Free Corel Painter Brushes

Posted by Skip Allen on

I have just finished a set of Corel Painter brushes called Skip’s Ultimate Thick Paint Category. When Thick Paint was introduced two years ago, I loved it and still do. I like anything painted thickly. Naturally I used them thickly. After all, they were called thick paint. I also noticed that they didn’t seem as popular as I thought they should be.  It appeared folks didn’t like to paint thickly.

The more I used thick paint the more I felt like it emulated oil paint better than any other category in Painter. But my mindset was that thick paint needed to be used thickly. It didn’t occur to me to use them thinly and more like traditional oils that are not painted with a palette knife or gobs of paint on a brush.

I think the turning point came when I was looking at a Sargent painting at Google Arts and Culture.  You can zoom in and look at the various brushstrokes.  I didn’t think the marks looked at all like our current Sargent Brush.  The strokes were bold and simple.  I have always heard that Sargent was the king of Bravura strokes.  I kept thinking that his brushstrokes looked like thick paint…thinner of course.

I created a few “thick paint” brushes that painted thinly. And in no time at all, I developed Skip’s Ultimate Thick Paint category for Corel Painter 2020. You can download them for free at the end of this post.  But first, I want to post 7 videos that talk about the brushes.  I am not going to post images at first…I want to see what you do with them.  Please download the variants and paint away.  Post your work on FB or at the Digital Art Community…or anywhere I might see it. I am curious how these variants will be received.  As I said, I love them, but I can’t speak for you.

You can download the brushes here.  Please remember, these variants were made in Painter 2020 and are only compatible in Painter 2020.  And if you like the brushes, please consider donating to the blog.  I really appreciate it.

Click the red type below to download the brushes.

Skip’s Ultimate Thick Paint brush category.

Enjoy,

Skip

Corel Painter 2020, “Speed of Light” is going strong!

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello,

I wanted to remind everyone that my class, Corel Painter 2020, “Speed of Light” is a “work at your own pace” class and is open for registration.  It opened one month ago, and we have been having a blast.  Go here to register.

Beside exploring all the new features of Painter 2020, we created images using the new variants available.  This one was made with the new Fast and Ornate category.

Corel Painter 2020, created using Fast and Ornate brush category.

Of course, I love doing inky, runny, landscapes.  I had a lot of fun with the demo of this piece.

Corel Painter 2020, watercolor brushes

Using some of my custom brushes, we painted a pastel and a thick paint landscape using the new Color Harmony Panel.

Custom pastel brushes, Corel Painter 2020

Custom Thick Paint brushes, Corel Painter 2020

The performance enhancements in Painter 2020 are fantastic.  I especially love the faster watercolor variants.  I am partial to watercolor, so of course, I played in watercolor a good bit.

Corel Painter 2020, watercolor

I enjoyed showing various techniques using Painter’s watercolor variants.

Working wet into wet and letting the paint run in Corel Painter 2020

Showing various watercolor techniques in Painter 2020

It’s easy to make thick paint run; I show how.

Corel Painter 2020, Runny thick paint

As I mentioned before, I am partial to watercolor.  I did a painting similar to this before the class.  I liked it so much, I decided to re-create it as part of a Painter 2020 demonstration.

Corel Painter 202, watercolor

There is more in the class.  Do join us, it is only $45.00 US.  Follow this link to Register.  The class will remain open for a year or more, so you will have plenty of time to “work at your own pace.”  Hope to see you in class very soon.

Enjoy,

Skip

Corel Painter 2020, “Speed of Light”…a New Class

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I am so excited to announce registration is now open for my new “what’s new” class called Corel Painter 2020, “Speed of Light.”  Register Here.  The first lessons will be available on July 21, 2019.

On June 25, 2019, Corel announced its release of Corel Painter 2020.  This is an exceptional upgrade.  The new “performance optimization” is worth the price of the upgrade.  Painter can now utilize the power of your GPU, graphics processing unit.  The GPU is a specialized chip set designed to handle images, animations and videos on the computer screen.  The GPU usually comes on your video card, but can be in a chip set on the motherboard.  The GPU takes away the graphics processing from the CPU, central processing unit, or the brain of the computer.  Having the GPU handle graphics speeds up the process.  Many of Painter’s brushes require a lot of computer power to render a stroke.  This new feature gives the brushes the power they need.  It is important to run a report that optimizes your computer for Painter 2020.  Please watch this video about Brush Optimization:

In this class, I cover all the new features of Painter 2020 and then some.

