Expert Tutorial: How to Draw with a Graphic Tablet?

When I started in the world of graphic design, I discovered how useful it was to have tutorials on how to draw with graphics tablet.

Hence, today I have decided to write this post, to contribute a little about my experience in this world full of art, as another user of graphic tablets, full of concerns behind a computer.

Tools for painting on a graphics tablet

The first thing you should know is that in digital art the creator is not limited by physical tools. While in a traditional drawing you must work on every detail and have different types of materials to achieve different results, now, with the use of technology, the creative possibilities are endless.

For that there are filters, brushes and tools of all kinds. From the moment you discover the graphic tablet, you will be able to do in a few minutes with a digital pen what would have taken a painter hours. Although I warn you that you will still have to invest hours to achieve professional results.

Now, the tools that you should have on hand are:

• A computer (with sufficient specifications to run the design program correctly)
• A graphics tablet with its stylus
• Design program (for example, , or , but you have many options to choose from). I personally recommend the first one, for its many options and affordability:

Clip Studio Paint

Main features:

• Ideal for: Drawing and character design/ Comic, manga and webtoon/ Animation/ Concept art and painting
• A very varied palette of tools and sub-tools.
• Raster, 3D, vector, gradient, fill, patch layers, etc.
• Dual color variance brushes for realistic color blending (version 2.0).
• Allows import of Photoshop brushes.
• Editing tools and advanced viewing features.

Compatibility: Windows / macOS / iPad / iPhone/ Galaxy / Android / Chromebook

The first steps with a graphics tablet

Probably, you already have it clear, because it is not difficult. To use the graphics tablet, you need to pick up the stylus and use it like a traditional stylus. Move your hand and watch the cursor move too.

Some tips for drawing on graphics tablet:

• At first it will be a bit complex, but little by little you will learn how to get used to the tablet and adapt to not looking at your hand or where you are going to draw. You must stay with your eyes on the screen.
• Also, the tablet should be facing you in a square fashion. When you move your hand towards you, the cursor should move down. If it strays by more than a few degrees, it becomes frustrating trying to draw where you want.
• Maintain a correct posture: you will be using the computer for a while when you are drawing something.
• To get used to using the tablet, try not to use the mouse at all.

Ready to draw?

To start, we need to configure the computer. You need to have the drivers installed for your tablet. While some tablets still come with driver installation discs, most have official websites from which you can download drivers specific to the model you’re using.

Since I chose Gimp for this sort of tablet drawing tutorial, we’ll be using a three-window system. In newer versions (Gimp 2.8+) they have a button to change this: in the Gimp main box, click Windows -> Single Window Mode.

This time, we are using version 2.6. This doesn’t have single window mode, so spend five seconds and arrange the windows so nothing overlaps.

1. Do some doodles

There are slight differences between drawing on a graphics tablet compared to drawing on paper. If you think you can already draw, skip this. These exercises can be very helpful:

• Draw a square with straight edges (without using the straight edges tool)
• Draw a circle as round as possible
• Practice varying the pressure you exert on the pen to master the pressure sensitivity feature

2. Try writing

Grab a calligraphy brush, work slowly and carefully, and try to make the letters as even as possible. Lettering is a very popular graphic art today, you can find many ideas on the Internet.

3. Draw freehand

Grab a thin brush 2-3 pixels thick and sketch it. Notice that you can make light and dark lines.

These three exercises will help you with all the types of motor control you will need in digital art: a draw straight, smoothly, where you want and control the pressure.

How to start a sketch?

Let’s start creating a very rough sketch of the contours. I always do it on a separate layer, so I can turn it on and off as I work on the rest of the drawing.

When drawing spheres and cylinders, it’s often helpful to draw a box where you want them to go. For boxes it’s easy. A regular hexagon and some intermediate lines form a simple box. The most complex can be done with perspective lines.

The shadows

I usually start by making a silhouette or sketch of the object in a neutral gray. Then I create a new layer, with a medium size brush, where I outline the outlines.

At this point it must be pressed firmly so that it is opaque. If you hide the sketch layer you will be surprised at how irregular the final stroke is. To remedy this, use a brush and an eraser to clean up the traces. You can then turn the sketch layer back on to continue guiding you.

