Why Size Matters Not in Wacom Tablets

Today I’m sharing a post Why Size Matters Not in Wacom Tablets complete with a Giveaway.

Why Size Matters Not in Wacom Tablets

A 17 year career in digital artistry, with almost as many years using a Wacom pen and tablet, has not only enhanced my creative experience, but generated a few surprises too.

Many a tablet and pen has graced my work space throughout the years, from the smaller ‘cheap and cheerful’ models, to larger more expensive versions.  It usually stands to reason that, the more you pay and the bigger you go, particularly where technology is concerned, the better the device will be.

My personal experience, however, completely disproved this misconception, and supports the notion that size matters not where Wacom tablets are concerned.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Larger relates to occupation of space, complexity and overall cost.

Creativity on the Move

The world has become smaller with more people travelling larger distances on a more regular basis.

Let the Technology Support the Artistry

Any tool used by an artist should be intuitive and enhance the creative experience.

Less is More

Small is BEST when it come to Wacom tablets.

Larger tablets may be the more ostentatious choice with all the shiny gadgetry, but smaller tablets with their ease of use, shorter learning curve and less intrusive ‘footprint,’ will always be my preference.

This is why I see the new Wacom Intuos Pro Small being my new favorite tablet. My ability to trace, select, draw, extract photos and create digital artistry on-the-go become easier without losing the pro features, which are always so fun to play with. I get the best of BOTH worlds. I’ve added the new Wacom Pro Pen slim, a stylus with all the power of Wacom Pro Pen 2 technology in a slimmer form factor. It comes comes with an elegant case for portability too!

See this post on the Wacom community website.

Wacom Intuous Pro Small Giveaway

Wacom have generously provided a Wacom Intuos Pro Small to give away to ONE randomly-selected [aalog0] community member.

COMPLETE AS MANY ‘TASKS’ FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST AND LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT BELOW TELLING ME WHICH YOU’VE DONE.

 The more you participate, the more entries you get.

A winner will be RANDOMLY selected and posted on the [aalogo] Blog on Tuesday May 21st, 2019 at 2 pm MDT.

United States Residents ONLY (as you will be responsible for any import taxes)

134 Responses

          1. I also have the artsy Memorabilia course which has been very helpful not only on my heritage album but no creating travel memorabilia and other elements.

          1. I took the course on National Scrapbook day 2019 and loved the 3 different presenters. I’m having fun making butterflies.

        3. I also took the artsy doubles course and have learned so much more than just making a double page. I go back to it when creating may pages. It will be wonderful to reference on my next travel album.

          1. I have purchased the Year of ArtPlay May 2017. I love the look of the page and will be applying lots of the information to my pages.

          2. I purchased the Year of Art Play May 2017. I liked the look of the page and with Anna’s great instructions I can apply it to more of my pages.

    2. Hi Anna, I have liked you on Facebook. I have been interested and fascinated by the Wacom tablet for a long time but have never had the opportunity to try one. I love all of your classes that I have taken, thank you for the hard work that you put into them. You always give value for money.

  3. Knowing that you use a tablet, I asked for one last Christmas. My dear husband ordered the Intuos CTH-490 Pen and Touch at my request. However after viewing numerous tutorials, reading the online instructions, and experimenting with the myriad of settings, I am making little progress in functionality with it. I would be interested to know what your preference settings are. It would also be beneficial to see how you hold and operate your pen and tablet, and how it’s functionality can be maximized in digital scrap-booking.

  9. I’ve used wacom tablets exclusively for years, ever since I found that my digital artistry needed more control than what a mouse provided. I too have discovered that smaller is more convenient for taking in my laptop bag. On my desk, I stash it upright like a book, ready to go at hand. What really interests me is the new Wacom Pro Pen Small. Am always looking for a more responsive and intuitive pen.
    Please, definitely develop a tablet & pen class. I need to learn some of the button features on the tablet to eliminate having to use my mouse at all. HELP! ASAP! LOL!

  10. I used a Wacom tablet for several years and love it. Although it is only the medium size it takes up a lot of room on my desk. I would love the small updated one.

