Key Points
- A new drawing tablet doesn’t necessarily make you a better artist, as it may only hide your flaws instead of improving your skills.
- Coloring art on a tablet may not provide all the colors you want, and hand-drawing can produce more natural results.
- Cost is a significant factor, with drawing tablets ranging from $80 to $3,000, and waiting for prices to drop can save money.
- Your needs might change over time, so it’s essential to evaluate your requirements before purchasing a tablet.
- Software compatibility can be an issue, as technology advances may render tablets incompatible with certain software.
Ask any art enthusiast, and they’ll tell you drawing tablets are a must-have. Their ability to catapult your digital art pieces to the next level is unrivaled. Unfortunately, while it’s possible to produce impressive digital artwork from any drawing tablet, many assume that using the latest tablet translates into better results. However, nothing could be further from the truth, so we highlight the seven reasons to avoid a new drawing tablet today.
Besides explaining to you that you should reconsider buying a new drawing tablet, our experts will delve briefly into the background of drawing tablets and the alternatives you may want to consider.
Some Background on Drawing Tablets
Drawing or graphic tablets are devices photographers and artists can use to make precise pen paths and brush strokes, like drawing on paper. Artists use digitized drawing pads and a stylus, but a drawing tablet replaces them.
Moreover, using a drawing tablet feels more precise and natural than using a mouse, so the gadget can help improve your digital artwork. If you find a computer mouse too jerky or want to avoid repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, you’ll find a drawing tablet’s smooth flow refreshing.
Drawing tablets come in different sizes, and you can get anything from small 6.5″ models to larger 19″ models. If you’re a professional designer or architect, you can opt for the larger 35.6 by 35.6″ tablets. The size determines the cost of drawing tablets, with larger ones costing more than smaller ones.
Reasons to Avoid a New Drawing Tablet Today
Swift mouse usage and touch typing are second nature to most old-school artists. However, more artists are embracing tech and thus opting for drawing tablets to help them retouch their artworks. With newer and more advanced drawing tablets entering the market daily, you’ll undoubtedly ask yourself, do I need a new drawing tablet?
Well, if you prefer the old methods of creating art or have an older-model graphic tablet and want an upgrade, there are several reasons to reconsider your decision. That said, here are our seven reasons to avoid an HD drawing tablet today:
1. A New Drawing Tablet Doesn’t Make You a Better Artist
Irrespective of how good you are as an artist, it’s difficult to attain perfection. Sometimes while doing what you love, your sketches will get messier with each detail you try to add. The desire to have a graphic tablet will likely set in when this happens. Some artists perceive graphic tablets as non-destructive erasers that help hide the flaws in their work, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Having the latest-model drawing tablet doesn’t refine your artistry or make you a better artist—it merely hides your flaws. For example, if your lines look messy, it doesn’t mean you should grab a tablet and try to correct them. Instead, it implies your skills aren’t at par and thus need some refining.
An effective way to correct your flaws isn’t to make them disappear. Rather, you should learn how to avoid them in the first place. So, buying an Amazon Fire HD Tablet or something similar is an escape and the easy way out. Unfortunately, it only hides your flaws as an artist rather than improving your skill set.
2. You May Not Get All the Colors You Want
If you ask any artist why they want a new drawing tablet, they’ll argue it will help them color their drawings better. Although that sounds like a good reason to upgrade to a new drawing tablet, color is a complex subject. Unlike what you used to do as a child, coloring art isn’t about filling an area. Instead, it entails decorating your artwork with different hues in a controlled way.
Indeed, that new tablet will help you get proficient at workarounds and enable you to create anything. However, there’s more to art than the conveniences offered by drawing tablets. Drawing on a tablet doesn’t mean you can draw, and the only way to make your artwork as natural as possible is to ditch that graphic and do it by hand. A drawing tablet could be harmful to your progress in the long run.
3. Cost
One of the primary reasons to avoid a new drawing tablet is cost. There is a tablet for every budget, with the price range being $80 to $3,000. Of course, prices depend on features, size, brand, and other parameters. Like most tech gadgets, a lowly-priced tablet may lack essential features and functionality like USB-C compatibility.
Although there’s something for every budget, you may not get the tablet you desire if you have other priorities or are on a tight budget. In this case, you’re better off avoiding buying a new drawing tablet now. Instead, hold off on the purchase until you have enough money. Moreover, as new tablet models replace their older versions, it’s highly likely that the tablet you currently desire, but find too expensive, will drop in price. Thus, you’ll save money if you wait a little longer until the prices become more affordable.
4. Your Needs Might Change
As art evolves, so do the creators’ needs. For instance, if you’re experimenting with digital arts, you’re better off exploring different techniques before considering a graphic tablet. Moreover, putting off the decision to purchase a tablet will go a long way in helping you refine your craft and determine whether or not digital art is a long-term goal.
