Where Art Meets Work — An
Artist's Canvas for
Both
Productivity and Inspiration
Reading duration: Approximately 7 minutes
As an artist who also juggles client work, deadlines, and business tasks, I've long searched for that perfect device that doesn't force me to choose between creativity and productivity. The traditional separation—laptop for work, sketchbook for art—has always felt unnecessarily cumbersome. That's why discovering the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" has been something of a revelation for my creative practice.
This tablet doesn't just accommodate both sides of my professional life—it actively enhances them. Whether I'm responding to client emails in the morning or sketching landscapes at sunset, I've found a single device that transitions between these modes as fluidly as my own thinking.
Lihua Wong
Malaysian artist Lihua Wong blends Eastern calligraphy with Western watercolours, creating art that crosses cultural boundaries. Her soulful female portraits have earned global recognition, leading to partnerships with brands like Christian Louboutin and Bentley. With exhibits from Beijing to Italy, her work speaks a universal language that connects viewers worldwide.
In this article
Why I Finally Embraced Tablet Life
After years of resistance (I'm admittedly old-school about certain artistic tools), several
scenarios finally convinced me that a quality tablet wasn't just nice-to-have, but essential:
• When traveling to client meetings, I needed to present work professionally without lugging my
entire studio
• Quick inspiration strikes when I'm nowhere near my drawing table
• Client revisions often come while I'm on the go
• Reference photos, drawing tools, and business apps all needed to live in one place
The benefits quickly became clear: my backpack got lighter, my responsiveness to clients
improved, and most importantly—my creative practice expanded because the tools were always at
hand.
Finding the Right Tool for Both Sides of My Brain
After trying several options that disappointed in one way or another, I learned to evaluate tablets on
criteria that matter to both the artist and professional in me:
• Display quality that doesn't compromise on colour accuracy (crucial for client approvals)
• True pressure sensitivity that actually feels like drawing, not sliding on glass
• Processing power that handles large Photoshop files without frustrating lags
• Battery life that lasts through a day of meetings and field sketching
• Stylus performance that doesn't break my creative flow with connectivity issues
The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" as a Professional Workhorse
In my daily client work, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" has replaced my laptop for all but the most specialised tasks. The WPS Office suite deserves special mention—this isn't a watered-down mobile version of office software that has you reaching for your laptop when "real work" comes in.
I can now:
• Open multiple reference documents alongside my working file (game-changer for complex
projects)
• Create and edit full presentations without compromising on quality
• Handle spreadsheets for project tracking and client billing on the go
The multi-window support means I can research, draft, and communicate with clients
simultaneously—a workflow that previously required a desktop setup. Better yet, I can connect to
an external monitor in my studio for extended work sessions, then grab just the tablet when
heading to my favorite café.
GoPaint: Where My Artistic Side Thrives
As someone who started with traditional media, the transition to digital
has often felt like a compromise. GoPaint has changed that perception entirely. The basic
toolset provides everything I need:
• The Splatter Brush creates authentic paint spatters that respond to pressure in ways that
feel genuinely organic
• The Fluid Brush handles like real watercolour—watching digital pigment bloom and spread
still feels like magic
• TrueColour accuracy means what I see is what clients get—no more surprise colour shifts at
printing
What truly excites me are the newer creative features:
The frame-by-frame animation tools have opened an entirely new revenue stream for my business—I now offer simple animations to clients who previously would have needed to hire a specialist. And the 3D Oil Painting Brush creates texture and depth that my clients can't believe comes from a digital device.
The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
The GENIUS keyboard deserves its name—the one-handed open/close mechanism means I can quickly
transition between typing notes and drawing, while the stylus storage ensures I never face that
moment of panic when I can't find my pen before a client meeting.
As for the screen—it's simply the best drawing surface I've used on a tablet. The PaperMatte
texture creates just enough resistance to make my pen strokes deliberate, not slippery. I can
actually hear the pen against the surface, providing that tactile feedback my artist brain
craves.
Lighter bag, better results—what's not to love?
Finding Freedom in the Field
The anti-glare screen has transformed my outdoor sketching practice. I can now draw in the park at midday without fighting reflections—something even my traditional sketchbooks struggle with in bright conditions. Drawing a sunset while actually watching the sunset is no longer an exercise in squinting and frustration.
GoPaint's capabilities continue to surprise me even after months of use. The watercolour effects respond with such natural physics that I often forget I'm working digitally. With just a few finger taps for undo/redo and colour picking, my workflow feels faster than traditional media without losing any of the spontaneity.
What impresses me most is the absence of lag. After struggling with noticeable delay on previous tablets (those connect to PC or Laptop), drawing on the MatePad feels instantaneous—my line appears exactly when and where I expect it.
The expanded brush library delivers immediate texture and character to my work. That watercolour wash effect that used to take careful building now happens with a single stroke, and tapping the pen creates delightful splatter effects that add just the right touch of spontaneity. My field sketches have transformed from rough references to finished pieces I'm proud to share directly with clients.
Having the camera integrated means I never miss a moment of inspiration. That perfect cloud formation or interesting architectural detail gets
captured, sketched, and annotated in one seamless workflow—no more juggling between camera and sketchbook.
For artists like me who work on location, this tablet answers that eternal question: "Did I pack enough supplies?" The answer is always yes—my entire studio now weighs less than my old hardcover sketchbook. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" hasn't just replaced my portable tools—it's
expanded what I can create when inspiration strikes away from the studio.
My Creative Life, Reimagined
The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" has genuinely transformed my creative practice by removing the artificial boundary between "work mode" and "creative mode." I no longer need to schedule separate time for administrative tasks versus artistic creation—both flow together naturally on a device that adapts to my needs throughout the day.
Whether I'm generating concepts for clients, refining final artwork, or simply capturing inspiration when it strikes, having professional-grade tools always at hand has made me both more productive and more creative. The technical limitations that once dictated when and where I could create have largely disappeared.
For creative professionals seeking to integrate their artistic practice with business demands, this tablet represents a genuine solution rather than a compromise. It acknowledges that creativity doesn't operate on a schedule, and professional needs don't disappear during creative moments.
FAQ
What tablet can write notes on like paper?
After trying numerous options, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" comes closest to replicating the feel of writing on paper. The PaperMatte screen provides just enough resistance, and the sound of pencil moving on it actually tricks my brain into thinking I'm using a traditional medium. For artists with years of muscle memory from traditional drawing, this makes the digital transition much more intuitive.
Does a tablet increase productivity?
In my experience, absolutely yes—but only when it truly replaces multiple devices. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2" has increased my productivity specifically because I'm no longer switching between devices for different tasks. When a client calls about changes while I'm sketching in the field, I can handle their request immediately rather than waiting until I'm back at my desk. This kind of seamless workflow simply wasn't possible with my previous setup.
What can a tablet do that a laptop cannot?
From an artist's perspective, the natural drawing input is irreplaceable—no trackpad or mouse can compete with direct stylus-to-screen creation.
This article is a sponsored collaboration with Lihua Wong. The views expressed are the author's personal opinions and do not represent official product claims. Actual performance may vary based on individual usage and conditions.
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