Corel Painter 12 Classes Start April 7, 2012 at Digitial Art Academy

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

It is that time again.  The next session at the Digital Art Academy(DAA) begins on Saturday, April 7th.  Registration is open and will remain open until Friday, April 13th.  Gosh, Friday week is the 13th…I wonder if there will be a new Friday the 13th movie.  I digress. Let’s get back to those classes.  If you have never taken a class at DAA, taking one is a real treat.  And if you have taken one, I’m sure you are ready to take another one.  The participants of the class download all the lessons and resources and can use them at their leisure.  Most classes have PDFs and video lessons.  Some classes have live sessions using Go To Meeting.  The live sessions are recorded and available to all.  The teachers are laid back, informative, and always ready to answer questions, and comment on the work.  Here is a rundown of the current classes.

For Painter 12 beginners, Elaina Moore-Kelly returns with Introduction to Painter – Part 1 and 2.  Part 3 will be coming next session I understand.  You will love Elaina’s classes.  They are very detailed and cover everything.  She uses a lot of PDFs, which makes referring to the materials very easy.  These classes are very reasonably prices, as are all DAA classes.

Introduction to Painter - Part 2, Week Three

Learning to Paint Elements in Watercolor Landscapes with Corel Painter 12 is a delightful class and very popular.  The instructor, Joan Hamilton,  focuses on the Digital Watercolor Variants and makes them sing.  This class is a must for any watercolor enthusiasts; Joan’s vast knowledge is amazing. 

Corel Master Painter, Karen Bonaker, teaches two classes this session.  The first, ArtRage-Brush Course-Watercolor and What’s New in ArtRage 3.5, gets you up and running in the New ArtRage Pro 3.5.  The second, ArtRage Pro Watercolor and Mixed Media, takes you to the next level.  Karen’s teaching skills are exemplary, and she is the most popular teacher at DAA.

Karen Bonaker's Brilliant Pears in ArtRage Pro 3.5

Registration also begins for Open Studio, Summer Skies.  DAA has four Open Studios per year; Summer Skies takes the number two slot for 2012.  Karen Bonaker is at her best with Open Studio.  She maneuvers in and out of a many media, whatever the participant want to use, and brings extra knowledge and skill to all.  Do not miss any Open Studios.

A Summer Sky, Corel Painter 12

I am teaching six classes this session; none are new.  If you are still in Painter 11, and I highly recommend you update, I still have three self-study classes: Intro to Painter 11, The Basics, Intro to Painter 11, Beyond the Basics, and finally Channels Selections and Masks. 

An example of a Wild Auto Painting done in The Basic Class using Painter 11

For folks transitioning from Painter 11 to Painter 12, try my Painter 12, A New Beginning class.  I cover all that is new in Painter 12.  This isn’t for beginners, please be familiar with Painter 11.  I love watercolor in Painter 12, especially loose, splashy, washy watercolor.  In The Basics of Watercolor, that is exactly what I teach.  I do love  brush making in Painter 12, too.  Obviously, I must have a class in Brush Making Basics for Painter 12. 

Splish Splash a Watercolor Tree in Corel Painter 12

I hope to see all of you at DAA this session.  You will love it and become part of the family right off the bat.

Skip

Alpha Channels and Watercolor with Corel Painter 12.1

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Friends,

I promised to do video tutorials about Alpha Channels several weeks ago.  I finally bit the bullet and produced 7 videos.  Before you start to watch, if you haven’t already watched the videos on selections, please do so.  An alpha channel is simply a storage device for selections, so you need to be familiar with selections to see the power of Alpha Channels.  I didn’t cover every thing about alpha channels; it would be impossible in 7 videos.  My class on Selections, Channels, and Layer Mask for Painter 11 has around 30 videos.  There is enough information to get you started with channels and how to use them with a watercolor painting.

At some point in the videos, I begin painting an iris.  I used one of my photographs as a reference and I cloned the image.  I received so many requests for more on cloning and channels.  There is a lot in this post; have fun.  The final image looks like this, but believe me when I tell you it didn’t look like this until the end.  I had a lot of fun painting it…well, it got a little tense at the end.  I show you everything and it was taking so long I felt I needed to speed up.  I thought I could do some stuff off camera and I did a little, but I forgot to turn off the recording. 

