Comments on: An Artist’s First Impressions of the iPad

By: tori

tori — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:48:45 +0000

I’m loving my Lenovo x201 Tablet! The outdoor screen adjusts so you can see it brightly outside. Reasonably lightweight. Really good wireless card. For reading, I have a Kindle and books. I like Macs, but have no desire for an iPad.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:03:25 +0000

I’m still saving up for a Cintiq.
Maybe after that. But something like the iPad for sketching everywhere and anywhere would be saweet.
It needs a proper Stylus however, and maybe a little bit of touch sensitivity.
Some day.

By: steveblue

steveblue — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:26:40 +0000

Sorry _ I just do not buy it – compare this to the accuracy and pressure sensitivity of a wacom tablet ( the defacto standard for artists) this is just a toy. OK not a toy but a big fat crayon drawing machine. Sure it is fun to doodle on but lets be real – this is an incredibly expensive way to doodle. Yes you do state this honestly but there is serious koolaid drinking in your other comments includning that is better than drawing on an iphone (?!?) – how about on a netbook or macbook with a tablet attached. It is not like a 4×5 wacom tablet is not something you could not have in a backpack when the mood hits you. But apple went out of their way not allow a wacom to work with it. Sorry touch is pretty cool but it has limitation – artistic drawing is one of them.

Also as far as a game changer – how can one device and one closed app store really be a game changer – wouldn’t you want to see your comics available to the world in some known standard distribution/payment system? We would need an open system – something that apple is generally against.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:44:58 +0000

I just found your site while doing a search for iPad sketching and painting. I agree with your review and your work is outstanding!

I bought the same iPad (and stylus) you did after much hesitation and numerous visits to the Apple store. Had I read your review sooner, I would have purchased it sooner. I agree with your comments, but I can’t compare it to any other “portable” device (like the Modbook). The iPad does more than I had hoped it would however… and you are right, it is a significant investment, but I don’t regret it.

I use Sketchbook Pro also, but I also find Adobe Ideas to be an excellent app as well… especially considering its vector capabilities and the fact that it is FREE!

Anyway, I’m glad I found your site. I have it bookmarked now and will be sure to return and visit often!

By: Dani

Dani — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:24:36 +0000

Bonaparte333 – The Modbook is wonderful as a portable professional workstation. However, the iPad is far superior as a mobile computer. If I am going to go out and about with something that can access internet, email, entertainment, etc., it is going to be the iPad. The fact that I can sketch on it too is a big bonus. The iPad is much more versatile and easy to use and I can do a heck of a lot of stuff on it.

The Modbook is great if I need to WORK off-site, or even in a different room of my house. However, most of the time when I’m traveling, I’m not doing full illustrations. The Modbook (which is the same weight as a normal Macbook, about 5-6 lbs.) is great to travel with, but the iPad is much easier, so I prefer to carry the iPad most of the time.

By: Bonaparte333

Bonaparte333 — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:57:03 +0000

Hey Dani,

I’m considering buying an ipad for sketching mainly, altough I am put back by it’s maximum resolution limitation as a professionnal illustrator. If I had enough money, i’d rather have a Modbook like you do, but the ipad is more in reach moneywise for me right now.

You owning a modbook tough, I was wondering what do you get out of the ipad exactly since it’s lacking the pressure sensitivity (i’m sure one can live without it but still) other than the fact that it doesn’t weight more than a book, a big + I guess when sketching. How heavy is the Modbook tough?

By: Dani

Dani — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:49:48 +0000

Alice – I have the Pogo Sketch Stylus, which has a clip on it. I keep the stylus with my iPad by clipping it to my Apple case.

I have not used my iPad outdoors much, but I have found that there is some screen glare. It might be troublesome to sketch outdoors unless you have some kind of shade or screen protector.

By: Alice

Alice — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:22:59 +0000

I saw your full-length Sketchbook Pro demo, very impressive! I have some more questions:
- How do you store the stylus while on the go? Is there a handy way to keep the stylus w/ the iPad?
- Have you tried sketching outdoors? If so, what’s your impression of it?

By: Stanlydan

Stanlydan — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:30:33 +0000

I like the ComicZeal app as well. I tried buying a PDF viewer, but it crashes all the time (One of those high quality apps not made with Flash :P).

By: Dani

Dani — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:57:25 +0000

StanlyDan – Funny you should post this comment now. I JUST got done reading this: http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/ (Steve Jobs’ comments on Flash). I agree with a lot of it. Personally, I am not a fan of websites built with Flash, but I know that’s just my own opinion.

Also, multitasking is confirmed to be coming for the iPad. It won’t be available until fall 2010 though.

And I love my iPad too! Thanks for great comment and insight.