Need advice with buying Graphic tablet

[maple]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your input.   :)I have just upgraded to Paint Shop ProX2.  It is supposed to be more powerful than Photoshop Essentials, but not anywhere near the full Photoshop. Photoshop is much too expensive for me.   However PSPX2 is much less expensive. It only cost me $50. to upgrade and they threw in Paint Essentials with it. 

I can get Wacom Bamboo Fun for about $80.00.  I think that I will get it.  I find the mouse too clumsy.  I always wish that I could take out a pencil or pen and draw on the screen. 

Gadget, I loved your sketch.

Now the only thing that I have to decide is whether to get the 'Small' or the 'Medium'.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Thanks everyone
Th

[maple]

Hi Everyone,

I know what you mean by practice, practice.  I just did my first coloring the other day.  I got quite a thrill doing it, but know that it really isn't very good. For instance, the grass is much to garish.
 I have to learn all about layers, and RGB.  By the way, does anyone know why it is RGB and not RYB?  Then there are the transparencies to learn, and tons of other things, not to mention my trying to find out why the scratch remover doesn't work on one of my photos.

As you can see, I have a lot to learn, no matter what program I am using.

[Gadget]

I've got PSP XI as a fall back for PS CS2 and it's pretty good and comes with some rather nice gizmos. I don't know what XII is like.

In terms of size, get the largest one that you can afford 

My sketch - took me 7 years at Art School to get to that stage 


Gadget


PS - use the Saturation slider to reduce strength of the colours without altering the hue or tone 

[maple]

Hi Gadget,

Saturation slider!  That is another thing that I have to learn!  Oh well, if it was too easy, it probably wouldn't be as much fun.
I took some  College Art classes.  Even though I love doing art, I am not talented at it.  But it is something that I do for fun.

[Rachels]

  I find the mouse too clumsy.  I always wish that I could take out a pencil or pen and draw on the screen. 

That's precisely what I used to think, but using the graphics tablet pen is quite an extraordinary experience ~ not normal ! 

I don't think the size matters (for restoration) because you're going to be zoomed in and not moving around much.

You might consider buying a really cheap one for the moment to see how you get on with it ?
No idea where you are but our local supermarkets now sell inexpensive 'pen tablets' and they don't quibble about refunds !  Not that I'm suggesting anything 

Good luck 


Rachel

[Gadget]

I've found it exactly like using a pencil/pen. Maybe it''s how one holds one's pen. I know that Pels told me that she holds her pen/pencil  in a slightly different way than 'normal' which might interfere with the buttons, etc. on the graphics pen when held in the same way.


Gadget

[jc26red]

I bought mine from Amaz*n  and they stock the full range, might be worth checking out the customer reviews on the Wacom range, the Bamboo fun looks reasonably promising for the price range.

Jenny

ps... don't keep the tablet near anything warm as the tablet mat peels off    don't ask

[maple]

Hi Everybody,

I went ahead and ordered the Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet from Amazon.
  I got the small size.  It comes with software for Photoshop Elements 6, Corel Painter 4, and Nik Color Efex. 
I probably won't install the software.  I already have Corel Painter, which came with my update to PSPX2, and have so many programs on my computer as it is.
If you wish, after I get used to it, I will keep you updated on whether or not I like it.
The tablet mat peals off?!  Luckily, I don't have anything hot near my computer.

[jc26red]

Maple,

I would also suggest you try Elements 6 for restoring/colouring when it arrives. You may find it easier than PSPX2.   Many of us use Elements as well as CS2 and can give advise on it.
For restoring, you don't need half the tools, filters etc that are available of these graphics packages unless you are into designing.  For straight forward restores and colouring I use Elements but transfer over to CS2 or PSP for just one or two of features that are not available in Elements.

I can't remember how the mat peeled but it was my error.  I shall have to install it on this pc to make sure it still works, I don't think it affected the working of the tablet, I places some heavy objects ontop of it afterwards and it stuck back down again...

Jenny

yes do let us know how you get one with it and show us some of your restores please