Artist Tech #0: Tablet PCs are for Artists

I started drawing using paper.   For the most of us, pen tablets and tablet PCs did not come until we started working professionally.  I remember using the ball mouse to color my scanned art work in Photoshop, and create vector art work and animate in Flash.  Since the future of artwork, animation, painting and design will eventually be most reliant with computers, I only dreamt of that day when it is possible to create something that you cannot really touch.

My first experience with a Wacom Tablet was in my first job with Philippine Animation Studios.  I found it awesome that I could draw on a piece (slab) of plastic with sensors and I would directly see it in my tube monitor.  I was so excited.  That was only 7 years ago.  Three years ago I started working in a company that provided us with Cintiqs, another Wacom product where the sensors are mounted on top of a display, making your monitor a huge digital canvas.  The Cintiq is an artist’s luxury and at the same time, comfort. .  It was even better than a regular tablet, since it allows you to draw directly on the screen and you’ll see where your pen (stylus) is going, you can see your hand, and the lines that you’re working on. 

Now, I am using a Samsung Series 7 Slate for drawing, sketching and designing.  If the Cintiqs are screens that you can draw on, this device is a screen that you can carry around and draw on.  The advantage of this is it does not require a computer to function.  It is a full-fledged computer that you can carry around.   This is not your common iPad or Android tablet, this is a PC.   It has a full version of Windows and can run Photoshop and Sketchbook Pro with ease.   I find myself doing crazy artwork and lines with it every day.  Though there is still something special when it comes to drawing on paper, but the comfort and the convenience of having it in digital form is something to be appreciated, especially from an artist’s point of view.  I guess what I am saying is, artists and future artists today have it easy. 

For all you artists out there, here’s what I have to say about the Series 7 Slate:

“It is what you need to draw.”

Don’t even worry about your status if other artists don’t see you using a Macbook Pro.  Efficiency is the key.  Why would you spend $1500 up to get a machine just as powerful as a $600 laptop that has similar performance?  Although I have been tempted many times to get a Macbook Pro, it was not a worthy investment at that time.  Firstly, I was still making my way up to the industry so I really do not need luxury.  Secondly, I cannot justify the price of getting a Macbook Pro as an investment.  It is way too expensive for a product that’s going to be refreshed the year after.  Lastly, I was unemployed. 

Although Macs are very efficient machines,  they're really not interested in creating tablet Macs, or Windows just got the patent or copyright.  Who knows?   They did, however, release the ModBook Pro -- which is a 13" MBP fitted with the Wacom Penabled Screens (found on most Tablet PCs), and costs like $3000.  Do you want to get that?  And you don’t really need one when you are still trying to pursue art or design.  

My advice for aspirants out there (who don't own a MacBook Pro to begin with, grab a piece of paper, pen or pencil and imagine.  Be creative and unique. And be contented.

So with those reasons and justifications in mind, I settled for the Slate.  It is indeed a worthy investment.  I am a techie and an artist, so this “Slate” is not the number 1 on my list of machines, but owning and using it for 2-3 months, I say it’s enough. 

The Slate does not come with a keyboard or a mouse, although you can get the keyboard separately.  It’s a touch screen and has a Wacom screen.  It will get you really productive since the canvas will be all up in your face.  The size is decent and the brightness is enough.  It comes with a stylus, and 5 tip replacements. 

I cannot recommend this for professional artists who need to do really heavy artwork or painting.  Production work for film and 3d animation is definitely out of the equation, even 3d modeling.  You can do that on your workstation or your laptop, but not this one. This device is for artists on the go and don’t mind working on an 11.6” screen.

There will be more tablets on the horizon since Windows 8 is just around the corner.  Make sure you get a tablet with Windows 8 Pro and at least a Core i5 processor.  Do not settle for those Atom ones since they will not be efficient for all Adobe tools, unless it’s the mobile version.  Yeah, any questions or comments, I’ll be glad to answer.  Let me know in the comments or send me a message.

My goal is to help the Art Community get acquainted with the tools and devices that are efficient and worth it at the same time.  Not all artists will move towards being mobile anytime soon, and   not all artists are techies, or know about computers.  I am here to help out.