Uses

Here's some stuff I use - for art, tech, printing, crafting, and so forth. Also some opinions on what things to use.

Page created Sept 9, 2024.

Hardware

Desktop PC 💻

I use this computer for everything. Art, gaming, streaming, gooning, etc.

Shane helped assemble the parts for me. Some parts I got from my brother, some I got from other people. I ain't exactly rendering 3D animation with this setup, but it works for drawing and playing New Vegas for the 50th time. Maybe I'll upgrade when I do want to do 3D animation! You shouldn't use my hardware as a reference for anything because it's just old stuff I found, and you can probably find newer and better things.

  • OS: Windows 10 Home Edition. If you want me to use Linux, come to my house and install it for me lol.
  • Monitor: ASUS VG245H 24". Looks good to me, have no problem with the displayed colors matching my printer.
  • Mount: MOUNT PRO Single Monitor Desk Mount. It tends to tilt down. Probably want to replace this with something that keeps that thang level.
  • Keyboard: Basaltech Pink Keyboard with LED backlights. Does its purpose of letting me type in the dark.
  • Speakers: Creative Pebble 2.0 USB-Powered Desktop Speakers. Sounds fine to me.
  • Scanner: Canon CanoScan Lide 300. I think I was just used to using this line from school. I use it for art and documents.
  • Microphone: Samson G Track Pro. Got it from my brother. Sometimes a man needs to make sick pro-gaming callouts via comms. Or I guess I'll narrate videos sometimes.
  • Mouse: Rii Wired Mouse with RBG light. Does its purpose when I play FPS games. Otherwise I use my drawing tablet to click on stuff.

Printer 🖨

This lil crapper gets its own section cuz printers are notoriously fickle.

  • I currently use a Canon iP8720. It's inexpensive, and works well for docuemnts, prints, zines and stickers. It can handle a 17 inch wide piece of paper, which is about as big as I need right now for comics and prints.
  • For printing shipping labels I use a refurbrished Munbyn 4x6 ITPP941. It's also great for printing small stickers for packaging, sealing, and other labels at home. I've heard other people say that used Zebra label printers (LP2844, ZP450, ZP500, ZP505, GX420d, GC420d, GK420d) are much better for the price.
  • I used to have a Canon Pixma Pro 100. The magentas were much more vibrant with the Pixma, and I'd still be using it if it didn't get busted during a lightning storm. If I were to get a new printer, I guess I'd go for a newer Pixma Pro, or one of them Epson Ecotanks.
  • The first printer I ever bought for art was a HP OfficeJet 7610. I would recommend against "all-in-one" printers because usually if one part breaks (like the scanner), you can't use the rest of the machine. They also don't do any one thing particularly well - the scanner will probably be low quality. You can get less expensive printers and scanners seperately for better value.
  • For more information and suggestions on printers, I recommend reading Red River Paper's reviews. I use Red River Paper for my art prints, so I trust them.

Drawing Tablets 🖊

I've used a Wacom Intuos 4 Medium (PTK-440) since like 2014, and don't have any plans on changing unless I get something for free.

I like the price, the pen pressure, and the tilt sensitivity. I don't use any of the shortcuts or touch screen properties tbh. My wrist also feels better using a tablet instead of a mouse for SURFIN' DA INTERNET and playing video games.

I usually buy cheaper used ones on eBay for ~$50 whenever I happen to break mine. The replacement pens are like $100, so don't lose those LOL. With my inhuman hulk hands, I tend to injure my tablets at the hole where the USB wire connects to the tablet. I don't like handheld digital drawing devices (ipads, pen displays) because it feels bad to have my flesh rub the screen, and it feels bad for my posture.

Other tablets I've used, sorted by brand:

  • Wacom Cintiq 24HD: Used at my school for a couple of years, did the bulk of my Hospital animation on it. It's not bad at all! I just personally don't like how the monitor feels under my hand, even with a drawing glove on it rubbed me red n' raw. I would absolutely use one now if I had the money and space (this thing is heavy and chunky). If you can find one for under $300, you should get it then give it to me along with a new room and desk:P
  • Wacom Intuos Medium (CTH-690): 2022, got it used on eBay for $50. I had to replace a broken Intuos 4, and thought maybe the new line of Intuos would work. You gotta be careful with Wacom's rebrand of the Intuos, pay attention to the model numbers to figure out which era you're getting! The newer Intuos are more basic, while the older Intuos were the "deluxe" editions compared to the Bamboos. It feels decent, and was worth the money. It doesn't have tilt sensitivity though, so that ruined the workflow I had when I was working on the Injection Fairy designs. I traded this one to Shane for HIS Intuos 4 and liked the Intuos 4 better.
  • Wacom Bamboo Capture (CTH470):My first tablet EVER, in 2012. $90, my great aunt bought it for me as a gift. Thanks auntie. It served its purpose well as an entry level tablet. Bamboo line's pen pressure is def not as responsive as the Intuos line. When I upgraded to an Intuos, I gave this away to my friend to teach his drawing classes.
  • Huion H610: Now that's an old one! This was in 2014, the early days of Wacom alternatives, and I wanted something inexpensive + portable that I could use with a laptop. The software for this tablet was not good at all, with a documented history of just straight up not working for some computers. I didn't like the pen pressure, no matter how I set it up it made my hands cramp. I've heard that Huion drivers are much better nowadays. I don't know where this one went. Maybe I gave it to a friend too?
  • Huion 420: 2021, this thing was pretty dang cheap at ~$20. It's not advertised for drawing, so it didn't feel that great, but I just needed something that could make a line on the screen. Would probably be great for playing certain video games. Plus it has a funny model number! Have it in storage for backup.
  • VEIKK A30: 2020, about $70, the brand contacted me and offered me a free tablet for a review. It was fine. It had the same issue that I had with the Huions, in that I didn't feel comfortable with the pen pressure. Didn't have tilt detection either. Have it in storage for backup.

For additional information on tablets, please read:

7P Drawing Pens for in depth information and reviews of digital drawing implements, and

David Revoy's blog for detailed reviews of tablets.

Software:

For art 🎨

  • Clip Studio Pro 1.5: Get it on sale, pay $25 once for lifetime use. Feels great to sketch and ink lineart on this. The downloadable asset library with offical and user made tools is fun to trawl!
  • Adobe Photoshop CS6: Used to main this for drawing for a decade before I switched to CSP. I've used PS CC[whatever number] on school and work computers, but I hate subscription models. I don't feel I'm missing anything by using a much older version. I think CC has brush stabilization, and newer brushes may not be compatible with older versions. I don't really care though, cuz I draw with CSP now. I use PS for editing and the "save for web" feature that CSP doesn't have. I love PNG-8 files!!!
  • Aesprite: My wife uses this for pixel art and loves it. I trust him. I'll use it too if I make pixel art.
  • PureRef: Sometimes I need a wall of reference images, and this works well.
🚧 to be continued... 🚧

If your scalp is still itching for answers, shoot me an email.