From Scan to Digital - Tablet recommendation
I'm considering purchasing a tablet to scan in my sketches and further develop into finished concepts.
Most of my "drawings" are predominantly sketches. I collected these over the last twenty years or so. I even have some as old as 1998 ! When I studied art and it was a cool little hobby of mine. Lots of fantasy based characters, not much more...
I have a binder which I"ve now seperated into - studies, drawings from reference, and concepts (the drawings below are all sketches, drawings from reference, or concepts I'd like to develop further).
My goal is to continue to draw as a hobby (I also just started hand painting w/ acrylic).
So I'm Incorporating -
One reference study a day
Prior to character design - do multiple studies then finalize concept (must be original, no tracing, no copying)
Then I'd like to scan into a digital software such as GIMP or Krita for coloring.
I previously tried this and had no luck whatsoever but to be honest I really didn't study much. There are a lot of tutorials on youtube that I watch now that I wish I had watched back then.
A few years back I purchased an XP Pen tablet but lost the stylus.
There charing $20 for the stylus and a new tablet cost $35 so I'm a little hesitant.
I may as well go with something new or something else!
A really good artist and friend I've known for about 20 years has been sending me tips and insights on drawing, sketching, values, color, and ditigal art.
One of my my biggest motivations to transition some of my concepts to digital (no matter how basic) is to color.
A lot of the fantasy / character art I do (no matter how good or bad it may be) doesn't color well with pencils or markers... but i think it could really come to life with digital painting.
So I"m considering buying a tablet to help assist with finishing some concepts and even help me with incorporating digital art into my skill set.
My buddy is recommending a Intuis 3 or Intuis Pro for scanning and painting, coloring, whatever....
Any recommedations?
Whilst asking for a tablet recommendation, please understand I do acknowledge that I need to continue drawing - sketching - whatever.... and continue with the basics. I need more value, more depth, more color, and actually finished work.
I know that transitioning to digital isn't just going to make me a "great artist".
I want to be as good as I can be, but with that being said - no matter how good or bad my art may seem to others - as long as I"m having fun doing it then I'm okay with that. : )
Any tips or feedback appreciated! Any recommendations on a starter tablet that is especially kind to scanned work.
Chris
Posted Aug 4, 2025, 4:25 PM UTC