List of Features:

Performance Optimization – Painter can take advantage of multi-core systems, AVX2, and most important, the GPU on the video card.

Enhanced User Interface Elements and Brush Visual – Painter 2019 improved the UI; Painter 2020 revamps it and makes it easier than ever to paint.  Do not be fooled and think this is just a small change.  The UI changes touch all areas of Painter.  The result is ease of use but there is a learning curve.  I help you tame the learning curve.

New Color Selection Features – Oh boy, wait till you play with the color harmonies features.  This is a very useful and well thought out function of Painter.

Enhanced Layer Work Flow – Almost every layer function is now one right click away.  I love that.

And last but not least…4 New Brushes – I designed these watercolor variants.  Watercolor is so much faster in Painter 2020; the medium is a joy to use.

I promise a fun and informative class.  Registration starts on July 7, 2019 and the class begins July 21, 2019.  Register Here:

Here are a couple of fun images done in Painter 2020:

Thick Paint and Watercolor in Corel Painter 2020

Thick Paint, Corel Painter 2020

Hope to see you in class.

Enjoy,

Skip

John Derry Releases his New Emergence Brushes

Posted by Skip Allen on

I just bought John Derry’s new Emergence Brushes and love them.  As you know, John was one of the original developers of Painter…way back before Corel bought it.  According to his website, he has worked on these variants for the past 25 years and finally was able to complete them once Painter was able to use drip brushes on a layer.  As he says, there is no need for you to know or understand that statement, but it is of interest to anyone who loves to make brushes, too.

The brushes are very expressive and very versatile and use paper textures in a fresh new way.  Along with the brushes, you get a great paper library.  John has several tutorials about their use.  I played a little following his suggestions and then gave them a try using my workflow and papers.  They performed beautifully with his or my custom stuff.  This versatility speaks to John’s genius.

I have only created one image.  As with any new variant…and especially these…it will take a little time to become comfortable with their use.  I am not saying they are hard to use.  They are not.  They are just different.  I know I will continue to use them and enjoy them.  Thank you John for the great set of variants.

You can find out about Emergence and buy them at PixelArt, John’s site.  I can recommend them; I think they are terrific.  They are available for Painter 2017, 2018, or 2019.

Here is my first attempt; in time I will be able to hone my skills with these variants.  I love the way they use papers.

Corel Painter 2019, John Derry’s Emergence Brushes

Enjoy,

Skip

Free Thick Paint Brushes; New Papers Available for Corel Painter

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I finally have my new category of brushes finished.  I call them Skip’s Best Thick Paints, and I believe they are my best thick paints.  I wanted a set that included stiff bristles and palette knives.  I also wanted to create a set that would work well with a new set of papers I designed and offered by Corel called Dynamic Papers.  You can get the papers by opening Painter, then go to Help > Welcome > Get More > Dynamic Papers.  There is another set available called Natural Papers that look mighty good, too.

The following videos will tell you about the brushes, papers, and a paper script library that can be downloaded .

The previous post shows some examples of work done with the new variants.  This is a work in progress, but will show you how nice the textures can look with these variants and papers.

Work In Progress, Corel Painter 2019, Watercolor and Thick Paint Variants, and Dramatic Papers

You can download the brushes at following link:

Skip’s Best Thick Paint

You can download the Paper Script Library at following link:

Paper Scripts-1

I hope you enjoy the brushes.  I think they are some of my bests.  If you do like them and find they are useful…consider making a donation.  Thank you bunches.  Skip

Loving Thick Paint

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hey Everyone,

I’m so sorry I haven’t been posting much of late.  I spend most of my time managing my sister’s care.  She had a stroke about six years ago, but was able to continue living at home with help until April of last year.  She cannot walk any more and requires a lot more help.  She is now in a nursing home.  I live in Georgia, but she is in Mississippi.  I spend most of my time in Mississippi these days.  I do have my older computer here and can continue painting.

My Painter 2019 class is still available.  A few folks in that class requested that I do another Painter brush making class.  I did the last one in 2012.  I started it last week and hope to have it available in a month or sooner.

Lately, thick paint interests me.  I have mixed watercolor with thick paint and that has been fun.  I want to perfect thick paint and be able to use it in a very thick way.  I have made some new brushes that I really like.  Some are palette knives but the ones I am liking the most are thick paint variants with very stiff bristles.  Here are a couple of examples.  The first one started as watercolor washes and then I added thick paint.