Watercolor Iris

Watercolor Iris done using Alpha Channels and Corel Painter 12.1

In the first video, I give you an introduction to alpha channels, which from now on I will refer to as channels.  A channel is a storage device for selections, so I explain how that works.

Video two demonstrates how to use the channel panel and its various functions.  This is where the power of channels begins to shine.

The third video I start getting the reference ready for cloning.  I took my original photo and changed it in different ways and then set each variation in the clone source panel. 

In the fourth video I actually begin painting.  About time, right?  I usually start with a sketch and the background.  In this case, I used the reference as a guide for the sketch.  It is a simple way to plot a map for your painting; even folks who can’t draw can do this.

And now for the fifth video.

“Good grief.  How many of these things did you say you did?  Nobody is going to watch them.” Kevin suddenly appeared and startled me with his jibe.

“Where have you been?  I haven’t seen you for weeks.”

“Oh Skip!  I love the new computer.  It is so roomy and I have lots of places I can go and hang out with my buds.  You may see me infrequently from now on.”

“Buds?  What buds?  Are they viruses like you?  Are they good viruses like you supposedly?  Have you infected my computer with your friends,” I wailed.  My voice sounded a bit too high-pitched.

“Never you mind about my friends.  They are my friends and they are here to stay!  See you later.”  And with that he was gone.  Oh my gosh, what now.

Okay, the fifth video I start painting the flower.

I have no idea what I did in the sixth video.  I know I thought I was close to the end, but no…there is another video after this one. 

In the seventh and final video, I finish the piece.  Aren’t you glad?  The image takes on a completely different look.  I like the finished product.

Well dear friends, that’s all for this post.  I hope you can find something useful.  As always, comments are welcome and if you have questions, I will try to answer them

Skip

PS: I just realized that I haven’t posted the brushes that I used.  It is very late and past my bedtime.  I promise to post them tomorrow.  See ya then!

Here they are:  Painter 12.1 watercolor Iris Demo brushes

Wow, this is so much easier than what we had to do before.  Everybody…upgrade to Painter 12.1 today!!!

Hot Fix for Corel Painter 12.1 Available

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

Corel Painter Support, just announced a hot fix for Corel Painter 12.1.  The fix corrects brush lagging after undo and flip canvas; issues with Real Watercolor Variants; and impasto information is maintained when saving as a RIF with embedded clone source.  Please read the installation information about installing this hot-fix.   I am so glad about this hot fix since I work primarily with real watercolors.

OK…gotta go and install the new hot fix.  Thank you bunches Corel Development Team.

Skip

PS:  I thought I would post a quick watercolor I did just so you know that I am still painting.  Hope to post a tutorial very soon.

Lonely Fir done in Corel Painter 12.1

Open Studio – Street Scenes Starts Tomorrow at DAA

Posted by Skip Allen on

It’s Not Too Late To Register!

Hey Friends,

Our first Open Studio starts tomorrow at the Digital Art Academy.  Corel Painter Master Karen Bonaker is the instructor and we have a special guest, Denise Laurent, who is the creator of Dens Oil Brushes.  Karen’s Open Studios are always fabulous and I learn so much from them.  You can register up until the end of the first week of class, but do try to join early tomorrow.  Karen scheduled the  first live session at 12 Noon tomorrow Eastern…or New York Time.  If you miss it, no problem, recordings are posted for all participants.

So what is Open Studio?  It is a class session for everyone with a skill level of Intermediate or Advanced with Painter.  Karen uses Painter 12.1 for her demos, but you will be fine with versions IX – Painter 12.1.  But take it from me…upgrade to 12.1…you will be glad that you did.

Karen visited the Tuscany countryside in Italy and brought back tons of wonderful pictures.  She offers her pictures as references or use photographs of your own.  There is a specific goal outlined each week, which help us expand our knowledge of the software and find inspiration in the world around us.  Karen has posted two images for the live session tomorrow.  I don’t know what she has in store for us, but it looks like she wants us open for change experimenting with the subject as we go.  Here are her two images posted.  Aren’t they wonderful?  I can’t wait for class to start.

Street Scene

One of the Street Scenes for discussion in live session.

Street Scene

Another version for live discussion

.To register for the class go to Digital Art Academy Open Studio.  I know you will love this class!!!

