Does Size Matter on a Drawing Tablet

Researching for a drawing tablet is a daunting task with so many variables to consider, one of the most important of which is size.

As I just bought my latest tablet, I know this from my experience and in this blog, I hope to share some guidance on picking the best size for your drawing tablet.

The best size for a drawing tablet is a ~13in display or 9 in x 13 in. For most users and desks this is easy to manage and provides more room to draw. The best size for drawing tablets without a screen is closer to your monitor size so on average that would be ~21 in. A bigger size like that is also best for artists that work full time or use big canvases traditionally.

In this post I will go over what size drawing tablet you should get.

Having a drawing tablet with a screen or without one is another important factor we will look at that will affect the optimal size.

In addition to screens, there is a range of options I will further delve into to along with a list of the top 5 tablets to help you choose the best size for your tablet.

What Size Drawing Tablet Should You Get?

The best size of a 13-inch display or 9in x 13in tablet is based on several important factors. Users and their desks being the main two reasons.

With a 13in display being a little bigger than a regular 8.5 in by 11in letter size paper it is a size almost everyone is familiar with handling.

Desk Space

On average desk space with a keyboard and monitor, ~13in is just the right size to fit with room to draw and comfortably use the tablet.

Resolution

13 inches provides enough physical dimension to get 1440p resolution screens on average which is more than enough for any digital art purposes.

Weight

At around 13 inches the average weight of the top 5 most popular tablets was around 1.78lbs making them very light. This is great for artists who like to rotate their sketchpads a lot as they work.

Affordability

Affordability for tablets with displays around 13 inches is great with prices for the top 5 most popular ones starting as low as $200.

Availability and Variety:

13 inches is a popular size for displays as this is close to a regular tablet's size it's a more appealing product for manufacturers as there is an established market.

Big brands like Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung all have tablets in this space with professional drawing capability.

Portability:

13 inches is the perfect size for a portable drawing tablet with around an 8.5in x 11in footprint.

At the size of a paper and weight under 2lbs you can take it wherever you go just like you would a sketchbook but with all the added benefits of going digital.

Best Drawing Tablets at the Best Size (13-16 Inch*)

*Below is a short list of some drawing tablets around 13 inches. I created a range for the size with a couple of very slightly larger and smaller ones.

This was to make sure the list was of the best drawing tablets overall I could find available not only the best 13-inch drawing tablets.

Obviously, you need to make sure that these drawing tablets will be a good match for your needs, so do your research! This is just a list to get you started on your search.

1. Wacom Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet with Screen

Wacom Cintiq 16 16 Inches

The most popular highly rated & reviewed drawing tablet with a screen made specifically for artists.

2.GAOMON PD1560

GAOMON PD1560 15.6 Inches

Half the price of the Wacom Cintiq 16 but the same size with similar great performance.

3. iPad Pro (4th Generation)

iPad Pro (4th Generation) 12.9 Inches

Apple portable tablet that is used by professional artists all around the world for their work.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ 12.4 Inches

Android tablet, not as good as the iPad Pro for the purpose of a mobile drawing tablet but just the same is used by professional artists to make professional work.

While 13 inches is the best for most, there are still some of you for whom this may not be true. This includes those looking to purchase drawing tablets without screens and traditional artists working with bigger canvases.

What Size Should a Drawing Tablet Be For Professional and Traditional Artists

Traditional artists accustomed to bigger canvases and professional artists, in general, might not find a 13-inch display optimal for their purposes.

Transitioning from digital to traditional is an entire process on its own that I provide a guide for in my post here.

Limiting your size will most likely make this transition more difficult if you are spending a lot of time producing a lot of work.

Professional artists who are working full time or 40 hours a week drawing might also favor bigger tablets.

Bigger tablets will enable you to draw using bigger movements and ergonomically make the work more sustainable.

The best size for you would be something closer to your traditional canvas size. Workspace is not as big an issue as your traditional art took up a lot of space originally so a larger tablet is a great option.

Tablets can reach sizes up to 32 inches or more so you can rest easy knowing there is a range of options to choose from.

Of course, bigger tablets will cost more as well so be prepared to invest to get that bigger size.

Accessories like arms or stands can achieve the same effect as easels to handle the much bigger tablets. For traditional artists, this will help further emulate your workflow and ease the transition to digital art.

Best Size for a Drawing Tablet Without a Screen?

Drawing tablets without screens are appealing as a first time purchase at their much lower price points. However, I would advise against them for pretty much everyone.

Drawing tablet technology has evolved and competed to the point where drawing tablets with screens and displays are now as affordable as those without.

While you may sacrifice some size having a drawing tablet with a screen is worth losing 2-3 inches of drawing space.

For those of you who still wish to purchase a drawing tablet without a screen, the best size tablet for you is closer to ~21 inches.

With no display, you will want your drawing tablet size to be closer to the size of your monitor and if possible the same size. This is because the way drawing tablets without screens work is by mirroring your monitor.

But if the tablet is much smaller this mirroring is scaled down to be able to match your bigger monitor's size.

Effectively this visually disconnects you from your drawing and art as your lines don't appear where you draw them but scaled-down and repositioned every time.

By purchasing a bigger tablet the same size as your monitor you now have a perfect mirroring process where the lines appear in the same space on your monitor relative to where you drew them on the tablet.

Overall and performance-wise a larger 21-inch tablet is definitely a better size for those using drawing tablets without screens.

While this is true, the change to a larger size like 21 inches will still be jarring for those used to working on smaller spaces.

Combine that with the fact that you have to learn how to draw with a disconnect in your hand-eye coordination. Looking at the screen while drawing on a tablet is a difficult and strange process.

This is why I've written an entire post on if you should get a drawing tablet with or without a screen.

I've given you the spoiler advising you to go for a drawing tablet with a screen here but I dive into more of the benefits and reasons why you should there.

Is a Bigger Drawing Tablet Better?

Bigger drawing tablets are better for those looking to invest more in their drawing. Not only in money but time and space as well.

Professionals working full time as I mentioned previously would be the only ones able to take advantage of all the extra size on a bigger drawing tablet.

These professionals would have to be artists trained to draw properly with their arms and bodies not just their wrists and hands.

Usually, only traditional artists have this skill developed. Anyone else will need to spend the time to learn this skill.

The Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 is one of, if not the best large drawing tablets. At 32 inches it is one of the biggest as well.

Compared to the 8.5in x 11in footprint of our best size for a drawing tablet at a 13 inch display size 32 inches is HUGE.

Using the Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 as an example, it's dimensions are 33.6in x 19.9in.

You're most likely going to need a bigger desk if you don't already have your own big home office setup. With a monitor and keyboard, most average desks couldn't even fit this tablet let alone give you the room to use it comfortably.

The finale brings us to the price. Using the Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 as an example to keep consistency, it costs $3,299.95.

So while yes bigger is better, you still have to make the decision if the investment is worth it for you and something you can make.

As I have been clarifying the reason the best size is not the biggest is because for most people it is gratuitous at the least and even damaging for some.

Beginners tend to find it difficult to use bigger canvases as they feel they must draw more to fill them. This issue alone can be overwhelming enough.

Add the difficulty in handling a 32-inch drawing tablet on a regular-sized desk with a keyboard and monitor and most people would welcome anything smaller.

Ergo … a 13 inch tablet is the best size for a drawing tablet.

Check out my other blog posts for more information on drawing tablets and digital art.

Does Size Matter on a Drawing Tablet

Source: https://makedigitalart.com/what-is-the-best-size-for-a-drawing-tablet/