Testing Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 2010

I have loved the idea of creating work from start to finish using the graphic tablet, and Autodesk’s Sketchbook Pro software has long been my preferred software of choice for that, since it has the most natural flow of traces mimicking sketching on paper to an almost identical degree, customizable brushes, and a highly intuitive interface using the tablet logic to the fullest degree. However, trying to do inking on the program was sort of a pain, since canvas rotation was very limited and that, in “real life” I’m used to turn the paper in all directions to ink. So I rather preferred to scan in an inked drawing.

The 2010 version of the program comes with a set of great upgrades, but the one that’s really, absolutely awesome for me is that the canvas can be rotated in any direction using the stylus – just like the real thing! Plus, there are also great ruler, ellipse and mirroring tools that can simplify greatly the process of drawing. But the canvas rotation feature alone is worth the upgrade.

So, to test the new Sketchbook Pro I went to draw this slightly more “realistic”, or older portrait of Diego from start to finish, and giving myself a maximum of two hours to complete it, color included. I am astonished at the results. Lines definitely come more naturally to me and I guess it shows. Allowing some more time, the possibilities may be almost endless.