Corel Painter 2019, Watercolor and Thick Paint variants

In the next one, I am using only thick paint and the variants are palette knives.

Corel Painter 2019, Thick Paint Palette Knives

And the last one is also using Thick Paint, but the variants have very stiff bristles.  I like this look a lot.

Corel Painter 2019, Thick Paint variants with stiff bristles

When I feel like the brushes are complete, I’ll post them.  It has been a while since I have given out any variants on my site.  I like how these are looking and hope you do too.

Enjoy,

Skip

Watercolor in Painter 2019! You Can Still Join My Class: A Fresh Start: The New Painter 2019

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Friends,

I just added a watercolor section in my current class, A Fresh Start: The New Painter 2019.  I had forgotten how much I like watercolor in Painter.  I have focused on thick paint of late.  It was a pleasure to play with watercolor again.

Prior to a lesson, I need to practice.  This is my practice image; simple watercolor flowers.

Three Roses, Watercolor in Corel Painter 2019

I captured  the next image on seven videos and they are available in my class.  All videos are downloadable; you can save them on your computer and watch them at your leisure.

Demo painting, watercolor, Corel Painter 2019

So far, the class includes 5 sessions and I have created 125 videos with more to come.  The class is a little different from my other “what’s new” classes.  I have added a section for beginners, which makes it easy for anyone to take the class.  There is a separate section for Intermediate and Advanced users of Painter.  However, I challenge everyone to work the assignments in the beginner section.  I’m finding even advanced students are learning new things in the beginner sections.  The class is open enrollment and you can join at anytime.  You can download the videos and work at your own pace.  I watch the class and comment on work submitted and answer questions you may have.  Join us at the Digital Art Academy…click on this link to register.  A Fresh Start; The New Painter 2019  For our other classes, click this link.  The Digital Art Academy: Our Courses.

Hope to see you in class,

Skip

A Fresh Start; the New Corel Painter 2019 Officially Starts July 8th

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

My new class, A Fresh Start, the New Corel Painter 2019 officially starts in the morning, Sunday, July 8th.  It isn’t too late to register.  And while you are at it, check out the rest of the courses at the Digital Art Academy.  If you cannot register now; no worries; you can register for later and work at your own pace.

I am excited about this course.  I have designed it with two sections, one for new comers and one for intermediate and advanced users.  I think it will be fun for all.  The new Painter is a lovely program.  Here is an example of something I created in 2019.  In it I use Pattern Pens, watercolor, and thick paint.  The pattern pen I made to look similar to gold leaf.  I love playing with texture in Painter!!!

Golden Tundra, Pattern Pen, Watercolor, Thick Paint, Corel Painter 2019

Hope to see you in class.

Enjoy,

Skip

Corel Painter 2019 Is Here; Registration is Open for A Fresh Start, the New Painter 2019

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Friends,

Corel officially announced Painter 2019 today and of course, I have a new class showing you the bells and whistles of the new Painter 2019.  I call the class A Fresh Start, the New Painter 2019.  Register for A Fresh Start, the New Painter 2019.  As usual, I offer the class at the Digital Art Academy and you can find the other course offerings here: DAA Courses.   You can buy or download your free trial, here:  Corel Painter 2019.

This year I decided to do something completely different with the class.  I am offering a “two-for.”  What?

In my dictionary, a “two-for” is two classes in one.  That’s right?  This class will be the usual “What’s New in Painter” class, but I am also adding a beginner’s class, too.  I can hear the intermediate and advanced Painter users lamenting, “But I don’t need a beginner’s class; I’m not getting a two-for class.”  Technically, you are right, sort of.  You are right if you know Painter upstairs and downstairs…every nuisance of the various commands, but do you?  I know I don’t.  I am constantly going back and re-leaning stuff.  Each time I review some function I haven’t used in a while, I think of something new that might be fun to explore with a “Fresh Start.”  Get it…A Fresh Start, the New Painter 2019.

So, how does this new concept work.  Well, there are two separate classes, each with four sessions.  New To Painter, NTP, is for the beginners, and Fresh Start, FS, is for intermediate and advanced users.  If you consider yourself someone new to Painter, then start with Session 1 of NTP…and follow to Session 2, 3, and 4 of the NTP class.  Once finished with Session 4, NTP, then the beginner goes to Session 1, FS, and completes the 4 sessions for FS…thus completing all 8 Sessions.

