How to Use a Drawing Tablet for Beginners

Are you a graphic designer that is new to the world of using drawing tablets for your graphics work? Well, not to worry. Making the change from a drawing paper and pencil to a drawing tablet comes with its own challenges and might take a bit more time for you to master and get used to. For most, the transition is usually quite frustrating as it involves using a pen instead of a mouse.

While holding a pen and drawing on a piece of paper is much easy and natural, using a pen for a tablet can feel quite unnatural. Below are a few tips on how to use a drawing tablet for beginners.

Focus on the screen

Using a pencil or pen tends to make you look down at your drawing paper. However, with a pen and drawing tablet, you will need to keep looking at the screen to see what you are drawing. And while it can be a bit challenging at first, don’t give up just yet. Experienced graphic designers who have used their drawing tablets for a longtime swear by them for pretty much all of their tasks. Besides the pen being more ergonomic, it also gives you precise control.

Familiarize yourself

While you can read as much as you can about the benefits of using a pen with your drawing tablet over a mouse, it doesn’t mean the switch will be easier. This is because the mouse if familiar and you have learned how to navigate all your computer software with it. But before you quit on your pen, set some time aside to familiarize yourself with the pen and tablet when you don’t have real work pressure. Try it out when deadlines aren’t around the corner and try out different settings. While you won’t learn all the bells and whistles in one night, you will realize you can use it even though it’s a bit different.

Settings

Every designer using a drawing tablet has the perfect settings that make their drawing on a tablet very smooth and efficient. That said; configure both your tablet and pen settings to suit you. Such settings include the button functions and sensitivity. However, to find the perfect settings that work for you, you will need to experiment until you find the settings that work well for your type of design work.

Go with the flow

One huge mistake most beginners make when transitioning from paper to a drawing tablet and pen is trying to make the switch under the pressure of a looming deadline from a client. You cannot learn a new tool or how it is supposed to work effectively when you are under duress. That said, find the time when you don’t have any deadlines to meet and spend it learning your new device.

Warm up

Every day as you continue learning your tablet and pen, do a little warm-up such as playing a quick game or writing your name before you begin working as it’ll enable you to become comfortable with the pen and tablet. Also, make a conscious thought that the pen comes first and the mouse second and your mind will slowly adjust to this new routine.

References:

• Secret Asian Man
• Wacom.com