A drawing tablet is a device that you connect to your computer or laptop. Once everything is set up, you can grab the digital pen and start drawing on the tablet’s surface.
Working with a pen on a tablet is a much more natural experience than using a mouse or a trackpad.
The pen is pressure-sensitive, meaning the strokes you lay down on the tablet emulate the qualities of natural media. If you press harder, the line gets thicker and more opaque. Conversely, less pressures results in thinner and more transparent lines.
The more advanced drawing tablets even feature tilt sensitivity. That means your brush strokes will not only change according to the pressure you apply, but also based on the angle of the stylus.
Pressure and tilt sensitivity, and the natural drawing experience, are benefits that you can only access with a drawing tablet.
One thing you need to know before getting your digital art equipment for beginners is that there are two types of drawing tablets: with screen and without screen.
Tablets without screen are cheaper as compared to display tablets. However, a screenless tablet has a bit more of a learning curve for everyone who just starts learning digital art. A screenless drawing tablet requires more hand-eye coordination, because you move the pen over the tablet while looking up at your computer monitor.
A drawing tablet with screen lets you draw directly on the surface – which is closer to traditional art and therefore easier for beginners.