eventually tire the most enthusiastic user.
It is the ultimate digital drawing tool, for beginners as well as for professionals. The graphics tablet is very powerful and can be used with any computer. Some users may suffer from hand-eye coordination problems at the beginning, but nothing insurmountable.Beyond its exceptional performance, the graphics tablet is easy to transport. In addition, it is generally more reasonably priced than a touchscreen tablet. As an example, a beginner should find his happiness with a budget of a hundred euros, including for major brands.On the other hand, the graphics tablet will be useless if you do not know how to draw or at least make photo editing. Indeed, this type of device reproduces your gestures on the screen and nothing else. It is impossible to control a graphics tablet other than with a pen, no matter if it has a screen or not. Finally, to make the use of software and the digital palette more fluid, you need at least an Intel Core i5 or even Core i7 processor, an Nvidia GTX 1050 or 1060 graphics card and 8 to 16 GB of RAM. Not to mention a large-capacity SSD to accommodate the programs installed in view of making them run faster.
The choice will depend on the budget available, the desired mobility and especially the use cases. For small sketches on the train or on the couch, a powerful tablet like the iPad Pro will do. If you're looking at more elaborate projects that require better finishing, a graphics tablet is the way to go.Some might be tempted by a convertible laptop for drawing. Unfortunately, you're in for a big disappointment. With its large touch screen, the convertible looks cool and practical. But it's expensive, lacks comfort for drawing and gets very hot.
A graphic tablet for beginners is the gateway to digital drawing. It allows you to draw, color, paint and erase as much as you need. Indeed, the style can be transformed at will into a brush or a pencil of various sizes. And the tablet makes it easy to sketch.
For editing photos.
A beginner's graphics tablet isn't just for drawing. You can also use it to edit images, which is why many photographers and graphic designers own one. In fact, the graphics tablet allows you to use the full potential of photo editing software like Photoshop.
To access the smallest details of the drawing.
A graphics tablet offers a resolution of around 2000 LPI. The zoom tool combined with this high level of detail gives access to any part of the drawing for exceptional sharpness. In addition, the eraser tool and the ctrl+z shortcut help you go back if you don't like the changes.
More convenient than a tablet and a mouse for drawing or writing.
The graphics tablet is drawing paper 2.0. The interaction between the drawing surface and the pen offers infinitely better ergonomics than a mouse or a laptop touchpad. Drawing strokes come naturally and with more precision. Moreover, the touch tablet also allows you to write on a digital document.
In our opinion, the best brands of graphic tablets for beginners in 2022 are :
This manufacturer, which appeared in 2000, is the ultimate choice if you want to buy a graphics tablet for beginners. Its production suits all budgets and covers all ranges. Huion offers an unbeatable quality/price ratio.
This brand dominates the graphic tablet market. With or without screen, its devices are mostly intended for professional graphic designers and are expensive. However, beginners can find happiness, especially with the Slate.
The Japanese manufacturer appeared in 2005, with the ambition of switching the traditional drawing to digital. With a very efficient R & D division, XP-Pen adapts its tablets to the user and not the other way around.
It is one of the best Chinese companies in the field of high technology. Still little known in Europe, Gaomon graphics tablets have arguments to put forward: competitive price, advanced technology...
The Spanish multinational is a must in the field of new technologies. It's no wonder that NGS is considered one of the best brands of graphic tablets, remarkable for their clean design.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Keep at it!
This is the best advice we can give you. Many people buy a graphics tablet for beginners, but are easily discouraged. As with any discipline, practice makes perfect. So, take your graphics tablet out of the box and use it!
Use different types of tips.
As an example, Wacom offers 4 types of nibs: standard, felt, hard felt and flexible nib. Experimenting with different tips will give you a better idea of which one is best for your project. And feel free to customize the pen settings.
Learn how to reduce fatigue.
Drawing takes a lot of time, which gets tiring over time. A good chair or office chair will be necessary, if possible with armrests to rest and stabilize your arms. This way, you can draw for hours and feel only a slight sensation of fatigue.
Use shortcuts.
Use one hand to draw and the other hand to press keyboard shortcuts. That way, you won't have to move the cursor back and forth to the toolbar. Not only does it save time, but it also helps you focus on retouching better.
Place the shelf in the middle of the stage.
Many beginners use their graphics tablet like a mouse, with the keyboard in front of them and the tablet on the right. This is convenient, but it doesn't allow for proper drawing. Place the graphics tablet in the center of the workspace, ideally at the drop of your hand that you use to draw.
The best graphics tablet depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out more.
Relax, the graphics tablets for beginners come with one or more suitable software. These include Artrage (digital painting), SketchBook or SketchPad (sketching), and Adobe Photoshop Elements (photo editing). There are also free software such as Gimp, Inkscape or MyPaint.
Yes, many offers include additional pens. Alternatively, you can buy additional tips, which is the lead that comes into contact with the drawing surface. Over time, this lead wears out or breaks, forcing you to replace it.
This step is necessary for the drawn lines to appear on the screen. The connection between the graphic tablet and the computer is done via USB or Bluetooth connection. Drivers must also be installed. These are supplied or downloadable and allow the tablet and the PC to work together.
There are graphics tablets at all prices, depending on the brand, model and options offered. For a beginner, a budget of a hundred euros is reasonable and already offers a wide choice of devices. For models with a screen, count at least 1,000 euros if you are looking for quality.
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