Hello, I just bought a Wacom Capture tablet and am just getting started in this graphic arts hobby. I'm afraid my 'art' is at the preschool finger-painting stage and I'm just starting to get the hang of using the tablet to navigate and draw. I can see how this could become lots of fun. Way back in my college days I did dabble in oils and painted a few pictures, even sold a couple, so I guess technically I'm a professional - but I would use that word very loosely - and the last painting I sold was oh about three decades ago. But I had fun painting back then and think maybe this much cleaner digital medium could reignite some of that artistic joy I had then, and without the mess or cost of oils and canvas, to say nothing of the smell of turpentine.

I debated getting the "Splash" edition of the Bamboo tablet because it came with Artrage3. From what I can see I can see at first glance Inkscape offers pretty much the same features, and I like the price. I also am looking at GIMP. I do have Adobe Elements and I didn't even realize it can be used to create images from scratch as well as editing photographs.

I have a home built PC I put together last fall and am running both Windows 7 and Winodws 8 on my new rig. I found several graphic arts programs in the WIndows 8 app store. Still trying to figure them out, but they look like children's programs. I think my time will be better spent learning to use Inkscape, GIMP and Elements. Capture also came with Autodesk's Sketchbook which from what I can tell is better suited to technical drawing - more of a CAD program than an art program, although from some of the samples I guess you can create some awsome art in Sketchbook Express too.

Well I've got lots to learn.

FKD
Alberta, CANADA

Welcome to InkscapeForum

I don't use a tablet, but I more or less approach graphics like a kid with crayons! But in some ways, with Inkscape, you almost have to.....which is not to say Inkscape is a child's toy. But anyway, I hope you have as much fun with inkscape as I've had.

Please feel free to ask for help in Help Using Inkscape subforum, or to post your work in Show It Off section, if you like

Hi,
Welcome To The Inkscape Forum, and to Inkscape.
Since your new to world of Digital art you are in a for a real treat.
I see you've decided on using Gimp to, and thats great as it compliments Inkscape so well, and will extend the range of
what you can create. If you haven''t already done it download a copy Of Tav's Book (you can find it using the link in Brynns signature).
And check out the built in Inkscape help tutorials, they're svgs and you can practice right there on the page. Don't hesitate to ask in the forum if
you run into a problem, or cant figure out how to translate a traditional painting or drawing technique to this new, digital medium.
Someone here may know the answer to your question, or be able to find it...and in any case we'll do our best to help.
See you around the forum.