  11. I already follow you on IG and FB. I would love to learn how to draw, I can’t even draw a straight line without the shift key 🙂
    I just purchased the NSB 2019 replay and I am loving the 3 classes. I will definitely work on those butterflies 🙂 I do own a wacom but I need to replace soon and a smaller one would be perfect!!

  12. I love my Wacom Intuos Pro Medium that I got for Christmas in 2016. I’ve gotten comfortable with it, but I know I’m not using it to it’s fullest potential. I would also love a class on it by you. Would be very interested in your settings preferences (and why you prefer it that way). I have taken your Artsy Flowers and the iNSD 2019 Class and loved them both.

  13. I bought a Wacom Bamboo many years ago but haven’t used it much. Would love to learn how you use yours and where/how it would be beneficial over a mouse (in addition to drawing). Thanks for the chance to win – the small size would be great for travelling

    4. Anna, I left a review for your Artsy Doubles course (this is an absolutely AMAZING course and I highly recommend it for anybody!!)

    5. I also left a review for your Advanced Brushes Course. This is another incredible class with projects that you can follow along with to practice what you learn. So many fabulous techniques and so much to learn about brushes!

  14. I would love to see how you work with the tablet in creating. I’ve only tried one once and found it hard to use.

    Followed you on IG, FB and newsletter. Love your work always, I’ve been buying your scrapbooking products for years!!!!

  17. I have an old Bamboo so know how to use it for very basic operations. I would like to learn more about how to
    use it for operations one can’t do with a mouse. I know I can use pressure with the pen, but I’m sure there are lots
    of things i don’t know how to do and don’t even know what I might be able to do. I would also like to know what art programs
    other than PS-CC or PSE one can use with a tablet, especially ones that are free or very inexpensive.

  26. I am left handed and and tried a Wacom tablet a few years ago and found it difficult. I would like to learn how other lefties are able to use a Wacom.

  27. I would love to learn how to set up the tablet, Retouch photos and use it for brushes. The tablet probably does so many things I don’t even know what to ask for

  28. Having never used a pen and tablet before, I am very interested in learning how they can be used to enhance my creative experience.

  29. I attended the very first live workshop that you offered on using blending techniques. Not sure what the name of the course was.

  34. I have never used a tablet, but have often thought about getting one. Therefore, a very basic class would be for me, as a start.

  36. I would like to learn about what are the greatest benefits of using a pen and tablet and what its best used for. And of course examples of its use on layouts or artistry.

  39. A new tablet class has to start with learning how to set it up in a format that we can access whenever… I got my Bamboo years ago and have not used it in years… but I used to.. took a class from Jessica, and still can access the info from that class, should I decide to use it again… indispensable… would love to win the new one….

  45. I’ve always been intrigued by using tablets for artistry but never took the time. So, I would be happy with just learning the basics!

  49. I have a Wacom tablet that I bought several years ago but I have never used it – imagine that……..I would love to learn how to use a tablet! Thanks!

  54. I attended ArtPlay Live NSD 2019. You, Linda, and Adryane were wonderful presenters and I learned alot and still have much to learn. Thank You!

  55. I you follow on fb, and Instagram. I’m enjoying your class of 2017 bundle. I am signed up for you news letter ‘Learn to ArtPlay’, and I would so enjoy learning how to use the tablet. Thx for the chance……

  56. I took the NSD 2019 course with three teachers. It was a great value. I’m so glad it was recorded because I need to really try the skills. I could not find a place to post a comment on the course, but I’m putting it here.

  57. Oh, finally found the place to review the classes. So, I posted for ArtPlay NSD 2019 Yay! I’m learning more than digi-art, I’m learning a bit of social media!

  64. If you have a Pen & Tablet Class, I’d love to have a class on using the Pen. I have never had a Wacom so I would be interested in any aspect of using it, as part of a class. The pen, I’m assuming is very vital in knowing pressures, etc, so that would be a great starting point. 🙂 Thank you for always looking out for us and providing so much education and inspiration.

