• From: Texas
  • Registered: 2005-03-20
  • Posts: 7

Topic: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

I've recently picked up sketching and doodling after many years of not (read: marriage, moves, baby, life, etc.)  What I'd love to do is go digital; I've played with it a bit, but I don't know half of what the software I have can do, and--other than experimenting and maybe getting some good Dummy books?--don't know where to start. What I have right now is Paint Shop Pro 8 (it's all that fit my budget a year ago--or now, for that matter), but my understanding of how layers and masks and just wrangling all of the things to paint with is foggy at best. Yes, that is how green I am.

I guess for starters I was wondering what the best way to start taking a sketch from paper to Paint Shop or the like might be. (And on the note of Paint Shop Pro--does anyone work with it? And is it really a notch down from Photoshop or is Photoshop really so much better that it's worth the buck$?) Do scanners work well for that? Sketching something with the actual software is something I'm not grasping... I'm good with a mouse, but not good enough to make those paint brush tools bend to my will the way I'd like. So far I've been using the line tools a lot, and surely that is more painstaking and slow than it needs to be?

I've also been looking into a Wacom Pen Tablet (the Graphire3, lesser version). Does anyone have one of these, and are they really very useful? Am I dreaming to think it will help me get a basic sketch onto the computer any faster or more easily?

Tips, how-to book suggestions, and anything else would be appreciated. Thanks!

Quote Post 1

  • From: nyc
  • Registered: 2005-03-19
  • Posts: 3

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Personally i dont know how anyone works with art on the computer without a wacom. Anything that requires actual drawing on a computer is insanely easier. The only way to draw with a mouse is to use "vectors" which means using the pen tool in whatever program you are using.

At one job I had everyone uses cintique tablets, where you actually draw on the screen. People who have those have said that they are like silk boxers, you can never go back. I have used them and still love my trusty wacom.

Something that I have learned... At my first job that had wacoms my boss got the biggest kind available thinking the wider range of movement would make them better. Thats not true! In my experience the smallest size wacom works way better then any other size. save your money. the graphire 3 is all anyone could ever need (unless you want to blow two grand on that cintique thing).

My process is usually I draw an idea on paper. then i trace it on the light table in ink. then i scan it in and color it in photoshop. I make a layer beneath the original ink layer and color there, setting the ink layer to "multiply". I dont know anything about "Paintshop".

sssnole's Website

Quote Post 2

  • nic
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2004-11-30
  • Posts: 85

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Hi,

I think a wacom is a must!  I used to draw with a mouse, but this is like drawing with a pencil, once you get used to the fact that you are not looking at your hand...

I started off with paint shop pro 5, it was a pretty good program and very useful for learning layers etc.  Most of my digital learning was done through messing about in paint shop pro.  There is probably a help section, so I suggest working your way through it.  Try out new things, you never know when you will get a 'eureka' moment.  Major discoveries for me were layers, selections (magic wand tool is good) and vectors.  I would use paint shop pro until you feel that it can't do what you want.  No point on spending the extra for photoshop or painter until you have got to grips with digital.

To take a sketch into digital, I scan it in at actual size (100%) at 300dpi - this is good for most applications, but if you are only doing it for web viewing it is best at 72dpi.

Open it in paintshop, go from there.  I'm going to have a look at my old paintshop program to see what you can do about 'cleaning up' the sketch, I'll come back to you on that one. 

I use layers like sssnole for colouring, with the ink layer on top.  Setting the ink layer to 'multiply' means that the white parts of the drawing become transparent.

Best way to learn it is just to use it!

chillies and chocolate

nic's Website

Quote Post 3

  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2005-03-20
  • Posts: 7

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Thank you both for your help, re: both the Wacom tablets and Paintshop/Photoshop advice. :)  I'm glad to know the Graphire3's are worth the money (and that bigger is not necessarily better, since I was wanting to get the 4X5 size.) Trying to track down a graphite gray tablet at a nearby computer store right now. I could order it online, but I'm not that patient. ;)

Quote Post 4

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2005-03-30
  • Posts: 20

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Hi there,
I've been lurking here a while reading the great forum but thought I'd get my first post in here!

I think I'm in a similar place to you Jamie - I used to sketch a lot and for some reason have recently got a creative bug again. I've struggled getting decent sketches onto the computer though and without a decent scanner I've had to rely on my less than adequate digital camera. (Though for this weeks topic I think it helped me get the look I wanted!)

