Hey people,

I am going to get me one of them pens for the computers. Thought I would see if you`s knew of a good beginners pen to start off with?

If so thanks

Stuart Hazley

If you are refereing to a graphics tablet, the only kind to buy in my opinion are Wacom. They come in several different sizes and flavors depending on your requirements.

www.wacom.com

I personally use a 6x8 Wacom Intuos tablet. :)

if your looking for a beginners tablet, probably the Graphire2 would do you.
I reviewed one here:
http://www.overclockers.com.au/techstuff/r_graphire2/

Hope that helps

I started out with a calcomp 4x5 tablet and that worked ok for a while but it didn't give me the precision I was looking for and it really wasn't big enough for the type of work I do. I then switched to an Intuos 2 12x12 (USB) which makes Steeldolphin drool. I had to because I had tedonitis in my right hand from using the mouse (I'm left handed though). It was either get the tablet or a new career. I was able to use it as a medical expense on my taxes so it saved me some money there.

There is a test at www.wacom.com to find the best size for your use and style.
I have a 19 inch monitor, do lots of precise page layout and when doing art prefer broad sweeping strokes.

Another nice thing found on the larger tablets is the quick point feature. It's a 2 by 3.5 inch square on the right or left bottom on the tablet surface that works sort of like a mini tablet. So for traditional mouse activities I use it and for more precision I use the rest of the area which is about 9x12.

One thing you should think about is desk space. The 9x12 and 12x12 take about the same amount of space and that is a lot.

I use my tablet on the pc & mac with no problems, the only thing I found was that the drivers for my old tablet and new one conflicted so I can't have both installed at the same time.

Hope some of this helps :)

Thanks for the help everyone :)

http://www.wacom-europe.com/uk/products/intuos2/intuos_a4_reg.asp

I really like the look of this one....only thing is I can`t seem to find the price of it :S

Also, there doesn`t seem to be a place in Northern Ireland that sells these tablets :/

So, by any chance could anyone point me to a site that I can order one?

Thanks again

I know you might no want to do this, but you'll find the best deal on ebay.com

lol, Dan you becoming an ebay junkie? :D

A lot of profesional painters use the 6x8 A5 size. Even with double monitor setups. Thats because you can work faster with a small tablet, like you can work faster with your mouse set to a fast speed instead of a slow one. Youll get used to the size (just like the speed of a mouse) pretty quickly, and it doesnt tire you out as much. Big tablets are good for 3d artists, I dont know why because Im not a 3d artist, but Ive just heard from a lot of people that its best to have a big assed tablet for 3d work (probably because you are working in a lot of different windows at the same time so you need the tablet to have a good size for each window).

the one you're looking at buying will cost you about 300-400$ canadian. The graphire is only about 100$ canadian

I have to agree with adam. I really like the 6x8 size...I honestly wouldnt know what to do with all the other space with something larger.;) It works easily and has a comfortable 'throw distance' paint strokes. Larger tablets are good if you do a lot of autocad (car design, architecture, etc.) or so I am told.

Price is also a deciding factor too. :0

300 to 400, hmmmmmmmm.....I think not :/

Think i`ll look at the cheaper ones - hehe

Thanks again for all the help people :)

WACOM! that's the second time I've read something about that today without even meaning to look it up!
It must be fate, I think i'll get me one o' those.

*Adds to the shopping list*