Top 5 Reasons an Artist Should Invest in a Digital Board

Thinking of going digital? A digital board (graphics tablet or pen display) can dramatically speed up your workflow, improve precision, and unlock creative options that traditional tools can’t match. Below are five practical reasons artists make the switch—plus tips and next steps.

The Big Benefits

From non-destructive editing to unlimited brushes and texture control, digital workstations are designed for iteration and experimentation. Here are the headline advantages:

Top 5 Reasons

Speed & Efficiency: Undo, layers, and reusable assets accelerate concepting and revisions.
Precision & Control: Pressure sensitivity and tilt deliver natural line weight and shading.
Infinite Materials: Thousands of brushes, textures, and color libraries—no extra cost per canvas.
Budget-Friendly Over Time: No consumables; upgrades are optional, not constant.
Client-Friendly Workflow: Quick revisions, clean exports, and easy versioning.

Video: Should You Buy A Graphics Tablet For Art? All You Need To Know!

Where to Start

If you’re ready to explore options, browse our curated picks for artists of every level. We compare sizes, pressure levels, and pen display features to help you choose confidently.

Explore our latest recommendations: Best Digital Boards for Artists.

“Digital tools don’t replace skill—they make your skill faster to apply and easier to refine.”

Next Steps

Set a budget, decide between a screenless tablet and a pen display, then match size to your desk and posture. Our buying guide covers all of this in detail: Digital Boards Buying Guide.

What a “Digital Board” Actually Includes

When we say “digital board,” we’re talking about two families of tools: (1) a screenless graphics tablet that sits on your desk and mirrors movement to your monitor, and (2) a pen display with a built‑in screen that you draw on directly. Both track pen pressure and, often, tilt for natural line variation. The key difference is hand–eye coordination (looking up at a monitor vs drawing on glass) and ergonomics (desk height, stand angle, and posture).

Costs, Value, and Return on Investment

Moving to digital can feel like a big purchase—but costs level out quickly. You’re no longer buying paper pads, replacement markers, canvases, or specialty inks. Brush packs and textures are reusable forever, and you can duplicate canvases for variations with no additional cost. If you take client work, the real ROI is in revision speed: layers, masks, and vector tools shorten feedback cycles dramatically.

Entry level (£50–£150): Compact screenless tablets that are perfect for sketching, studies, and line art.
Mid-range (£200–£500): Larger tablets or smaller pen displays, ideal for learning color workflows and client jobs.
Professional (£600+): Bigger pen displays with wider gamuts and better anti-glare, built for full‑time use.

When you’re ready to compare options by size and budget, browse our curated picks in the digital boards guide.

Software Ecosystem and File Hand‑Off

Whether you use Procreate, Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, or Affinity Photo, a digital board integrates seamlessly. Use layered PSDs for hand‑off, export TIFFs for print jobs, or share flattened PNGs for quick approvals. Building simple export presets (web, print, social) saves time on every project.

Common Drawbacks—and How to Mitigate Them

Glass Glide vs Paper Tooth: Add a matte screen protector or textured overlay to improve control.
Wrist Fatigue: Lower pen pressure settings in your driver and use larger, flowing arm movements.
Color Mismatch: Calibrate your display and work with soft‑proof profiles for print.

Need hardware that plays nicely with color workflows? Check our artist‑tested digital board recommendations for models with solid color accuracy.

Who Benefits the Most?

Concept artists and illustrators benefit from rapid iteration, while children’s book artists love the flexibility of textured brushes and easy color exploration. Graphic designers use tablets for precise paths and masking, and hobbyists appreciate the low cost of experimentation.

Mini Setup Checklist

Pick your size: small (portable), medium (balanced), or large (expressive strokes).
Dial in driver settings: pressure curve, button mapping, and pen sensitivity.
Set a comfortable angle: stand at 20–30° for pen displays or keep tablets flat for wrist health.
Create export presets: web (sRGB, 2048px), print (CMYK/TIFF), and social crops.

For beginner‑friendly models that are easy to set up, see our beginner’s digital board picks.

FAQ

Is a pen display necessary to start?

No. Many pros prefer screenless tablets for posture and price. It’s common to start with a tablet and upgrade later if you crave drawing “on glass.”

Will my lines look wobbly?

Practice helps, but stabilizers and smoothing tools are built into most apps. Lower your pen pressure and draw longer shoulder‑driven strokes for cleaner lines.

What size should I buy?

If you sketch with your wrist, a small/medium size feels great. If you draw from the shoulder, medium/large gives you room. When in doubt, medium is a safe starting point.

Putting It All Together

Digital boards expand what your hands can do: faster iteration, cleaner revisions, richer textures, and professional files that clients love. Start with something reliable, build a few brush presets, and commit to short daily practice sessions. When you want model‑specific guidance, our comprehensive digital boards roundup compares sizes, prices, and features so you can buy with confidence.

Quick Exercises to Feel the Difference

Try three 10‑minute drills: (1) long straight lines and ellipses for control, (2) a 3‑value study of a simple object to practice edges, and (3) a 10‑brush exploration where you pick only two favorites at the end. Limiting choices helps you focus on results instead of tools.

Next, recreate a small traditional piece digitally. Match the original’s texture and contrast using overlays and grain. You’ll see how quickly digital can iterate toward the same mood with far fewer restarts.

Choosing Your First Device

If budget is tight, start with a medium screenless tablet—great posture, low cost, and excellent for inking. If painting is your priority and you want direct‑on‑glass control, a pen display is worth it. When you’re ready to compare options, see our best drawing tablets roundup and top pen displays for artists to shortlist a few models.

Final Recommendation

Pick a device that removes friction, keep a tiny brush set, and practice small every day. The compounding effect is real. For curated, up‑to‑date picks across sizes and budgets, visit our graphics tablets buyer’s guide and choose a device that fits your space and style.