I've been opening the digital image in Photoshop and either cleaning it straight up in there, or for my character stuff effectively tracing pen strokes on a new layer. I must try the method of multiplying layers beneath tho..

All this would be so much easier with a tablet though. I've seen a few versions available with extra software etc. - is all the software necessary or are cheaper bundles still ok?

Mystery Monster

nickheyward's Website

Quote Post 5

  • nic
  • Member
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  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2004-11-30
  • Posts: 85

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

My wacom came bundled with Painter Classic, which was great and meant I could buy the upgrade version of Painter 8...not sure if you can upgrade from Classic to Painter IX though?

chillies and chocolate

nic's Website

Quote Post 6

7 Reply by Jacque Davis

  • Jacque Davis
  • Member

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

I use a Wacom Graphire and Painter 8, drawing directly into the computer. I wrote a lot about how I use it ( size, resolution, etc.) on this page of my web site. http://webpages.charter.net/jlddavis/page2.html

Quote Post 7

  • From: The Bays of Delaware U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2004-12-04
  • Posts: 118

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Jamie you are not alone. It seems there are quite a few30,40 and 50 somethings getting back into their art!
I, for one, am working on a new career as an Illustrator while still working full time as a visual merchandiser in two states and 7 stores! tHAT'S 450 HOURS ON THE ROAD...SO i HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO THINK ABOUT PROJECTS. (Sorry- caps locks stuck) Anyhoo...my art lessons in college were all on old fashioned paper. Drawn with graphite not graphire! LOL
I have a two year in computers from 83/84 so getting my Wacom was quite a change! I am still learning...but I LOVE it!! I have the 9x12. It is a bit much...but it does the trick. I will say this...my scanner(s) has been on the fritz and I miss that more than anything. I notice people here tend to comment on Illos that have been scanned and are crisp. That should illustrate how important it is to have one!
Good luck!

"I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living."
Ann Morrow Lindbergh quotes

Online Sketchbook http://pinkinkandjello.blogspot.com/

wee Ellen's Website

Quote Post 8

  • nic
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2004-11-30
  • Posts: 85

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Ellen, what is a visual merchandiser?

chillies and chocolate

nic's Website

Quote Post 9

  • blue
  • Banned
  • Offline
  • From: St. Ives, Cornwall, UK
  • Registered: 2005-03-31
  • Posts: 3

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Hi Jamie,

Welcome to team Wacom! Hope you got the Graphire 3 by now.  I've been using Wacoms since 1996, started with an early ADB Wacom, then upgraded to a Graphire [the original] when I got my first iMac [which I still have], wore that out finally about ten days ago, and after much debate and research about whether to go for Wacom Graphire 3, or Wacom Intuos 3, then what size, I finally elected to buy the A6 Wacom Intuos 3 [which was delivered within 18 hours, by ComputerBits].  I have been using it for about a week now, and I love it, it's way more sensitive than the Graphire, and has tilt sensitivity, it is great for Photoshop features, and particularly Painter brushes.  The drawing surface feels just right, although different from the Graphire.

Starting out though, you'll go a long way with the Graphire, it's a great choice, and with Paint Shop Pro, along with Painter Classic [bundled with the Graphire], you'll learn all the techniques you'll need, the rest is just practice and refinement. All the advice on layers etc, in Painter and Photoshop so far, pretty much cover the answer you need. Sounds like you'll be looking for that scanner upgrade next, you can get a good scanner at a very reasonable price these days, just ensure compatibility with your operating system and software. I'm afraid it's all downhill so far as your bank balance goes from here on!

Remember, ultimately, it's the artist, not the tools that count, so enjoy experimenting with your new tool, it will take you to the next level. it's like all the fun you had as a kid, learning to draw and paint, all over again, enjoy...

life is but a dream...
http://www.blueskystudio.co.uk

blue's Website

Quote Post 10

  • From: The Bays of Delaware U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2004-12-04
  • Posts: 118

Re: Software and scanners and (Wacom) tablets--oh my!

Nic,
A "Visual Merchandiser" is someone who does and maintains displays for retail stores. I use to be exclusive to one retail establishment. Now I represent almost 60 companies. I am in the "do-it-yourself" home improvement industry in flooring and wall tile specifically.

"I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living."
Ann Morrow Lindbergh quotes

Online Sketchbook http://pinkinkandjello.blogspot.com/

wee Ellen's Website

Quote Post 11