Artistic joy on a tablet

For many people here on TG, tablets are an irrelevance - they aren't fast, they don't do everything your Mac or PC does, they don't have a mouse, DVD drive or a proper keyboard. Just what is the point with these gizmos - aren't they just toys?

We all know how great Xara has been - the master of vector graphics, known only to the few, now known by many and the jack of all trades. Yet, strangely some of us have been trying to shine a light on an organic wishy washy workflow that doesn't focus on point pushing - we just don't need that either, right?

Well, I came across a tiny program, that seems to encapsulate both of these. It doesn't try and do everything. It just wants to do something exceptionally well. It doesn't have a massive feature set but what it does do? Well wow!

Decide for yourself if the tablet revolution and organic workflows are just a waste of time.

http://www.fiftythree.com/paper

Even the promo video is stunning.

Paul

Thanks for posting, Paul.

Paul - Have you tried it? I just downloaded the free app then splurged for $8 US for the full set of tools. On first swipe it is very impressive. For some reason I feel a $30 stylus purchase coming on. :)

The colors are limited and you cannot adjust the size of the brush strokes except by pressure. Still, better than etch-a-sketch.

There are quite a few graphics apps for the iPad. The hard part with the iPad is getting what you create off the pad and into a file that you can do something with.

Yes, for the extra tools at the price, it's an easy decision to buy. I think that this App is beautifully made.

Before anyone tells me it doesn't do XY&Z, well I agree. It does simple drawing and painting exceptionally well in an easy to use style. I think the video shows it's strengths well.

I'm no artist, but this makes it easy for me to play.

I hope you enjoy it Gary. I bought a cheap stylus ages ago and this seems made for it.

Paul

Paul I am an artist who used to paint traditionally with oils.
When I started back into sailing I did not want the hassle of oils and thinners and all the trappings of traditional painting.
I switched years ago to the Wacom tablets.
I can tell you I cannot even think of going to a mouse for digital art.
I use Photoshop, and a program call Painter to paint Digitally, it is most definitly a fun way to paint.
There are many programs out there to get going into the world of digital art
Some of the programs I own go far beyond an etcha sketch style lol.

Here is one of my first attempts from years ago with a tablet.

Attachment 88636

That's great work - you are talented.

Yes, I'm aware of the other software out there - much more sophisticated and capable than iPad paper.

That said, I love what the program does and comparing it to etch-a-sketch is somewhat unkind.

Enjoy what you do.

Sonoferin - Paul is not referring to your tablet as an input device, he is referring to drawing on a table such as the Apple iPad.

Art Set is another app, $.99 US that has a few more drawing objects and a wider palette of colors.

Paul - There are dozens of drawing apps, even a few vector drawing apps. I have never explored these but I will have to get on the case.

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Originally Posted by gwpriester

Sonoferin - Paul is not referring to your tablet as an input device, he is referring to drawing on a table such as the Apple iPad.

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Yes. I understood.

Not everyone wants to produce (or is capable of producing) photo-realistic work, but that does not invalidate the stylised work that is possible using the iPad and the paper programme. It seems rather disrespctful to those that produce stylised work, such as is possible using the software to compare the experience and results with using an etch-a-sketch.

Even beyond the realms of tablets, using real media, artistic work can be stylised and while it is not to everyone's taste, it's as valid as the fantastic results produced by Sonoferin. Sometimes photo-realistic work leaves me cold while stylised work can be moving (and vice-versa).

I'm sure Sonoferin will correct me if my interpretation of his remark is misguided.

The page software isn't the most sophisticated software available, but then again it can be used for much more than purely artistic purposes, and we all know that the capabilities of an artist doesn't depend on the software they use or the pencils in their hand.

I'm not arguing with you, Paul. I was trying to distinguish between a table such as a Wacom, which is used as both an input device and a drawing medium, and the iPad, which is also referred to as a tablet but is not strictly speaking, an input device.

Sorry Gary, I can't follow what the point is here, and how it relates to Sonoferins remark.

As far as drawing apps for the iPad goes, I have several - most far more sophisticated than page. I was struck by the elegance and simplicity of the interface and that impressed me greatly. One of the great points about page is that it can be used in so many ways - not just for artistic purposes and the book interface is perfect.

As a software developer I understand how much effort has gone into the app to make it so easy to use.

I had hoped that some TG users would at least see how tablets can be useful and why feature laden software can sometimes be inferior to far simpler apps in some circumstances.

Anyway, lets enjoy the app.

Paul, I don't think that Sonoferin's comments were intended to be taken in a negative way.

Paul - Wacom is a tablet. iPad is also called a tablet. But their uses are very different. That was my only point.

I agree that drawing on an iPad tablet can be fun and portable. The the Paper app is elegantly simple and I should think with a proper stylus it would be similar to carrying a sketch book.

I've just revisited the http://www.fiftythree.com sitee and now I am in love. This company seriously knows how to market in style and have some cool products.

I am on the lookout for a tame TGer in the USA I can send some money to who will buy and send me a pencil.. ..any volunteers with a paypal account? ;-)

Late in coming to this but if the ipad is good enough for David Hockney then it's more that good enough for the rest of us. Whether it's a super accurate wacom pad or an android or ios tablet, or a piece of paper or canvas, at the end of the day it is the creative behind it that matters.

