3/4
QUESTION: How can I draw a proportionate circle/rectangle or make a proportionate selection?
ANSWER: Simply hold down shift while making your selection or drawing your shape. This will keep the width and height proportionate.
When drawing a circle, it is also possible to drag from the centre by clicking, then pressing and holding the Alt key (Command on Mac) as you drag. You can also hold shift key at the same time to maintain proportion.
QUESTION: I notice you use a mouse and a Graphire 4 for painting. Is it really worth me buying a high end tablet?
ANSWER: I still use my mouse for a lot of design work, but I would NOT recommend it for digital painting unless it's your only option. I only used a mouse in my early work because there were no decent tablets available. A mouse lacks pressure sensitivity and is very hard to move in sweeping directions.
As for a Graphire 4 or the similar spec Bamboo tablets, I think they're great, especially for a beginner on a budget. The pressure sensitivity is lower than high spec tablets, but if you play with the flow and opacity sliders in Photoshop, you can achieve the same kind of results. As for tilt functions, extra buttons and interchangeable nibs featured on high end tablets, I have never found myself wanting them.
I am using an A6 tablet, which means I can move my cursor from one end of the screen to the other with a mere flick of the wrist. I like that, but some artists prefer the larger painting area of an A4 tablet. It's all about preference.
If you're thinking of going for a high end tablet, it is probably best to save up for one of the Wacom Cintiq models which allow you to paint directly on screen. This would be ideal for anyone used to painting/sketching on paper or canvas for example.
As a beginner, you will instantly benefit from using any tablet over a mouse, and if you're on a budget I definitely recommend the Graphire 4 or Bamboo tablets.
ANSWER: Simply hold down shift while making your selection or drawing your shape. This will keep the width and height proportionate.
When drawing a circle, it is also possible to drag from the centre by clicking, then pressing and holding the Alt key (Command on Mac) as you drag. You can also hold shift key at the same time to maintain proportion.
QUESTION: I notice you use a mouse and a Graphire 4 for painting. Is it really worth me buying a high end tablet?
ANSWER: I still use my mouse for a lot of design work, but I would NOT recommend it for digital painting unless it's your only option. I only used a mouse in my early work because there were no decent tablets available. A mouse lacks pressure sensitivity and is very hard to move in sweeping directions.
As for a Graphire 4 or the similar spec Bamboo tablets, I think they're great, especially for a beginner on a budget. The pressure sensitivity is lower than high spec tablets, but if you play with the flow and opacity sliders in Photoshop, you can achieve the same kind of results. As for tilt functions, extra buttons and interchangeable nibs featured on high end tablets, I have never found myself wanting them.
I am using an A6 tablet, which means I can move my cursor from one end of the screen to the other with a mere flick of the wrist. I like that, but some artists prefer the larger painting area of an A4 tablet. It's all about preference.
If you're thinking of going for a high end tablet, it is probably best to save up for one of the Wacom Cintiq models which allow you to paint directly on screen. This would be ideal for anyone used to painting/sketching on paper or canvas for example.
As a beginner, you will instantly benefit from using any tablet over a mouse, and if you're on a budget I definitely recommend the Graphire 4 or Bamboo tablets.
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