The intermediate and advanced users start with Session 1, FS.  And, if the student knows everything to know about Painter, then after Session 1, FS, move on to Session 2, FS.  But, and I suspect this but is true for most of us, if you could use a little refresher here and there, then after Session 1, FS, you will go to Session 1, NTP.  I’m not expecting you to take Session 1, NTP, the same way someone new to Painter did…no…I am going to give you a special challenge with the material in the various NTP Sessions.  For instance, let’s say I talk about auto-painting in Session 1, NTP.  Most intermediate and advanced users, might have tried auto-painting a couple of times, but moved on quickly to other parts of Painter.  I am guessing, that we…I’m included…didn’t learn a great deal about the various functions of auto-painting when we first explored it.  In this class, I am going to go into depth with various features and ask you to revisit the feature and find ways to use the feature creatively.  In other words, intermediate and advanced users will complete Session 1, FS, and then move on to Session 1, NTP, as an advanced users, reviewing with skills developed as a long time user of Painter.  I promise, to show you some new tricks that are useful.  Therefore, the intermediate and advanced user will complete all 8 sessions, too.

Check out these two images.  I created them using auto-painting only.  After I made them, I created papers, flow maps and patterns with them.  I made them about 5 years ago, and recently I had to relearn how to do it.  It is necessary for me to revisit sections of Painter from time to time, or I forget how to use them.  I suspect you are the same…I designed the class for us to revisit stuff long ago abandoned.

Auto-painted Texture

Auto-Painted Texture 2

Of course the class covers all the new features of Corel Painter 2019.  I am very excited about the new user interface; I think you will like it, too.  There are 36 new brush variants.  Using these 36 variants, I created a mini-brush making class.  Included are new pattern pen variants.  I enjoy playing with pattern pens.  Check out these two images done with pattern pens.  Can you see evidence of pattern pens in the images?

Fun Play, Pattern Pen Flower

Abstract Red Landscape using Corel Painter Pattern Pens.

There is so much more to tell you, so what are you waiting for.  Register for A Fresh Start, the New Painter 2019.  It is a steal at $55.00 US.

Be sure to check other classes available at the Digital Art Academy…All Courses.  And Corel Painter 2019 is here: Corel Painter 2019.

Enjoy,

Skip

 

 

Having Fun with Watercolor and Thick Paint, and Painter 2018 Class Is Still Open For Registration

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I am having a lot of fun with Painter 2018 these days.  I decided to combine watercolor and thick paint; just wanted to see what it would look like.  The results pleased me; of course I’m never completely happy, but I don’t hate them.  For imagery, I chose to attempt abstract landscapes.  I particularly like sumi-e work.  The initial bone structure of the painting nods to sumi-e.  It doesn’t stay there; the work becomes way too busy to even see a sumi-e influence.  I would like to simplify the images and I think I can as I paint more.  In the beginning I am unsure of what brushes to use…and I try various ones…each variant adds a little more business to the final image.

This first image gives a good balance between watercolor and thick paint.  I really like the watercolor and played down the thick paint.

Corel Painter 2018, watercolor and thick paint

I couldn’t sleep last night.  When that happens, I usually get up and start my day.  I did the following two paintings this morning…starting at 4 AM.  I don’t like to fuss over a painting for hours…I prefer to jump in, paint, and finish in an hour or less.  I certainly do not want to paint over three hours.  I lose interest, or I get obsessed with minute details.  Both of these images played a bit more with thick paint.  I really do like Corel’s new thick paint brushes.  I think they are more natural than any other type of variants in Painter.

Corel Painter 2018, watercolor and thick paint

By the time I started the second painting, sleep deprivation raised its head.  I figured bright reds would wake me up.  I rarely work with bright reds; I enjoyed the activity very much.

Corel Painter 2018, watercolor and thick paint

In the title, I mentioned that Painter 2018, Is It Real Paint, is still open.  You will remember in my last post I said I was going to close the class on December 31st.  Well, I didn’t.  And folks have continued to join the class.  So, I decided to leave the class as an Open Enrollment Class at least for the rest of 2018.  Open enrollment, means you can register at anytime, all the materials are available for download once you register, and you can work at your leisure.  There are no deadlines…just set your own pace and post your paintings for critique if and when you want.

I know Corel ran a special price a week or so ago, so if the special prompted you to upgraded to Painter 2018, then this class is for you.  It covers all the new features of Painter 2018.  If you didn’t get the special, the upgrade price currently is $189.00.  I hope to see you in Class.

Register for Corel Painter 2018, Is It Real Paint.

Enjoy,

Skip