Masterful Gifts for the 21st Century Artist [Giftguide2010]

It’s a renaissance obtainable and 21st century artists have better be prepared. Whether your relatives are aspiring creative professionals or just eager to take the newborn steps into digital art world, you’ll find the tools for them here.

1. Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended, $333: That’s probably the most powerful tools accessible and its capabilities are near endless. Whether your artist wants to eliminate planet-sized pimples, photobomb a picture with cigar guy, create an elaborate digital painting, or really anything his or her heart desires-Photoshop can do it all. [ Newegg ]

2. Corel Painter 11, $79: In the event that your artistic pal’s only intention is digital painting, take the cheaper and more focused route with Corel Painter 11. For the normal artist moving digital, the toolset is perfect. Natural media brushes will have him or her drawing in believable charcoal, pencil, oils, acrylics, and even things as organic as watercolors- all without the aftermath of paint-stained jeans. [ Amazon ]

3. Wacom Intuos 4 Tablet (Wireless), $349: Wacom tablets are foreign tools to lots of people, but the moment they use one they may be overcome with feelings of regret for all those mouse-filled moments. They’ll suddenly have the ability to control their computers with steady kung-fu accuracy as hundreds of programs are optimized for unlocking the tablet’s potential in full with pressure, angle, tilt, and rotation sensitivity. This can be a have to have for anyone excited about digital art. [ Buy ]

4. Wacom Cintiq 21UX, $1,999: This can be the mac daddy of the digital art world. A 21-inch digital easel with a robust metallic adjustable base, ergonomic hotkeys, and unprecedented control-it takes the technology of the intuos 4 but adds within the conventions of a little screen to give one of the most intimate interaction possible with a computer. Remember to get your artist some glass wipes as he’ll be drooling around the world this magnificent beast of a machine. [ Amazon ]

5. A Mac? Or a PC?, $-$$$: Let your budget and your dear artists OS preference guide you here, but know that each one of the nice software and accessories run flawlessly on both systems nowadays-as long as the systems are powerful enough. With Photoshop now supporting OpenGL and being optimized with its own 64-bit version, a formidable computer makes a worldwide of difference. When going the PC route, definitely sacrifice convenience for price and buy parts to build instead of going for pre-built models-you’ll finally end up with a Mac Pro’s power (or better) for only half the worth whenever you play your cards right. Fortunately for you, I actually have taken the liberty to play the appropriate cards. Look into the break down within the image above. [ Apple ; Newegg ]

6. iPad, $499-829: The iPad doesn’t quite have the facility or depth of a Wacom tablet and Photoshop nevertheless it is a slick and straightforward device that makes for the last word digital sketchbook. Ultra-portable and disguised as something people might actually use for work, iPads have a plethora of drawing apps. And nothing hones an individual’s drawing skills quite like sketchily (pun intended) drawing the old man sitting across from him in Starbucks. [ Apple ]

7. A Sketchbook, $20: Alright, regardless of how tech-savvy and progressive someone might be, there’s nothing quite like a pleasant personal sketchbook. People often roll their eyes at ” green” products but sketchbooks are an instance I really think offers the next recycled product besides the fact that your conscience doesn’t need clearing. This brown recycled paper sketchbook offers a super surface and is a touch less intimidating than the stark white void of ordinary paper. [ Amazon ]

8. Drawing Pencils, $9: To move together with that stunning new sketchbook be sure you pick up your artist friend a group of drawing pencils. Staedtler makes some damn fine drawing utensils and a fixed of twelve certainly won’t break the bank. [ Dick Blick ]

The burning sensation that comes from holiday shopping isn’t from rubbing against the unwashed masses at malls: It’s looking to decide on presents for everybody for your list. Gizmodo’s daily gift guides and best gadgets list are the all-natural, non-smelly cure.

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This post is tagged: digital art world, digital painting, intimate interaction, magnificent beast, natural media brushes, unprecedented control, wacom cintiq 21ux