Tablets and drawing programs.

People can't draw not because they don't have talent, but because they don't have the type of practice or trainings on artistic principle that others have taken years to master, everyone can learn how to draw.

Drawing on a tablet is very different from drawing on papers, although in some sense it is mostly the same. The problem is that it feels and handles very differently when you moves to tablet, so it'll takes sometimes to get use to. You could very well spend more time drawing the same thing on a tablet then you could on a paper. However, if you know to take advantage of the digital medium, like hot-keying Undo and other tools such as layering, its possible to use tablet very effectively.

I am not sure what type of advice you are looking for though, are you looking for advice on purchasing something along that line, or are you just looking for suggestion on how to start drawing with the tablet you have? Are you looking for a program to pair with your tablet?

I just recently went paperless when drawing comics, but I am still getting use to doing that, even after having use a tablet for 3 or 4 years, during most of this time, I often draw something and ink it in real life, and then scan it in for coloring on a tablet. However, once you find a consistent program to create line arts that would imitate real life inking, then it makes it easier on the process.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

A tablet is certainly an investment. Depending on your budget, the price might be forbidden. Most would recommend stuff from Wacom, lower range from Graphire (about 200$) to higher end Intuos (as high as 2000$). Although I personally haven't use those, but I heard very good reviews from fellow graphic artist. Maybe you could look it up.

I have been using Aiptek Hyperpen, although its probably not something I could recommend, considering that specific parts broke easily when I got it (namely the stylist), and in which they sell replacement for.

As for the pose you are trying to draw, its not very complicated pose, you could easily jump on line and find a reference for it too. Lets start with a google search.

Base on the image that came up, one can deduct that this is the basic pose structure around this event: Start with pencil, sketch out basic frame work center around the main structure of this pose, her head, shoulder, arms and her spine curve are usually represented.

Laying out the basic structure of the pose, her back is arching over the cake, hands on the table,


With some reference, you can make out some basic expression, (although cartoonish ones) base on the reference you find on the net. With her mouth keep small with limited the airflow, but increase air pressure blouated her cheek.


Now the basic frame work of the image is complete, we can start constructing the character.
A. Neck muscular details that connect her head to the shoulder.
B. her chest, a approximation of the rib size going around.
C. Torso
D. A very approximation of the shoulder musculature (lightly) and arch arm with foreshortening.
E. a very simple hand place on the table.

and with this, we can start working on some characteristic details of this person that you are drawing. I am working in a drawing program, so I am switching pens and layers at this point. If you are in real life, use ink instead of pencil at this point.



And then clean up, if you want, add some color or shading.


How ya doing, buddy?