Category Archives: Skip Allen & Painter 12

I Love Corel Painter Lite and Have Had So Much Fun Today

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

Today, for laughs, I opened Corel Painter Lite, and I definitely had a blast.  There is so much about the program to like.  It is mean, lean and speedy.  It paints like a dream. Anyway, I wanted to practice some stuff I have learned lately.  And Corel Painter Lite was the obvious choice.  I love taking classes, both digital painting classes and traditional painting classes.

In the traditional painting classes I always ask if I can join the class but use Corel Painter instead of real paint and brushes.  Most folks don’t mind.  Anyway, for a long time my friend and mentor, Karen Bonaker,  has been preaching value drawings, which I have resisted doing.  And another mate and mentor, Tim Shelbourne, has shouted into my deaf ear, value drawings dear boy, value drawings.  Sigh, I’m not really hard of hearing, more like hard-headed.

Then I found a school while searching the web called Tucson Art Academy.  The school also has an online school presence with online classes for traditional artists.  I checked out their online courses and found several that looked appealing.  I decided to take a course called A Painterly Approach to Street Scenes and Architecture taught by Phil Starke.  I did enjoy the class, but the fates were against me…Phil talked about value sketches and value paintings a whole bunch, just like my buds do.  Surely there is a law against such torture.

Cornered by my friends and Phil, listening to them sing the praises of value drawings and value paintings, I had no other choice but to make value sketches.  Before I forget and feel the wrath of Tim, a proper British gentleman, in the Queen’s English he reminds me that the correct term is tone not value.  Tim will not listen to my comments about how Old English is exactly what it is, old.  That’s why software comes in American English now, you know.  Oh boy, I’m really asking for it now.

Anyway, I did take Phil’s class and I used Painter 12.2 SP1.  This morning when I opened Corel Painter Lite, I was just going to mess around.  But as I started playing, I realized that Corel Painter Lite is a great program to practice making value drawings and paintings.  And why not make a video of the process.

Some of the time, I work from my imagination, other times, I use a reference photograph.  Corel Painter Lite does not have a clone options, and I’ve heard a few folks say they really miss it.  So, I decided to work with a reference; I used a photograph I shot from our upstairs deck looking at the backyard with a utility building right in the middle.  Well, the class was about scenic streets and architecture; doesn’t the utility building count?

I am a fantastic photographer…my nose just grew 3 inches.  Here is the image that I decided to use.

Backyard

Exciting picture of my backyard.

I have no idea why I took this picture.  I’m pretty sure I was checking out some button on my camera.  Obviously I need to salvage the photograph making it useful for a painting.  Did I go to Photoshop, or Corel Painter 12.2? Nope, I did it in Corel Painter Lite.  Doesn’t sound so lite anymore, does it?  I think we forget from time to time, that in Corel Painter or Corel Painter Lite, we are painting.  We do not need perfect photos.  I’ve seen some incredible paintings using poorly shot cell phone camera images as references.  So the first video is about how I tweaked the photo in Corel Painter Lite.  Enjoy.

OK…photo looks good.  What’s next?  I could start my value sketch from scratch.  But I wanted to make my value sketch in a way that I didn’t have to draw or block it freehand.  I think I have a good solution.  You will have to decide for yourself.  In my second video I prepare the canvas.

Now, let’s not forget that this whole exercise is about making a value sketch followed by a value painting followed by making the finished full color painting.  The last video for today does create a value sketch.  Oh, I forgot, one other important concept that my two pals and Phil harp about is simplification.  I’m not a simple person, well maybe I am, but my paintings tend to include everything seen plus the proverbial kitchen sink.  Value sketches are a great simplification tool.  Reducing an image to 3 or 4 values definitely simplifies the image.  So instead of working with details, I am working with large shapes that have a similar value.  Value sketches are stress free because they need not be perfect copies of the reference.  I can really let go of details with a value sketch.  The third video shows how I did it.

OMGosh, I heard what you are thinking.  My value sketch is the pits.  It isn’t, I promise.  It is FANTASTIC; just wait.

I mean that, you have to wait.  See, I have this idea that maybe some of you might like to paint along.  Download the Corel Painter Lite free trial.  Go on…do it…and paint along with a photograph of your choice.  I think you will love it.

Update: I discovered today that there isn’t a free trial download for Macs, only for PCs.  The Mac version is sold through the Apple Store, not through Corel.  Sorry, I should have checked more closely.

