How long does it take to get comfortable with a drawing tablet?

Most beginners need 2-4 weeks of regular practice (30-60 minutes daily) to feel comfortable with a screenless tablet. The main adjustment is drawing on the tablet while looking at the screen. Pen displays feel natural almost immediately since you draw where you see. The good news: tablet comfort is a one-time investment — once your hand-eye coordination adapts, it becomes second nature and never feels awkward again.

Do I need an expensive tablet to make good digital art?

No. A $70 Wacom Intuos or $50 XP-Pen provides all the hardware capability you need. The limiting factor for beginners is always skill, not equipment. Professional digital artists have created masterworks on tablets costing under $100. Invest in learning drawing fundamentals (perspective, anatomy, color theory, composition) through free YouTube tutorials and practice. Upgrade your tablet only after you have outgrown it — most beginners never actually outgrow a quality starter tablet.

Best Digital Art Tablets for Beginners 2026