When you’re looking to get started in digital art, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you want a drawing tablet without a screen or a pen display that you draw directly onto. Each has particular benefits and a lot will depend on you and your setup. So let’s get into why you might choose one over the other.
First, let’s address this question: is a drawing tablet with a screen better?
A drawing tablet with a screen is not necessarily better than a tablet without. Neither is ‘more pro’ than the other. You’ll be able to create exactly the same level of work with each one. But there are some important considerations that might make one type of drawing tablet a better fit for you.
We’ll use the XPPEN Deco MW and the Artist 12 2nd Gen as examples in this post.
Why a drawing tablet without a screen is better…
These were obviously around long before pen displays, and thousands of amazing artworks have been made on them. Even today, many pro artists still prefer these over display tablets.
They are cheaper…
Screenless drawing tablets (or graphics tablets) are a really good option for someone getting started in digital art. The main reasons for this is that they are much more affordable and quite durable.
You can easily pick up a decent screenless graphics tablet for $50 – 60. So if you are just looking to give digital art a try, then this isn’t too big of an upfront investment. It also means you can more affordably replace your device if needs be.
They’re better for your posture…
A drawing tablet without a screen can be better for your posture as well because your neck stays relatively straight while looking at your main monitor. If you are prone to neck and shoulder pain, this will be a better option for you.
I started digital art with a small 4×5″ tablet that sat in place of my mouse. Instead of having the tablet off to the side, a medium to large size one may be more comfortable to have placed directly ahead of you in front of your screen.
Is screenless graphics tablet difficult to draw on?
Drawing on a tablet without a screen is not too difficult, but it does take some time to get comfortable looking at your monitor while drawing on a different surface. With patience and practice though, your hand-eye coordination will click and it will feel just like using a regular mouse.
The difference between a drawing tablet and a mouse though is that where you place your pen on the tablet will set your cursor to the corresponding points of the screen.
Many graphics tablets are Android-compatible too, so if you don’t have a computer, you might be able to use your phone to make digital art instead. Even a few display tablets have the ability with some mobile devices.
Why a drawing tablet with a screen is better…
It’s much easier to get used to a tablet with a screen (pen display) because you’re looking at and drawing on the same surface. There is a much smaller learning curve and it feels more natural from that perspective.
A decent pen display is a lot cheaper today than it was a few years ago. Now for as little $200, you could pick up a 12″ display to hook up to your computer and start drawing. But 13-16″ tends to be the sweet spot in terms of a comfortable drawing size.
For a long time, Wacom dominated this space but their pricing was out of reach for most early-career digital artists. Brands like XPPEN and Huion are filling that gap though and making pen displays much more accessible to beginners. Their product quality has also improved significantly over the last couple of years.
Do you need a stand for your drawing tablet?
A stand for a screenless drawing tablet is not necessary, but if you go with a pen display then it is definitely recommended. This will reduce the strain on your neck a bit and prevent really bad posture.
Many pen displays on the market come with some sort of stand included, but there are some that don’t. You might also opt for something that gives you more flexibility and allows you to easily adjust your screen angle or even rotate it.
How to set up a drawing tablet on your desk?
There are many different ways to approach placement of your tablet and it will depend a bit on the type of desk setup you have. In my home studio, I would set my medium-large screenless tablets between me and my monitor, with a keyboard on a keyboard tray to easily access my shortcuts. Small to medium-sized tablets can also sit to the side in place of your mouse.
If you have an L-shaped or curved desk and a display tablet, you might want to set your normal screen and keyboard to one side, and swivel round to your tablet on the other when it’s time to draw.
Illustrator, concept artist, and teacher, David Revoy shows examples of different drawing tablet setups and discusses ergonomics based on his experience that is really quite insightful.
Conclusion
There are a lot of drawing tablet options out there and choosing between a screened or screenless one can be a bit of a challenge. Take comfort though in the fact that either one can produce high level work. Consider your budget first and foremost. Graphics tablets are cheaper and durable but take some time to get comfortable with. Pen displays can feel more natural to draw on but posture can be an issue.
Take your time to decide and be sure to look at multiple reviews of the products you are considering. The growing drawing tablet and hardware reviews section of DrawYourWeapon can be your starting point. You can find more reviews over on YouTube by myself, Brad Colbow, or Teoh on Tech.
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