Enjoy,

Skip

Make a Signature, Corel Painter 12.2, an Answer to a Question from Paul

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everybody,

A question came from Paul via the Digital Art Gallery.  He uses Elements to make a signature and recently saw someone make a signature brush in Photoshop.  He wanted to know if you can make a signature in Painter 12.2.

Absolutely Paul, you can make a signature in Painter 12.2.  Check out this video:

Well, wouldn’t you know it.  I forgot to talk a bit about the Text Tool.  I will save covering the Text Tool in-depth for another time.

Okay, that is how I would make a signature in Painter 12.2

Enjoy,

Skip

Pressure is the Key, Corel Painter 12.2, A Question from Maribel

Posted by Skip Allen on

UPDATE:  DAA and Painter Talk are up and running again..  Yeah  Skip

 

Hello Everyone,

Before I do anything else, I would like to announce that the Digital Art Academy and Painter Talk are now back up and running.  I want to say a big thank you to Karen Bonaker, the owner and creative force behind DAA and Painter Talk.  And, I must thank Ken Foster, Karen’s IT guy, who worked tirelessly to get us back up and running.

The following video is in response to a question by Maribel about digital watercolor.  She was not getting the same results I was getting; her colors were too dark.  Thanks for the question Maribel; I hope this video helps.

Enjoy,

Skip

Blog Search and Make Your Wacom Driver Sticky

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

First, let me mention that the Digital Art Academy and Painter Talk are still down.  Hope it will be up and running today, but as I mentioned before, it was a critical server failure.

I have two videos for you in this post.  Again, I am basing these videos on reader responses.  I noticed that 2 Debs were having an interesting discussion about Wacom Drivers here.  One of the questions was very general and mentioned a problem with Wacom Driver failures.  In the discussion, directions for uninstalling and installing Wacom Drivers.  It is a very good discussion and I really like it when you guys talk to each other.

Some of the information needed is on my blog, but you wouldn’t find it just poking around.  In the first video, I show how to use the search function within the blog.

The second video is about making your Wacom Driver stick.  Please note that this is not a scientific response.  When I have a problem, I usually poke around pushing buttons.  Anyway…this tip seems to work for me; but I cannot say it will work for all PC users. This is a simple fix…do give it a try.

Search the Blog:

Make your Wacom Driver Sticky

Enjoy,

Skip

Digital Art Academy and Painter Talk Friends…announcement about the server

Posted by Skip Allen on

UPDATE:  We are back up and running.  Thanks for your patience.

Hello Friends,

This is just a quick announcement to tell everyone that we had a critical server failure yesterday, and both Digital Art Academy and Painter Talk cannot be accessed.  We are still down as I write this note.  Expect to see us up and running later today Keep your fingers crossed and send Karen lots of positive thoughts.

Hang in there…we will be back soon,

Skip

An Answer for Deb; Corel Painter Brushes and Installation

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I guess I am back.  I had planned to be back in a couple of days, but I got a note from Deb, which I felt needed answering via a video.  So here we are posting a little early.  You can read the exchange between Deb and me here.  Go to the bottom of the page; you will find her questions there.

Basically, Deb installed a couple of categories, but when she did, she couldn’t find her Painter 12 brushes anymore.  She did a shift start and that allowed her to see Painter brushes again, but not my brushes.

This is one of the most common questions I get.  Actually, I get the most questions about brushes in general.  I have decided that I am going to do a series of videos about Painter Brushes in general.  Not just installation, but everything I can think of that I might know about brushes.  I hope you enjoy them.

So, Deb, let’s start this thing off with answering your question via this video.

Enjoy,

Skip

Corel Painter Freestyle, Check It Out! I love it.

Posted by Skip Allen on

OMGosh Folks,

Painter Tutorials added a video showing Painter Freestyle using a Leap Motion controller.  The controller isn’t available yet, but google Leap Motion and you can pre-order.   It is very reasonable; I have pre-ordered.

Want to see a demo?  Check it out.

It is amazing.  I’ll be back with more posts later.  I’ve been hiding. :)

Enjoy,

Skip

More Performance for Macs, Corel Painter 12.2 Service Pack 1

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hey Everybody,

Yesterday, the Corel Painter team released Service Pack 1 (SP1).  It includes a number of documented bug fixes and performance optimization for the Mac and PC.  For complete information about SP1, do read the Corel Blog post by Andy Church.

Here are some of the highlights from Andy’s Post:

“The patch includes a specific performance optimization option for 64-bit Mac systems that have traditional SATA hard drives. Because Painter 12 for Mac is a 32-bit application, and the 64-bit version is still in progress, our team wanted to deliver this service pack as a sign of good faith and to let you know the Mac platform is equally important to us.”