In addition, our experts recommend that once you decide to pursue digital art, you shouldn’t be in a rush to get your hands on a drawing tablet. Your needs will likely change over time, so an expensive tablet will be of little use. For this reason, take time to evaluate your needs in relation to the features and functionalities you want in a tablet. You’re likely to avoid buying a new drawing tablet today.
5. Software Compatibility
A drawing tablet is designed to work with software like Corel Painter, Clip Studio Art, and Adobe Photoshop. Nevertheless, tech advances sometimes render tablets incompatible with the software. So, when software requirements change and your drawing tablet’s version becomes incompatible, you won’t be able to use the gadget.
In this regard, you’re better off waiting before buying a tablet. In so doing, there’s a guarantee that whatever you get is compatible with the latest software and that you won’t have any potential limitations and issues. Drawing tablets for professional artists can be quite expensive, and the last thing you want is to get stuck with a model that doesn’t work with the latest software versions.
6. New Tablets Lack User Reviews
Before you buy anything, the rule of thumb is to conduct thorough research. There’s no better way to do so than going through user reviews. Unfortunately, a downside of buying a recently-released drawing tablet is that there won’t be any detailed user reviews on which to base your purchasing decision.
Such tablets have been used extensively, and it’s easy to find user reviews and comparisons that provide valuable insights on whether to purchase or not. Reading about other users’ experiences will help you identify your expectations when searching for a graphic tablet. Otherwise, there’s a risk of purchasing a tablet that seems incredible but is useless as far as your expectations are concerned.
7. Technology Changes
Drawing tablets keep evolving and improving, and what’s in vogue today won’t be that fashionable or functional several years later. As with other electronic gadgets, newer models typically have enhanced features such as refined pressure sensitivity, more connectivity options, and better screen resolution.
Spending your hard-earned bucks on a new drawing tablet today may prevent you from buying more advanced models when they get released. Thus, waiting a little longer allows you to own a drawing tablet with the most advanced tech and functionality. Such tablets guarantee a refined user experience, better results, and longer usability.
Alternatives to Drawing Tablets
Now that we’ve highlighted the reasons to avoid a new drawing tablet, you’ll undoubtedly want to know the alternatives. Well, there are multiple alternatives to drawing pencils, and here are the top ones recommended by our experts:
Pen Displays
- 1920x1080p full HD resolution
- Comes with 8 fully customizable shortcut keys
- Up to 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity
- Superb color accuracy
If you’re looking for an alternative to drawing tablets with an integrated screen, look no further than pen displays. With these, you use a stylus to draw directly on the screen. Notable pen display brands include XP-Pen Artist Pro and Wacom Cintiq.
Interactive Whiteboards
- Affordable option
- QHD (2560x1440P) display
- Adjustable with an ergonomic stand
- VESA compatible
These are similar to what’s used in boardrooms and classrooms and can also be drawing surfaces. Interactive whiteboards typically have stylus pens and integrated software, allowing you to sketch on the surface directly. They may not offer the functionality of graphic tablets, but they’re cheaper and better at helping you refine your craft. The Ideao Hub 24″ Interactive Whiteboard can be an excellent option if you’re considering an interactive whiteboard.
Touchscreen Devices
- 10.5" LCD screen
- Access to Samsung Kids, a library of safe and fun games, books and videos
- Large 7,040mAh battery
- 32 GB flash memory
Most touchscreen devices, including 2-in-1 laptops and tablets, are designed to enable you to draw on the screen directly with a stylus. As a result, you can save money using your current touchscreen device rather than upgrading to a costly drawing tablet. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is one touchscreen device you can count on to create nice artwork.
Touchpad Devices
- Features Pro Pen technology
- Compact design
- Includes an ergonomic pen
- Customizable 8 Express Keys
Any touchpad device with a touch-sensitive screen can be used for sketching. This includes popular devices like the Wacom Intuos Pro Touch. These devices are a more portable and compact alternative to conventional drawing tablets, some of which have too-large screen sizes.
7 Reasons to Avoid a New Drawing Tablet Today: Wrapping Up
Drawing tablets are useful to artists and photographers, but buying a new one is never the wisest decision. There are many reasons to avoid a new drawing tablet. Think carefully and consider your options before making a purchasing decision.
Summary Table
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. A New Drawing Tablet Doesnât Make You a Better Artist | It only hides your flaws, not improve your skills. |
| 2. You May Not Get All the Colors You Want | Coloring is more complex than just filling an area. |
| 3. Cost | Prices range from $80 to $3,000, and waiting can save money. |
| 4. Your Needs Might Change | Take time to evaluate your needs and the tablet’s features. |
| 5. Software Compatibility | Ensure the tablet is compatible with the latest software versions. |
| 6. New Tablets Lack User Reviews | Wait for detailed user reviews before making a decision. |
| 7. Technology Changes | Waiting allows you to own a tablet with the most advanced tech and functionality. |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/scyther5.