Anyway the 53 pencil looks an amazing device, the excelent galaxy note has something similar (probably not as advanced and certainly not as good looking). Btw, what a great website they've created to showcase it.

Yes, I'm just stunned by the way they're going about their business and I think the custom printing of a book (maybe not cheap) is just the icing on the cake.

I just want one of those pencils. I've just migrated from an iPad 1 to an iPad Air and the pencil is just the thing to get me scribbling badly again.

Would you believe I already have that program. It might be a personal preference but I like Procreate better. If you haven't seen it you might look at it. Sorry I do not have a link available at the moment.

Paul I use this programme occasionally for quick notes and sketches which are to easy to produce and send if you have a connected device. The big problem is the way that it saves into Drop Box and my iPad can only connect to Wi-Fi so if I am out and about and I do more than 1 sketch some are lost. I prefer Sketch Book Pro or Adobe Ideas but Paper has the best user interface of any of the ones that I have used. Most of these apps. are just down to personal preference. The Pen Tool in Adobe's Ideas does vectors but using it as a vector drawing board is nearly impossible as handles for the nodes are a devil to manipulate with the current styluses or finger.

if I am out and about and I do more than 1 sketch some are lost.

Why? You aren't forced to use drop box, and even drop box shouldn't be upset by a lack of connectivity.

I haven't used drop box with my iPad.

Do you use a stylus Albacore?

Yep, I am forced to use drop box with the app to save the drawings using my paper book. Yes I use a stylus, I hate using my big clumsy fingers to draw as I can't see what I am drawing under my finger. Use a Wacom Bamboo stylus which works well the tip is very slightly smaller than others and it has a nice balance to the pen, well made. Also got the Jot Pro so that I can see the line that I am drawing as the tip has a transparent disc but it doesn't slide across the screen well so it's swings and roundabouts. I thought I could use the pad to sketch with outside as the weather in my part of Scotland is wet. Not sure if it works that well as when it does rain, I don't want the pad to get that wet and when the suns out can't see the bloody screen. Gone back to paper again and I just scan my sketches in and digitally paint using Sketch Book Pro 6 on the PC. Most times just do the sketches on paper. ---- take a few pics, ---- get the water colours and masking paint out at home, ----- get that warm glow of satisfaction when its done.

Slightly off topic Albacore but I am hoping you could please advise me as to what Wacom tablet to purchase, or any other, for someone like me who as never used a tablet and pen before. I am also very interested in the SketchBook Pro 6 you mentioned in your post, after visiting their page, it looks like a good software to have so a combination of the latter two and Xara, which I've used since 2006, sounds like a good investment ? Any advice or recommendations would be most welcome.

Stygg

You are allowed to start your own threads Stygg!

Thanks for hijacking this one.

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Originally Posted by pauland

You are allowed to start your own threads Stygg!

Thanks for hijacking this one.

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I am aware I can start a new thread but seeing as the advice I was seeking was about the software mentioned in this thread I assumed it would be ok, and you don't have to be sarcastic with the thank you for hijacking, if it offends you so much please ask the moderator to remove my post. No wonder new members won't post a question, for fear of posting in the wrong thread and having people like you on the quick to admonish them. Have a nice day!

Stygg

Stygg, I was grumpy, that's for sure, but with over a thousand post you aren't a newbie, so should know better.

No wonder new members won't post a question, for fear of posting in the wrong thread
I think there's no evidence of that - TG is a very friendly place.

people like you on the quick to admonish them
It's very rarely that I admonish anybody, so consider yourself priviledged. People get treated very well here.

Hijacking threads is just bad manners, though.

Anyway, enough is enough. Us two grumpy so and so's can let the rest of TG be now, I think.

"Anyway, enough is enough. Us two grumpy so and so's can let the rest of TG be now, I think".

I totally agree Paul, I apologize for being so hasty :D but without causing any problems, can you or anyone give any advice to my questions in #20.

Stygg

I will keep this short as possible. With the Wacom by the best that you can afford, not too big. Download the 30 day trial for Sketch Book Pro and see what you think for the PC. Also you might be as well to buy a Android tablet as some of them are as cheap as your Wacom will be, then you can try Paper 57 and others. You will have the benefit of a mobile computer and a sketch pad and you will experience the joy that Paul is talking about.

I would imagine that a cheap android might be a bit of a gamble - some of them aren't great in terms of touch sensitivity - I didn't even know Paper 57 existed outside of the iPad.

Looking around at the stylus market ( for iPad anyway ) opinions seem all over the place. For the moment I've ordered a cheapo one TeckNet 2 in 1 Micro-Knit Fabric Tip Capacitive Touch Screen Stylus Pen and Fine Ball Pen

- excuse the copy and paste font - ( I have plenty of 'free' ones that are rubbish ) and some people seem to think that some models can make you end up scratching the screen if used without care.

Thanks very much to Albacore and Paul for your feedback with regard to #20. I think I will buy to start with a Wacom and download the 30 day trial of SketchBook. Thank you both for your advice and recommendations :D

Stygg