 Skip PS: Here is a note that describes the skill level needed in the class. Beginners with exceptions. If you are just learning how to use Painter, this may not be the class for you. But something to look forward to as your skill set improves. You should know your way around the Interface and be able to add layers, understand how to use the Quick Clone function, and be able to work with a custom set of brushes.

Corel Painter 12.1 Brush Management, A Primer

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hey Friends,

I worked on this post for a while.  The topic is brush management.  I hope this post and its companion page explains the file structure for Painter brushes in a way that is understandable.   I truly believe that problems with brush installation are going to disappear as soon as we get started using the new Brush installation system that made its début with Painter 12.1.

I have a video that gives information about the new system, but I also have a rather long written document that explains the “behind the scenes” file structure.  Look for the document on my blog page Brush Management for Painter 12.1.  I provided the same document as a PDF, which you can download and keep as a reference.  Also, re-visit any of the download pages because I have added files that automatically load a library or a brush category into Painter 12.1.  The video will explain it.

Before I forget it, I want to say that all this information is my understanding of how it works.  I am not an expert in any of this.

Here is the video that explains how we load and share brushes going forward in Painter 12.1.  I want to thank the developers for making the new system.  It is fantastic.

I hope you enjoy the video and the PDF.  Comments are welcome.

Enjoy,

Skip

New Wacom Driver has been Posted

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

This is just a quick announcement to let you know that the Intous Wacom Driver I announced here is now back up and available for download.  I didn’t check for Cintiq or other Wacom Products.  I am not sure this is available for other countries or not.  The driver I downloaded indicated it was World Wide except for Eruope, Africa, and the Middle East.  Check at the Wacom site for those countries.  Wacom added a new feature.  You can see my video about it here.

That’s all for now…post again soon,

Skip

What’s New in Painter 12.1 Webinar ready for download

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

Corel Master Painter Karen Bonaker and I had a webinar today demonstrating what is new in Painter 12.1.  Karen recorded the session and we have the recording available for you to download.  We hope you enjoy it and find it useful.  Thanks to all those that attended.

What’s new in Painter 12.1 webinar recording.

I really love Painter 12.1 and I know you will too.  The new brush management system is fantastic.  Thank you Corel Painter Developers.

Have fun with Painter 12.1,

Skip

Webinar, What’s new in Painter 12.1

Posted by Skip Allen on

Here is some great news.  Corel Master Painter Karen Bonaker just announced at her blog a Webinar about what’s new in Painter 12.1.

Here are the basic details:

Join Skip Allen and I as we take you through the new additions to Painter 12.1. We will cover many of the new features and take questions as well. Hope to see you there! Reserve early as seats are limited.

Date: Monday January 16th, 9am Pacific Standard Time

Topics Covered:

  • Brush Management
  • Brush Categories
  • Exporting and Importing Variants, Categories, and Libraries
  • Enhanced Brush Preview
  • Workspaces
  • Mixer Pad
  • Plugins
  • Cloning with Crosshairs showing

Be sure to jump on over to Karen Bonaker Art to register.  Once again, register early due to limited seating.

“You didn’t say limited seating, did you?”

“Hi Kevin,” he startled me but I didn’t yelp.  “Yes, I did say that.  What of it?”

 Sanctimoniously he replied, “It is a virtual meeting dummy.  There are plenty of seats at the viewer’s residence or office.  You have a limited places for attendees.”

Sometimes I hate that virus, no matter that he claims he is a good virus.

“And, BTW, where is the new computer? I am ready to move into my new home.”

“Keep it up Kevin, and I may change my mind about letting you stay.  If you must know, Dell/Alienware has delayed the order once again.  Currently, the delivery date is Jan 19.  As far as I know it is still in stage one of production.  I have order several computers from Dell and I have never gotten one delivered when promised.  I guess they over promise and under deliver.”

“Why do you keep buying from them?”

“I don’t know.  I am beginning to think misguided loyalty.  Receiving delay notifications takes all the fun out of getting a new computer.  Such a bad marketing technique,” I said with a sigh.

Don’t forget to register for the webinar…it is going to be fun.

2011 in review

Posted by Skip Allen on

I thought that some of you might enjoy this 2011 annual report prepared by WordPress.  I found it interesting, and I really am glad that WordPress provides this sort of information.  As a matter of fact, I have enjoyed having a WordPress blog and would recommend WordPress to anyone.  A tutorial about alpha channels will be coming soon, Skip

Here’s an excerpt:

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 76,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.