Best drawing tablets for artists and students

Best Gifts for Artists and Students

October 27, 2021

Decision fatigue – we’re all experiencing it and the fatigue seems to be growing as we reach the most decision-dense season: the holidays. Add a bit of expectation and family obligation and this year the holidays may just end up with all of us lying on the ground, staring at the ceiling willing gifts to appear from thin air. And maybe those gifts will magically appear, but if they don’t, we’re here with some decisions pre-made for you.

Before we jump in, why should you trust us with your gift giving? We’re Wacom – we’ve been making digital pens and tablets for nearly 40 years now. You’ll find Wacom products beneath the pens of artists at the major studios, car brands and apparel companies. We’re also powering the technology teachers are using in the classroom – giving teachers and students the ability to draw, solve math equations and mark up documents digitally without the frustration of a mouse. Bonus: these gifts are totally unconventional! You don’t need to worry about the let down of watching someone open a bundle of socks or underwear. A Wacom tablet will be a crowd-pleasing-knock-their-boring-old-socks-off surprise.

Best gift for students and new artists who are showing promise and passion

Wacom One

Best drawing tablet for students

Image by Shireen Faridniya.

Draw right on the screen of the Wacom One. Our entry-level pen display offers the same reliability and compatibility as our more professional products. Students can use the Wacom One with select Chromebooks, Android devices, PC or Mac and create diagrams, written notes or use it for their art classes. This one is also great for anyone drawing fan art, manga, or people ready to get creative with their social media content, especially their photography or web comics.

Runners up: One by Wacom or Intuos pen tablets. Both the One by Wacom and the Intuos are compatible with Chromebook and both are great for gift givers who want to support a growing artistic passion.

Best gift for freelancers, new college grads, and anyone who still gets a thrill every time they get paid for their art

Wacom Cintiq

Best drawing tablet for freelancers

The Wacom Cintiq is built for artists who are starting on their professional path, whether that path leads them to illustration, photography, video editing, 2D/3D design or animation. It’s durable so it will last through all of those early job jumps, and it’s ergonomically designed for those late night drawing sessions. Wacom partners with the professional creative software companies so your favorite artist will be using the same drawing tools as their heroes. The Wacom Cintiq is a workhorse – it’s a daily driver, reliable, professional, and necessary for any artists who’s building their career.

Runners up: Intuos Pro, Wacom One. The Intuos Pro is a pen tablet that offers many of the same pro-level features as our Cintiqs, including ExpressKeys and more than 8,000 levels of pressure. Wacom One is our small display designed for anyone who wants to start trying their hand at digital art.

Best gift for the artist who has it all or any artist who wants to buy a gift for themselves

Cintiq Pro 16

Best tablet for artists

Hot off the presses, our new Cintiq Pro 16 brings back everyone’s favorite feature: ExpressKeys. And it offers some new features, including easy connection (all you need to do is connect the USB-C cable to your computer), VESA mount compatibility and improved touch control. The Cintiq Pro 16 is perfect for photography, illustration, or video production.

Runners up: Intuos Pro, Wacom One, Cintiq. If you’re looking for a smaller Wacom product for mobility, try either the Intuos Pro or the Wacom One. If you’re after more screen real estate, go with the Cintiq 22.

Related posts:

Shop the Wacom eStore*

When you shop on the Wacom eStore you get access to discounts, financing, extended warranties, and our industry-leading customer support team.

Connect with Wacom on Social

Who's your favorite Pokémon? 💦🍃🔥⚡⁣
⁣
Some nostalgic friends for #FridayFanart with amazing art by @philipsue_art. If beautiful landscapes, process videos, and art tips are your thing, Philip's page is the place to visit!⁣
⁣
#MadewithWacom #digitalart #animation #art #artprocess #fanart #pokemon #pikachu
5679 24
Digital kitchen time! 
Here's the last of @patrick_4d's digital burger tip series. We hope you tried making your own burger or at least went out and got one for sustenance 🍔🍔🍔
Thank you Patrick for making us the most delicious digital burger we could have wished for. 
#wacomwantsaburger
576 16
This is a reminder for you to embrace your geek side! 🚀

For those who spend hours designing a new skin for their character, creating 3D models of their favourite video game or programming special effects for movies.
Your art makes us proud!

How are you going to celebrate? 👇

#GeekPrideDay #Geek #ArtistsLife
842 5
Tag your other half. ✨💕⁣
⁣
We had to share the love with @yuyo.psd's heartwarming illustration. 🫶⁣
If you like the flow and colors of Yuyo's design, make sure you check out their page for more colorful artwork! 💜⁣
#MadewithWacom #digitalart #illustration #art #graphicdesign
691 8
From concept to reality, @pixebo’s home office is brought to life to create a cozy place to sit down with their Wacom Cintiq and get to work! ✨✍️

#WacomWorkspace #digitalart #homeoffice #deskgoals #wfh
1716 13
Discover the technology behind #CintiqPro24 🚀⁣
⁣
The #WacomProPen2 provides state-of-the-art creative pen technology, meaning every stroke, every move of your hand is followed with unerring accuracy. 💫⁣
⁣
Want to discover how it feels to draw with it? Check the link in bio!⁣
⁣
#Cintiqpro24 #CreativeProfessionals #CintiqPro
707 14
Colorful creative portrait by artist @valerie.loves.colors to start off your week. 🌈☀️🍃⁣
Valerie finds that people and colors give her the most inspiration. She points out that everyone is unique and vibrant in their own way, much like the color spectrum! 🎨⁣
⁣
#MadewithWacom #abstractart #digitalart #art #portrait #illustration
473 6
The importance of taking breaks ❤️

We’ve seen absolutely identified with the words of @ms.shortyj 💫 Taking care of yourself will help you grow as an artist.

Stopping is not quitting, is just taking a pause of the path to get another perspective 😉

What other things help you when you feel this way? Share it in the comments!

#Artistslife #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
1280 18
If you could design your dream workspace, how would it look like? 🚀⁣
⁣
Tell us in the comments what are your must-haves! 👇⁣
⁣
#WacomWorkspace #ArtistWorkspace
633 14
Don't mind us, we're out here dreaming of @patrick_4d's Wacom burger this weekend. Check out these juicy tips he shares to help you create the best looking digital burger ever! #wacomwantsaburger 
Are you participating in our burger challenge? Visit the link in our bio for more details and a chance to win some cool Wacom prizes.
735 11
Serene moment in time. 😌🌊 Slice of life shot and retouched by photographer @ashrafularefin. ⁣
#MadewithWacom #photography #streetphotography #OldDhaka
535 5