Tablet Troubleshooting

Tablet not working? Don't worry I have the same problem too. Sometimes my tablet just completely stops working in Paint Tool Sai, but it works on my computer and chrome and stuff. So when that happens I uninstall my tablet, re install it, then plug it in. This is USUALLY a 15-20 minute process, good thing it happens about every other 3 weeks(:

I realize not everyone has the same problem I do. Tablet problems can vary from the pen not working to the plug in not working to really anything! So found some good links for people who are having issues. If your problem is not listed below, comment and I will try and get back to you as soon as I can!

• Pen not working: Click Here
• Windows cannot recognize the USB device:Click Here
• Pen pressure not like it used to be: Click here
• Squiggly lines when you draw instead of smooth clean ones: Click Here
• Odd blinking lights: Click Here

These are forums for bamboo tablets, but generally the same rules and answers apply to ALL tablets, if it doesn't work for you, please leave a comment(:

Digital Realism

There are many different styles you can do in drawing. From cartoon to anime to realism to anything in between

But for now I am going to talk about how to do the realism.

Okay so USUALLY people have Photoshop to do realism with, but I'm more familiar with Sai. So there are a couple ways to approach this.

1. Doing the line art first, coloring it in, then erasing it

2. Doing the line art, then blending it into the drawing

3. Simply starting from the ground up. Meaning a blotch of color, then using the brush and marker tools to blend it out and make a face or an object out of it.

In Sai, i suggest using the brush tool and the marker tool. Preferably (for me) the brush tool. So just keep adding shadows, highlights, and depth to it to make it look realistic(:

And since I don't really like to do realism, here is a piece by piece picture of someone digitally painting.
Click here c:

Picking and Choosing Products

If you want to buy bamboo or digital art tablets, I suggest buying them from a retail store. Usually Best Buy, Staples, and Micro sells them, and I suggest buying them at a store because it almost GUARANTEES no cracks or bumps or scratches. 

But if you looking for the cheaper route, I suggest Craigslist or E bay. When your on E bay or Craigslist, I usually look for things that say NEW and NEVER OPENED. Also look for GOOD QUALITY pictures. Usually these pictures can indicate that a person knows how to use a computer/camera, thus making them more prone to keeping better care of the tablet.

As for art programs, they can vary in prices. Adobe Photoshop is usually around 20-40 dollars (this is the cost for an online purchase that licenses you to ONE YEAR of the program). Paint Tool Sai on the other hand is around 50 USD, but you get a FREE one month trial before you buy it. GIMP is free c: