Table of Contents
What Tablet Do Artists Use?
Are you looking for the right drawing tablets? It’s a more difficult job than you would have expected. There’s a plethora of choices available, and even though you factor in your particular requirements and budget, you’ll most likely find yourself with many feasible options. So, how do you decide?
You can become a graphic designer through Blue Sky Graphics online graphic design course starting today!
We created this guide to assist artists at all levels, from practising veterans searching for the next step up to absolute newcomers who are totally green in the world of drawing tablets. Our guide has it all, if you want a dedicated surface for drawing and nothing else, or a more rounded tablet that you can use to stream Netflix after work.
XP-Pen
There will be lots from Wacom, who are market leaders in this region, but don’t rule out other manufacturers. Competitors such as XP-Pen and Huion are manufacturing excellent tablets at rates designed to undercut Wacom, so considering their goods might save you money.
If you want your tablet to do more than just sketch, we’ve even got the best iPad for drawing right now. It comes at a price, of course, but it is well worth it for the sheer consistency. An iPad is unquestionably a versatile instrument for designers, with a multi-functional stylus and a plethora of drawing tools at your hands.
Take a peek at our guide for a variety of tablets to find the level that’s perfect for you. If you’re looking for a gift for a child, be sure to check out our roundup of the best drawing tablets for kids for all the little artists in your life.
Cintiq 22 Wacom
In its Cintiq 22 drawing tablet, Wacom has achieved what we believe to be the perfect combination between versatility and affordability. The big, Full HD drawing screen is a joy to use, giving you plenty of room to create long, sweeping pen strokes. The surface is also well-designed, with an anti-glare coating, and the included Wacom Pen 2 has extensive pressure and tilt sensitivity, allowing you to capture even the smallest differences in angle and movement. It’s also a lot of fun to use, and it’s as suitable for musicians just starting out as it is for experienced pros trying to improve.
If you need any higher consistency, look into the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24. However, for the best combination between price and flexibility, we believe the Wacom Cintiq 22 is currently at the top of the list.
12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro (2020)
For 2020, Apple redesigned the outstanding iPad Pro 12.9, and this class-leading tablet now runs better than ever due to the latest A12Z Bionic processor with an 8-core graphics system. Drawing using the Apple Pencil – which you would pay extra for – is a sublime process, and there are many intuitive touches that make the artist’s existence simpler, such as instantly charging the pencil when it is clipped to the magnetic storing strip at the top of the tablet. With a pitch-perfect pain response curve, the Apple Pencil is also extremely accurate and just feels right. Of course, much of this technology isn’t inexpensive, but if you can afford it, the iPad Pro 12.9 is an unrivalled drawing partner.
XP-Pen Artist 15.6 pen display
The XP-Pen Artist 15.6 has all you might like in a pen display: a large drawing space, a stable pen with a variety of sensitivity levels, and a decent screen. You don’t have Wacom’s attention to detail or sophisticated ecosystem of extras, and the offset between the stylus tip and the on-screen cursor takes some getting used to, but this is still a pen monitor that will turn your visual imagination without breaking the bank.
The XP-Pen Artist 15.6 pen monitor, hands-down one of the best inexpensive drawing tablets right now, is a great beginner tablet or a decent option for someone looking for an inexpensive upgrade.
Huion Kamvas Pro 24
Huion updated its portfolio in 2020 for the slick new Kamvas series of drawing tablets, with the Kamvas Pro 24 at the top of the line. Although being less expensive than big-ticket tablets like the iPad Pro 12.9, it has some serious features, like a 1440p QHD monitor that looks just stunning. Its colours are vibrant, and its specifics are razor-sharp; it’s truly a pleasure to look at.
The supplied stylus with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity enhances the drawing experience on the Kamvas Pro 24. You have a large, satisfying workspace to operate in, and the tablet covers 120 percent of the sRGB colour gamut, displaying 16.7 million colours and ensuring your picture is still made perfectly.
Since this is a completely new tablet, it’s usually for sale at regular price, and the asking price is very high. For the same price, you can get one of the multi-functional tablets on our chart, so it’s worth considering if you want to spend that much money on anything so specialised. However, this is one of the most enjoyable drawing opportunities available right now.
XP-Pen Artist Pro 24
As we’ve shown, there are a plethora of high-quality specialised tablets in the 24-inch range. The Artist Pro 24 is XP-edition, Pen’s but how does it compare to the stiff rivalry from Wacom, Huion, and others?
Overall, it went fairly good! It has the same QHD resolution as the Huion Kamvas Pro 24, as well as the same pressure response of the stylus, though the Huion edges it out somewhat in terms of responsiveness. The two are actually eligible for roughly the same price – both far less than the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 – but we may anticipate it to change with time.
The XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro’s show is an amazing piece of hardware, capable of showing up to 90% AdobeRGB. It’s a big piece of equipment; spread it out on your desk and you won’t be able to see anything of it. A stand at the back allows you to raise the height, which might use a couple more increments, but this is just splitting hairs. The XP-Pen Artist Pro 24 is an excellent option for those searching for a professional-grade tablet at a reasonable price.
