How long does it take someone who is mildly computer literate to get proficient on a tablet? I have never even played around with one so have no clue how they work and Im just wondering if there is a pretty steep learning curve or if they take a long while to get used to?

Also Like I said I have never even played with one so I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a good starter tablet. Price doesnt need to be super cheap but not going to jump in to a big dollar one before I even know if I will like it.

Thanks,

I am about to invest into a bamboo fun tablet. They're about $200 I believe. Rumors are that they're pretty good, small learning curve since it will be weird to draw on the tablet and it appears on the screen. You will spend a lot of time looking at the tablet more then the screen to start.

I've been using a Genius G-pen graphics tablet for about 5+ years now. It's become an essential tool in my everyday design / production rituals. I used to sketch pencil to paper all the time & then scan it in, after a while on the tablet I quickly found that using the vector pencil tool & having the tablets sensitivity set properly, it not only achieves the same freehand sketch goal, it also helps cut down on time.

I just can't see how any designer can get by without a tablet anymore that is into digital art, even if it's only used for vector pencil rough sketch ideas. Definitely proven to be one of my largest assets when it comes to my trade & helps cut down on several areas of time investment in both the design & production process. Time being important to me.

I would say that for a beginner it might take 2-4 weeks for you to get used to the tablet pen. It starts to get pretty fun & convenient after that initial stage.

I have a tablet to and I just took a couple of hours just learning how sensative the tablet is and learned the type of effects it could do I figure out what to do with the programs it comes with. I practice by just writing on a blank document or drawing a cartoon that is familiar and that I know I can draw on paper. Once I draw it the first time I modify my technique on the tablet until it looks like how I draw it on paper. I hope this helped.

Tablets are the way forward if your serious about your art. i have a wacom (9 years old) and its still exelent. I'd advise getting the best you can afford and make sure thay map 1:1 as for getting used to one, if you can draw you can use one!

I have a Bamboo Fun which I learned to use OK in a few hours. I think you'll always be learning more with a tablet as it's such a versatile piece of kit. The only problem is where to fit it on your desk otherwise you'll end up sitting with it on your knee which is an ergonomic disaster!

S