“So what does the Mac performance optimization option deliver? The option, which is called the Mac Memory Manager, lets you take advantage of more your system’s available RAM. It also lets you control how much of your system’s RAM you want to designate to Painter. When you install the service pack, the Memory Manager is NOT enabled. For information about enabling the Memory Manager, please refer to the Read Me.”

I know this is great news for Mac users because it will definitely improve performance.  Be sure to read Andy’s blog for the rest of the information.  Painter notifies you of an update, if you have notify me of updates active.  Otherwise click here for the Service Pack.

Please, do not think this Service Pack 1 is only for Mac users; it is not.  There are bug fixes as well as the performance enhancement.  You do want to download Painter 12.2 SP1.

Enjoy,

Skip

 

Color Harmony, Corel Master Painter Karen Boniker’s Newest Painter Focus Class

Posted by Skip Allen on

Corel Master Painter Karen Boniker holds a series of classes called Painter Focus.  Each is wonderful.  I have loved each one.  Color Harmony starts on Saturday, Jan 19, 2013.  Registration closes tomorrow…I think at the end of the day, but I’m not sure…it is best to register right away.

You can register here: Painting with Color Harmony

Karen's Red Roses Painted in Corel Painter 12.2

Karen’s Red Roses Painted in Corel Painter 12.2

What it’s all about:

Where: Online working at your own Pace
Appropriate for: Beginners and Beyond
When: January 19th-26, 2013

Included in the Workshop:
  • Enjoy two live sessions with your Instructor Painter Master Karen Bonaker
  • Learn new tips on using color and picking colors from your source images
  • How to avoid common mistakes with color
  • How to mix colors for perfect color harmony
  • In depth exercises that will get you thinking about your color choices
  • Video demos, step by step downloadable files, tips and tricks
  • Support and feedback with Master 24/7
  • Final live Critique and Q&A Session, all live sessions are recorded if you cannot attend

Do join the class…you will be glad that you did.  Karen is wonderful and so helpful to everyone.

Enjoy,

Skip

2012 in Review and Wishing you a Very Happy New Year

Posted by Skip Allen on

Happy New Year Everyone,

It’s that time of year again.  WordPress provides an annual report for all the blogs.  Below you will see mine.  It is amazing to me.  Last year I got about 75,000 hits, but this year the numbers increased to around 260,000.  People in 169 countries have visited the blog.  Isn’t that incredible.  I don’t know the total number of countries in the world, but I think it is around 195.

When I started the blog, I had no idea that it would grow like it has.  I am so thankful for the blog followers.  I believe the blog has grown thanks to the followers spreading the word.  You folks are the best!  I want to send a special thanks to Corel Master Painter Karen Bonaker.  Her blog, The Art of Karen Bonaker, referred many folks to my blog.  As a matter of fact, of all the referrers, she ranks in second place.  Thank you so much Karen.

Take a look at the report.  The map is a little hard to read; the countries that are darkest blue generated the most hits.  Lighter blue indicates fewer.  There has been only one visitor for 10 or so countries and another 10 have two hits.  Those will be almost white.  Regardless of the color, the blog has had visitors from 169 countries.  I know I said that in the first paragraph.  Guess what?  I’m going to say it again.  Folks in 169 countries visited Skip Allen Paints.  I’m sorry, but that just blows my mind.

Thanks everyone for making my 2012 a fabulous year.  And thanks WordPress for preparing the year-end report.

Happy New Year,

Skip

“Hold on mister!  Are you going to mention me and tell everyone that I wish them a Happy New Year, too.?  I didn’t get a chance to wish anyone a Merry Christmas, nor did I get any presents from you.  I think that is just tacky!”

Those who are new to the blog may not have met Kevin, the resident “good” computer virus.  According to Kevin, a good virus is sort of like the good witch in the Wizard of Oz.  I’m not so sure.

“Hello Kevin, I was wondering when you were going to show up.  I don’t have much time today, so get it out of your system.  Wish everyone a Happy New Year.”

With a snort, he said, “No need now…you blurted it out already!”  And with that he turned and vanished.

I think I really hurt his feelings this time.  I’ll make up later.

Enjoy,

Skip

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

About 55,000 tourists visit Liechtenstein every year. This blog was viewed about 260,000 times in 2012. If it were Liechtenstein, it would take about 5 years for that many people to see it. Your blog had more visits than a small country in Europe!

Click here to see the complete report.