Cool stuff. Tutorials are a good thing. I noticed in the first one looked like he was using the dodge and burn tool. That's one I've been experimenting with a lot lately for the same type of effects. Before I'd change the paint color and go over it with the darker or lighter color. Now I've seen the light!
It's so much quicker with the D/B tools...
We used Wacoms in school and they're awesome. I have an el cheapo pad from Aiptek that I use. I picked it up when I was getting started and it's still going strong. Eventually I'd like the Wacom but budget says cheap is good for now. Check this link.
http://www.aiptek.com/ Go to PC tablets. Sorry all you fruity guys
, PC's only. I've got the 12000U. Works great for my needs and is 1,000,000,000 X better than a mouse. Occasionally they sell refurbished models even cheaper. I remember the Wacom being more pressure sensitive and a little more precise, but this works great for now. It's a perfect starter pad for you guys that haven't experienced one.
Another thing that I use that helps is I recently picked up a free monitor from a friend that upgraded his. I now have dual 14" monitors, and I have my art on the one in front of me and my tools and i-tunes or my folder or whatever on the right. On that small of a screen having no tools on my art board not taking up space makes a huge difference, and I love being able to migrate through folders or have an example photo from the web on the other side to reference without minimizing all the time. Just food for thought.
