Graphic Tools for Digital Art
Once we’ve come to terms with our ‘inner self’ and decide on what exactly it is we want to do on the Internet following our Purpose and Passion, part of our Business Plan is to equip ourselves properly to at least give ourselves the means to become as good as possible - even an expert - in our specific field of knowledge.
Which doesn’t mean that buying the best equipment makes us an instant expert, however, just as we cannot win the Formula 1 with a rusty beetle, we cannot expect to do wonders without the right professional tools.
Digital Tablets and Digital Pens
Although “. . . it all began with a mouse. . .” as Walt Disney said, and we all use it in various versions … and this with more or less ease. . . , when it comes to the digital manipulation of images, pictures or photos - like in Photo Retouche for instance, a huge market as no picture in any glossy magazine gets around the magic retouche mill - and from here to professional Digital Advertising and Digital Art etc - this is when a mouse is not enough and you need a tool that’s much closer to how we as artists used to work: holding a crayon, pen, brush, airbrush or the like between our fingers and working on a drawing table (let’s excluse painters standing in front of their easles).
This is the way we optimally control the creation to appear on paper or - applying this to the Graphic Computer - : on the screen. . . our sensibility directing its inner flow… that finds it’s instant expression without any material obstructions.
"Troll" for TrigoPlus by Bianca Gubalke
Digital Image of a “Troll”
Although I’ve developed quite some skill with the mouse (. . . just surpassed by MadMax, my cat) - I’ve been working with an Intuos WACOM tablet a while ago when I designed a “Troll” for our TrigoPlus Project . . . and since then I know the difference!
If you intend to build a career creating digital pictures, there is no way around a digital tablet and digital pens - starting with one, but that won’t be the only one you use… just as we had different forms of crayons, brushes, pencils, pens, aurbrushes etc - it’s just part of your toolbox to create your own ‘cuisine’ as I used to call it… and I really went to work with all sorts of tools, materials and colours. From here you may find and then develop your own style, something that defines and differentiates you - or just simply do proper, clean, professional work.
Now, a big WACOM tablet - ideally Intuos - is of course the best and nothing beats it - but you may not have the space, or you want to be mobil with your laptop, or you have some financial constraints.
However, WACOM has come up with a sort of ’simplified’ yet highly sophisticated small tablet that provides you with all you need - and this at a very fair price.
Do you believe in ‘coincidences’?
Well, I think we ’cause them to happen’ if we just focus our intent and/or desire long enough on the matter - and in my case it was definitely a WACOM tablet (and none other…) and of course the NIKON Coolpix P90 :)
The question was: while both are essential, which one first?
While I can easily get a digital camera here in the land of endless beauty when it comes to motives… there’s not even an official agent for WACOM here, at least I could not dig him out.
However, when going to my PC shop to get a new headset, something made me ask anyway - and, totally unexpectedly… I was shown the BAMBOO - brand-new and stunningly beautiful… a WACOM tablet and pen.
Irresistible!
Preciousness, Precision and Personalization
Needless to say where it is now… but I must applaud the producer for the precious packaging appealing directly to the senses! What a delight to literally peel the contents from an elegant, black, precious looking box with equally elegantly printed layers of papers and sachets… until the BAMBOO appears in almost lacquered black with a pen that lies ergonomically perfectly in one’s hand and those incomparable blue little lights like from out-of-space….
Quote WACOM:
“Bamboo is uniquely intuitive
Bamboo is a new way of working. It will let you use all your usual applications as well as do things on your computer that have never before been possible. The pen makes it easy and intuitive, and your experience as natural as using an ordinary pen. The ergonomics help say goodbye to sore hands. Try it. You′ll be amazed at what Bamboo can do – and by what you can do with Bamboo.
Express yourself. Make it personal.
The documents you create don′t have to be like all the rest. With Bamboo, it′s personal. You can add your own distinctive touches with handwritten notes, sketches, signatures and doodles. Bamboo sets you apart. Make it personal.
Want to know more about what you can do with Bamboo?
What you can do?
Free your imagination
Unleash your creativity with Bamboo, at work and at home. Paint, draw, retouch and create, making your work uniquely your own. Free your imagination, discover what you can do… ”
Smart Educational Tutorials
All this is accompanied by a CD with a well-designed Tutorial taking you through the main features… but only allowing you to proceed if you accomplished the tasks correctly. Educational and simply Fun!
Of course, it takes some time to get used and adapt to working with a pen again, but ideally you work with both. I’ve just started discovering or in a way ‘re-discovering’ how it feels… sort of getting on a racing horse when being used to a pony!
Not that a mouse is a pony… and I really will not separate from it, however… a new era starts and a faster and more professional one for sure!
It’s BAMBOO Time now!
. . .