Don’t forget to work on the correct layer: I assure you it will hurt if you find out that you are drawing on the wrong layer.

Coloring with graphic tablet

Create a new layer and color the color you want (remember to set the brush to “normal” color blend). Put the color layer below the shading layer. You can adjust the opacity.

The environment

We cannot leave objects floating. We need them to interact with their environment. The way to do it is to add a shadow.

Here are some things you should keep in mind:

• Objects darken when they get close to each other, or at corners (known as ambient occlusion).
• The shadows move away from the light.
• Observe the objects around you to see how light affects them.

These are the basics you need to do digital painting on graphics tablets. Everything else is a matter of creativity, smart work with the tools and some ingenuity.

Related article:

Easy drawings on graphic tablet

By practicing with simple drawings, you can quickly learn the basics and paint with a graphics tablet, developing your own digital style:

1. To draw hands

Use a photo or artistic wooden model of a hand that can be moved into different positions. Beginners should try to draw the basic outline of an open hand, starting with the palm.

Use circles to represent the knuckles at the top. Draw lines from the circles like fingers, making sure the proportion is correct, with more circles on each finger to give them shape.

2. To draw buildings

Try drawing buildings in 3D and in perspective. Instead of drawing the architecture flat, try to make it jump off the page.

Start by using a horizon line, from which “lines of flight” will radiate. It can be helpful to sketch these lines on a drawing, so that you can calculate the angle from which certain parts of a building should be drawn on the page.

3. To draw flowers

Draw flowers with simple petals to start practicing curves. Since its shape can vary, there is less worry about everything being symmetrical. Try new approaches, developing your own style rather than creating something that’s photorealistic right away.

4. To draw a fruit

This exercise can help you develop better hand-eye coordination, thanks to its irregular shapes and recurring curves.

The fruit bowl itself can also be used to practice symmetry. Try rotating the bowl or drawing it from a different angle to see how the shapes change.

5. To draw eyes

Its basic shape is relatively simple, with two simple curves surrounding a perfect circle. The possibility of adding details is endless, from shading the iris, adding eyelashes and drawing eyebrows. Just remember to try to see the predominant geometric shapes, and the volumes on the skin.

6. To draw the lips

It’s great for taking curve drawing to another level. They require a basic understanding of symmetry, using an axis line that varies depending on the angle the face is at.

You can also add more details like shading and lighting to make your lips look as realistic as possible.

In particular, I suggest you start practicing with graphics tablets like One by Wacom or Wacom Intuos. With them you will feel a sensation of creating illustrations on paper. The pencil feels light and natural in the hand. In addition, they offer the ability to connect to your Mac or PC, as well as certain Android devices.

One by Wacom

• active area: 15 x 9 cm with a capacity of 2,540 lines per inch.
• sizes: m.
• Pen pressure levels: 2,048 levels
• Compatibility: Windows, MacOs and Chromebook.
• connectivity: Micro-USB.
• INCLUDES: 4 spare tips.

Wacom Intuos

• active area 152 x 95 mm (size S)/ 216 x 135 mm (size M)
• 4 hotkeys.
• Battery-free pen, supports up to 4,096 pressure levels.
• Compatible with Windows, MacOs and Chromebook.
• micro-USB/Bluetooth connectivity options
• INCLUDES: 3 spare tips.

Frequent questions:

We finish by answering the most common questions on this topic:

What program to use to draw with a graphics tablet?

In this post I propose you to work with Gimp, but the possibilities are endless. Some designers prefer to work with and others prefer , or .

How to draw on my tablet?

To draw on your tablet: Use the stylus to draw on the graphics tablet screen. Keep your eyes on the screen. Orient it towards you. Maintain correct posture and try not to use the mouse at all.

How do you make a digital drawing?

When you do a digital drawing, take advantage of the possibilities in the different layers. These can be turned on and off, as you work on the rest of the drawing. When drawing spheres and cylinders, it’s often helpful to draw a box where you want them to go.

How does the stylus of a graphics tablet work?

The digital pen replaces and perfects the functions of a normal computer mouse. It allows users to draw and sketch on a digital tablet with precision. It is generally thicker than a regular pencil, and has a dual-purpose switch near the tip.

The designer must press…