Wacom Tablet
 

Even though I am having the time of my life playing with my new Wacom Tablet, I would like to know if and how anyone uses it for painting.

A fun little story to share:

I just got this thing. I didn't have any idea how to use one so during the time of the day when I am unable to paint (mainly because my 3 1/2 year old is up and about) I practice.

It is now our new game. I set him in front of the computer display while I sit in back of him with my tablet and pen in hand. Then, I ask him to think of an animal (or what ever I feel like drawing) and of course, because he is unable to keep it to himself what he thought of he blurts out " A COW" (lucky me, a clue) and miraculously (to him anyway) one starts to appear on the computer screen.

He is amazed!!

software for painting
 

You may be using photoshop (which is good) - but for freehand painting the best program I have found is MetaCreations Painter - It is pretty deep, but you can customize your brushes and have a lot of options you don't have in Photoshop (a combination of the two is nice).