iPad for an artist

kah22

A piece of advice please.

My sister, her husband and myself are heading off to our local Apple Store on Monday to buy an iPad. The 12 1/2 iPad Pro is what they are looking at, the reason for this model is that he is a professional artist normally using oil on canvas  but would like to have this for ideas, sketches, and so forth. I should say that he or my sister are particularly keyed into computer.  I stumble along with the help of forums and YouTube

So a few questions

1. Am I directing them in the right direction by stealing them towards the 12 1/2 iPad Pro or are they best getting something. They have made up their mind on Apple.
2. I’m  supposing that a stylus pencil is almost a must. However I see Apple is selling their pencils from £89 up.  Is a pencil, is an Apple Pencil necessary considering he probably be doing some fine work?
3. A keypad, again I know you can have a Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad but would he need it.
4. Finally software. There is an international artist called David Hockney and seemly he uses an iPad, almost exclusively, and a free app called Brushes. I must admit that doesn’t sound right to me

Anyway there you are and I really would be grateful for any advice offered, and please if you feel I’ve missed out on something don’t hesitate

Kevin

Neil_Jones

Why do you need an iPad for (presumably rough?) sketches, ideas and so forth?  Isn't that what a notepad and a pencil would do the same job for which you can pick up from the pound shop often as a set, and then make them look pretty and professional at a later date on a canvas...

Or am I missing something?

[Deleted User]

Only my opinion but given that this is a money saving forum and it sounds like the 3 of you have never used an iPad or the "Brushes" app - I'd think twice before you spaff over a £1000 on something that you are so unsure of.

For starters, the very powerful iPad 12 pro won't really be of much benefit over a lower spec model or even a second hand older one for a bit of brushing of colours so I don't know how you landed on that model specifically being the one you need?

If it is the 12" that is the deal breaker then you can pick up Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 12" tablets for about £500-£600 that would equally be as capable of doing some artwork on, can't see how the Apple 12 Pro would make the artwork any better? And it comes with the "pen" for that price!

Shave another inch off and you could be looking at an 11" Lenovo tab for about £249.

Although Android tablets don't specifically have the Brushes app, there are hundreds of art based apps just like the Apple product.

If it really must be Apple, then a 2nd gen 12.9in iPad pro sells for around £500-£600 as well.

I'm no art critic but if this is what David Hockney calls art from an iPad then I'm not convinced personally, my kids did better with a £1 pack of felt tips at primary school age.



But then again, it is not my £1000 to spend.

kah22

Neil I get where you are coming from and to a large extent I agree with you.  Personally I think the Pro and price are over the top for what he needs. I would disagree about the notepad and pencils for he is very particular about his colours and details, some people describe him as a colourist !

TM I’m writing this on an iPad Air 4 and I suppose the only reason I have it is because I have an iPhone and they do talk to each other but I do like it.  I don’t know why they choose an iPad: perhaps it’s due to slick advertisement and placement ads, perhaps it’s because a number of his friends in the photographic and publishing business use them and perhaps it’s because he has a gifted Apple Mac.

On a lighter note I’m inclined to agree with GM take on DH paintings.

Tell me this though. They have made an appointment to see an Apple Genius on Monday. Are the AG there to give real help or primarily as Salespersons. I’m inclined to think the latter.

Kevin

Neil_Jones

kah22 said:

Tell me this though. They have made an appointment to see an Apple Genius on Monday. Are the AG there to give real help or primarily as Salespersons. I’m inclined to think the latter.

The genius is defined as somebody who can "provide insightful advice and friendly, hands-on technical support to Apple customers in need", so...

All I'm going to say is at the end of the day if they want to spend the money because they think that's what they need then at that point its pretty much up to them.  You can stand idly by with "I told you so" when the complaints come back saying it isn't what they wanted...

swvillafan

You could consider an iPad mini, either the latest gen or the previous which I use with a 1st gen Apple Pencil, both could be picked up for less than £500 and it’s ideal for note taking and sketching. The best app you can get for art is Procreate hands down, it’s a tenner and is just awesome, watch some vids on YouTube 😊

swvillafan

that was done on my iPad mini with procreate, a lot more can be done that that tho 😊

kah22

swvillafan said:

Aaaa

that was done on my iPad mini with procreate, a lot more can be done that that tho 😊

When’s your next exhibition 😄

400ixl

You will want the Apple Pen 2 if getting the new iPad Pro and doing artwork. It is worth the extra money.

If you know of anyone who is a student, then get them to order it with their student discount to save some money.

kah22

Well they broke out bought the iPad Pro, the pencil and the keypad. I think once he saw the colour and the pen in operation he was sold
As someone involved in the education field he was able to get some discount. Now let’s see how he uses it

Sandtree

The Mrs uses her iPad Air for similar types of apps and would love the extra screen space of the larger iPad Pro but cannot justify the expense.

The one thing that changed her experience a lot was a "paper like" "screen protector" - I quote the later because it doesnt claim to protect the screen from falls etc but vastly changes the feel of using the pencil on the screen to something much more akin to pen on paper. They werent cheap, through proportionally low cost compared to your outlay so far, but always come in a pack of two.