The Broken Tablet: My Tale of Woe

If you follow me on Twitter, you already know that I lost my tablet to the creativity gods yesterday. It was a pretty devastating blow, due to timing. I was finally at a point where I was ready to make the more impressive concept art for the project I would like to start working on and looking for contributors for. I had pulled out my sketchbooks for reference and was ready to go. Unfortunately, my tablet wasn't. It passed away. I say it like that because I honestly feel like I have lost a friend.

Broken Bamboo

It is an older tablet. A Wacom Model that I can't find information for on their official website anymore. The Bamboo Create. It served me well for a great many years. I was hoping to use any profit from the upcoming graphic novel project to replace it with something more suited to my growing needs. I just didn't get my timeline right, and my tablet decided to die of old age before I was ready. I suppose I should have seen it coming. The response was becoming delayed and the pressure sensitivity was getting "wonky". I was making it work, though. I guess part of my hesitation to save up and make the plunge into the better equipment had to do with my irrational emotional attachment to the tablet I had gotten used to. It was my first tablet. I'm still not "over it."

Fundraising Efforts Have Begun

I have already updated the fundraising page for the website to the geared towards my specific goal, which is to get a Wacom Cintiq. I have the price listed for a brand new, direct from WACOM version. However, depending on the success of my fundraising efforts - I am not opposed to getting one used or refurbished. There are concerns however, due to the sensitivity of the equipment, that used or refurbished may not be the best way to go if I want to make sure this tablet works for at least as long as the Bamboo Create did.

Some Examples of what I can do with a Digital Art Tablet:

Being Realistic

The Cintiq is my honest and serious long term goal for my equipment needs. Even if I manage to come up with something equal to my Bamboo Create that will hold me off until I get the big guns, I'll be happy. I know that $1000 is a lot of money. Especially within the creative community.

I'm saving my own money up as well to be added to the fundraiser funds. So, there is a real shot that the goal isn't too unrealistic. However, I don't really see myself patiently NOT DOING DIGITAL ART while I try to get the Cintiq. At least, If I am able to get ahold of like a basic Intuous or something I could open up some digital portrait commissions to help make the goal. In fact, I'd much rather be able to give people something in return for their kindness than out-right take handouts. Let's see how this goes, shall we?

You can view the Fundraiser HERE.