Artist equipment

[schnauzerbeard]

AIBU for asking wise mumsnetters what they would recommend. I want to buy equipment for someone who is a brilliant artist. I want to buy them things they would need to produce digital art. Something they aren't going now but feel they would be good at. Currently using graphite pencil and ink. I would like to know if an iPad and a paint programme would be best or is there an app/ programs I can purchase for a PC? What do mumsnetters use to design their own graphics? Any guidance would be appreciated. These purchases will be used to produce more products for an already established social media shop. I feel the artist is missing out on a lot of opportunities to produce merchandise. They are aware I am researching before any comments about me meddling. Thanks in advance

I am being unreasonable due to the lack of question mark

Doing now ^

My really basic question is: you say they feel they'd be good at digital art, but is it definitely what they want to do? Rather than e.g. getting a fantastic scanner and printer so they can make prints or digital copies of their non digital art?

Obviously you know your friend but I wouldn’t like to create digital art so it would be wasted on me.
I like a variety of paint, clay, pencils etc. I don’t want to create digitally.

A lot of people use an iPad or iPadPro with an Apple Pencil and the Procreate app. You can do a lot with that kit as a starter or more professional eg making stickers, prints etc. You’d prob want a Pro for a serious artist.

Then you can either use online printing services to print your work professionally if you don’t want to invest in a good quality printer.

Have a browse on YouTube for Procreate tutorials to see what you can do with it. There are plenty of people around who do tutorials/reviews of printing services and how to set up your Procreate canvas and colours to get good printed results.

If it’s because they can’t afford it themselves. If so I would give cash.
There is so much stuff available digital and not digital you probably need a recommendation from someone in the know.

Thank you, this is all really helpful

Yes, I am looking for recommendations though. Thanks

They are aware I am researching and they are happy to experiment. They are IT literate and look forward to branching out to digital art.

iPad or iPad Pro with pencil.

Personally though I’d get them a big gift voucher for art shop, or buy several really nice sets of paints/oil pastels/pencils etc. Artist quality kit costs a small a small fortune, an a good set opens up whole new worlds.

They would like to make a sideline of mercy. Their non-digital art is very detailed and takes hours/days/weeks to render. Digital art would be a good way to start making purchasable goods quicker on a larger scale/

They are fully equipped with non digital art equipments. I am looking to purchase tools to do digital art. Thanks

What about a night class at a local college in digital art (depending on your budget) short 1 term night courses at our local tech are about £150.

My DD is at art-school and about 50% of her work is digital.

As she already had a decent PC laptop, we bought her a Huion Kamvas (the 13" model is around £200). It plugs into USB and HDMI ports and acts like a touch-screen monitor.

At uni she uses Adobe software, but for her own projects she prefers "Fire Alpaca" which is a free download!

They are IT literate and don't envisage having issues using equipment. I am just trying to figure out what equipment would be best to buy. Thanks

Thank you, this reply is really helpful and answered my op. Much appreciated

Drawing tablet (sorry can't recommend one)

Adobe subscription so they can learn Illustrator

Best of luck to your DD in her studies

Thank you, sounds like this will be the best option

iPad Pro 12.9 inch (M2 2022) plus Apple pen 2. Highest rated. It's what my daughter uses. You are talking over £1000 just for the iPad.

Thank you! I should add, a lot of professional digital artists do use iPads. But if your artists already has a PC or laptop, it's worth using the processing power that's already paid for (and my daughter finds it handy to have a physical keyboard for any needed text etc). The only drawback is that the combination is less portable.

Adobe software is great but very expensive when there are free alternatives. I would only recommend Adobe if the artist is working on commission that require digital files in particular formats. If they are doing and printing their own work then it is overpowered!

Also consider a scanner. Many artists work first with traditional media, then scan the work and use digital techniques to get the final results.

Hello @mondaytosunday, fancy seeing you here! Completely agreed that iPad is great as a standalone, but it seems a shame to waste the graphics capabilities of a laptop if the artist already owns one.

I’ve got a friend who does digital art and she uses the iPad 12.9. Also good is the Wacom Intuos Pro apparently.

Oh, and Xencelab. It’s a digital drawing pad and stylus that does require an external display, so something that can be used with an existing laptop.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions for beginning to branch into digital. Much appreciated. I think I will go for iPad after reading your recommendations. Much appreciated all who contributed