Making Videos of Drawings? Equipment Recommendations?

[chelletoons]

So, I've recently just started a blog on how to draw cartoons and while I was posting my finished picture and writing out the directions step by step I realized it would be much better if I could somehow record the drawing and post videos so you could see it step by step. There are a lot of other videos like on youtube and stuff I could use, but I don't really like to do that because it's not my cartoons that I drew.

Granted, nothing I draw is that very complex, but I'm thinking my stuff is mostly for the very artistically challenged anyway - for example, I drew a dragon that was pretty easy and simple, but my hubby says he would never be able to do it on his own.

So....what I need some advice on is what kind of equipment and software would work for me?

I draw all of my pictures by hand and with a Sharpie marker onto paper usually. Sometimes I will use a dry erase board.

I know how to make videos of things you do on your computer, but I don't have the ability to draw on the computer because my hands are just not steady enough (even with programs like illustrator I have trouble with this). I have seen pens that supposedly let you draw pictures on the computer but I worry something like that would be no better than one of those horrible things for the credit card signature at the grocery store. (I haven't found a place that has them to test out, either)

So I am thinking maybe if I get a video camera somehow I can transfer the videos to my computer - but then I would need editing software also...and that I don't know what to get either! And if I'm going to get a video camera, is there one that takes still pictures to? And ideally saves all your videos to an SD card?

I have a PC and a Mac, so that doesn't matter...just need some ideas of how I can make my own videos for my computer of me drawing!

Thanks for the help! There is so much talent on this site that someone should be able to point me in the right direction!

[Gorgonzola]

A quick thing regarding the pens that draw on computers (the top brand is called Wacom, by the way): They're most certainly NOT like the ones you find at grocery stores to write your credit signature. They're quite responsive and accurate, and the only problem I can think of them is that they tend to be a little slick (especially if you're use to friction from paper,) and that if you buy the non-screen tablet, you'll need to get used to the disconnection between your hand/eye (since you won't be looking at where your hand is going.)

Anyway, onto the video thing. If you have a Mac, you're set for the editing/importing part, since you can use iMovie (which, as long as you aren't looking to do extensive professional editing, will suite pretty much everyone.)

As long as you have a camcorder that has some sort of wire for transfer (firewire, USB, these days it doesn't matter which one,) you'll be able to transfer your video from the camcorder to the computer. This isn't just new camcorders either, you can get one from a couple years back (4-6 years, I think,) that will have either one of those ports.

Besides that, good lighting, a cheap but sturdy tripod, and you're good to go!

[chelletoons]

Thanks for the help!

I kinda figured the pens would be better than the ones you see at the grocery store, but I wasn't sure if they would actually work for me any better or not. I saw them in a tech magazine I got awhile back though and thought "ooh, ooh, i want one!"

I usually use PC but I can see if my hubby has it on his Mac, he is more of the one good for editing stuff anyways.

As far as the camera goes, i didn't know you could just import video like that. I do know lighting is the most important part though - I have a few good desk lamps I was planning to use.

Thanks again! If anyone else has some experiences or recommendations I'd appreciate it!