XPPen Artist Pro 19 (Gen 2)

Whether you’re a pro artist or a passionate hobbyist, this pen display offers something for everyone with beautiful colour and accurate drawing

The new Gen 2 range from XPPen comes with some big headline features, not least the boast of offering Calman-verified colour performance. After using the new Artist Pro 19 for a number of weeks, we can honestly say those promises are backed up.

This medium-sized pen display is competing against some of the best drawing tablets released recently, and is becoming sought after. XPPen isn’t shying away from the fight for artists’ cash with a 4K resolution, two 16K pens, and three colour modes.

If you’re a hobbyist you can plug in, get painting and it’s simply fun, but pro artists will enjoy the deeper customisation options, size, spec and colour profiles and performance. This drawing display has one foot in both markets, and each will love it.

WELL BUILT

The Artist Pro 19 feels more solid and less plasticky than previous budget pen displays. There’s a definite stepup in build quality, while retaining many of the popular design features from previous XPPen tablets. For example, this display has the same subtly curved wrist mount at the tablet’s bases as last year’s Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2), but here it feels stronger. Despite the more affordable price, this drawing display feels premium.

Many of the design features are unsurprising but nice, including the fold-out feet to stand the display in a gradual incline. The rear VESA fittings mean it can be set up vertically and used as a second display, for conference calls or entertainment.