Type of device* : n/a
Brand and version of the device: n/a
System** : windows 10, latest Krita version
* graphics tablet/display tablet/2-in-1 laptop/Android tablet
** Windows/Linux/Mac/Android, + version (you’ll find it in Help -> Show system information for bug reports)
Description of the issue (you can include screenshots):
Hi all, I’m wanting to get my 12 year old a drawing tablet to go with Krita, but I’m a bit confused by it all! She’s been using Krita about a year now with a mouse and keyboard, and she likes to do anime, and is becoming interested in exploring realistic/detailed styles too.
I have had a look around the search bar, and seen there are some common issues like pressure sensitive troubles etc. I guess all tablets can have compatibility problems sometimes though…
I’ll be the one she calls on to help when it goes wrong, and not the most tech savvy! So ease of use is a big plus…
I was looking at Gaomon M106K (£43.99), or Wacom Intuos small (£65.99) but happy to accept other recommendations.
Looks like the Intuos is maybe a more established brand, better support etc, but smaller drawing surface.
The Gaomon gives more bang for the bang, bigger surface etc, but a the cost of possibly more fiddling around with drivers and things/poor support.
There are at least three topics here about problems with the Gaomon M106K but they were all resolved eventually. The biggest problem seemed to be the drivers getting messed up by a Windows update. That is totally infuriating when it happens.
That used to happen sometimes with Wacom but has not happened for some time (in my experience) because Wacom now have a close working relationship with Microsoft.
Also, about two years ago, I installed a fresh Windows 10 system and it detected my Wacom tablet and installed the driver and the Wacom Control Centre automatically.
The most common problem is the settings of the tablet not being correct and/or the settings in krita not matching them. That is almost luck of the draw.
This forum can help with that of course
When I first installed my Wacom tablet five years ago (when you had to manually install the driver) it worked first time. Some people report having to juggle with the settings to get things working. I suppose I was lucky.
A small tablet area can be a problem because the active canvas area is a smaller proportion of the monitor/tablet area. You can get around that by toggling Canvas Only mode (Tab key) so that the canvas more or less fills the monitor and so also fills the tablet surface.
Is the Wacom Tablet the Wacom Intuos Pro Small? If so, it looks a bit thick with curved edges to try to hide that fact. I think that wouldn’t feel good when using it.
I realise that cost is an important factor but a well made tablet will last for a long time.
My tablet is the Wacom Intuos Paint and I bought it five years ago. I’ve never cleaned it and I’m not gentle with it but it just keeps on working.
My 17 year old Wacom Graphire 2 is still working (on Linux because I can’t get a modern Windows driver for it) even though its top surface is nearly worn through.
I think both the tablets you mentioned would work and I suspect you’d have fewer ongoing problems with any Wacom tablet.
Other people may come along with further and/or different advice.
I would go for either Wacom (and not skimp; if you get a decent wacom now, it’ll be usable for a decade) or a Huion. Huion is good and responsive, but Wacom pens tend to be a bit nicer.
Display tablets look great and some people prefer them, but a non-display tablet actually promotes a better posture when drawing.
I have been using Wacom Intuos Small for about 18 months. I love it. It’s simple and reliable. It’s easy to set the express keys.
It is small, though. Sometimes I wish I had bought the larger one but then it would take up a lot more room on my desk and that would cut down on the ease of use for me.