  66. I have an Intuos and an ArtPen, which I don’t use much because I fall back on an ancient Graphire. I would like to know more about the ArtPen

  70. I would like instructions on how to use it, your preferences, and how to do selections. I’ve seen other digital artist use this and it looks very interesting. Also how to use it to do basic functions that you normally use a mouse for. In watching someone else online, it seems that it is less stressful on the hand than using a mouse. I’ve considered getting one, but with my lists of “to dos” and classes, it hasn’t reached the top of the list. Would really love the opportunity to use this.

  73. Classes – First of all, your classes are wonderful. One of my top favorites is Advanced Brushes. Not only are the brushes you offer in your products spectacular, but you teach how to use them. You also teach how to create your own, which tops my list of favorite things to do. You also provide opportunities for the student to practice the techniques you are teaching. Excellent class!

  74. Project 2017 – I guess it is difficult to identify all the benefits of taking these classes. I love the interaction you have with your students throughout the class. And I love the interaction the students have with each other as we share our artwork and successes. There is nothing more heartwarming as to see the student hold up their finished product. I get so many ideas on how to do my own pages by looking at those from your other students – especially the travel albums. Not only do they inspire my artwork but then it makes me want to go on my own vacation to those places!

  75. Year of ArtPlay – June. I chose this class because you show how to take a photograph and turn it into artwork – like a drawing with watercolor.

  76. ArtPlay Live NSD 2019: I enjoyed this class since you enlist others to teach their techniques as well as you showing us a larger project. I especially liked the butterfly tattoo and I’ve always loved Linda Davis’ art – especially the pages with her adorable grandchild. All of you made using your products look so easy to get such beautiful artsy pages.

  77. Project 2018: Not only do you inspire and motivate your students to get a project complete, you provide guidance on getting them printed. Usually you provide a coupon from a printer, such as Picaboo, so your students can see their books in print. Another thing I like is the emails you send out to encourage us. I highly recommend your “Project” classes to other scrapbookers.

  78. ArtPlay Unedited 2 (NSD 2016) Usually you offer live classes around National Scrapbook Day where we can watch you and learn from the techniques you use. Not only is this helpful to see what you are doing, but those techniques can be used in so many projects. This class was good because you demonstrated creating a background or your own paper, using the ArtsyTransfers. Your Live classes always are so beneficial to see you actually doing what you do!

  91. I use a Bamboo tablet but would love to have a few more features on it. A class on using the tablet and how it might be set up for each program would be great. I find myself reverting to the mouse sometimes because I don’t think I have it set up so that it works for everything.

  93. I was given a used Wacom tablet from my cousin but have never tried to use it. If you were going to offer a class, I would like to learn basic set up, option settings, how to hold the pen and demonstrations of extractions and ways you use the tablet for scrapbooking!

  100. Facebook like and comment today. The class with the butterfly tattoo design has been a huge hit! Really love what everyone is doing!

  101. My old bamboo is gathering dust, except when the grandchildren make funny faces while using it. I’d like to know your favorite methods for using your tablet and what specific artsy products you couldn’t do any other way. Thanks.

  102. I have not worked on a Wacom tablet before so would like to learn how to use the tablet to draw, work on photos and any other digital art tasks. I left a review for the ArtPlay LIve NSD 2019. I follow you on Instagram (tamic5151) and have liked the AA Facebook page. I already receive Anna News. Thanks for all you do!

  103. I have a hand-me-down Wacom tablet that my older daughter gave me a few years back. I love using it but I think that it doesn’t like to play well with Windows 10 and I’ve been thinking that I need to look into a new one so your article was really timely! I recently heard someone say that you only have so many clicks in your pointer finger when using a mouse. I know they are probably just kidding but it started me thinking about how much I loved using the wacom tablet and my clicker finger loved it as well!

        1. Left review on the Heritage project – check! (I just got it this past Saturday and I’m almost through listening but it will definitely get more than one listen! Such a great help and I already feel calmer and yet more excited about my Heritage project!

          1. What would I like to learn about tablets? I think that it a matter of getting more comfortable with it and the best way to do that is listen and practice along with a someone that is really comfortable with it AND is doing the same type of work on it that I hope to achieve!

  104. I just found this article about the size of a Wacom tablet very interesting because I was just thinking about buying one and price matters here in NZ as some of these things are expensive here so its really good to know that the smaller one is better. Thanks for the info.

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