What are the best practices for creating digital illustrations with a tablet and stylus?

1 Choose your tablet and stylus

The first step to creating digital illustrations with a tablet and stylus is to choose the right tools for your needs and budget. There are different types of tablets and styluses available, each with their own pros and cons. For example, some tablets have a screen that you can draw directly on, while others are connected to your computer and require you to look at a separate monitor. Some styluses have pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and buttons, while others are simpler and cheaper. You should consider factors such as size, resolution, compatibility, battery life, and ergonomics when choosing your tablet and stylus.

3 Prepare your workspace

Another important aspect of creating digital illustrations with a tablet and stylus is to prepare your physical workspace. You should make sure that you have enough space, light, and comfort to work on your projects without distractions or strain. You should also position your tablet, stylus, monitor, and keyboard in a way that allows you to maintain a good posture and avoid wrist or neck pain. You might want to invest in some accessories, such as a stand, a glove, or a screen protector, to enhance your experience and protect your equipment.

4 Sketch your ideas

Before you start drawing on your tablet, you should sketch your ideas on paper or on a separate layer in your software. Sketching is a crucial part of the creative process, as it helps you to brainstorm, explore, and refine your concepts. You can use a pencil, a pen, or a simple brush tool to sketch your ideas, without worrying too much about details or accuracy. You should try to sketch multiple variations of your idea, and select the one that you like the most. You can then use your sketch as a reference or a guide for your final illustration.

5 Draw your illustration

Once you have your sketch ready, you can start drawing your illustration on your tablet. You should create a new layer on top of your sketch layer, and use a more precise and refined brush tool to draw your illustration. You can also use different layers for different elements of your illustration, such as the background, the foreground, the shadows, and the highlights. This will allow you to edit, move, and adjust each element separately, without affecting the rest of your illustration. You should also use the zoom, undo, and erase functions to correct any mistakes or improve any details.

6 Export and share your illustration

The final step is to export and share your illustration with the world. You should save your illustration in a high-quality format, such as PNG or JPEG, and in the appropriate size and resolution for your intended purpose. You can also add some effects, filters, or adjustments to enhance your illustration, such as contrast, brightness, saturation, or sharpness. You should then upload your illustration to your portfolio, website, social media, or any other platform where you want to showcase your work. You can also get feedback, comments, or suggestions from other artists or viewers, and use them to improve your skills and style.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?