Tag Archives: Cloning in Corel Painter 12

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!!!

Watercolor Clone in Painter 12 Done Simply

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

Several students and blog followers asked me to do a video tutorial on cloning in Painter 12.  Cloning isn’t a simple subject.  But before I get started, don’t forget that Holiday Open Studio starts Saturday 11/19/2011 at the Digital Art Academy.  This is one of the most fun classes at DAA.  You can use Painter X, 11 or 12.  It is for beginners and experts alike.  Please click on this link and check out Open Holiday Studio.

Cloning has many options and the results do not have to look photographic; the term creative cloning is alive and well, at least it is on this blog. 🙂  My plan is to do a series of cloned paintings, starting with this one of a cardinal that uses a very simple approach to cloning.  How many will be in the series? I don’t know, but at least one more.  Each will be a bit more complicated than the previous.

In this tutorial, I am going to use this photograph I snapped of a cardinal sitting outside a window in my computer room:

Cardinal

In the videos you will see me create this clone of the cardinal.  You will see everything I do in about 50 minutes; I decided not to do any speed painting.

Cardinal

In the first video I create the background with clone color and very wet watercolor variants.

In the second video I begin to clone paint the subject.

As usually happens, I messed up stuff in the third video.  I decided to leave it and show you how I fixed my problems.

The final video completes the image; I hope you like it.

Well, that is it.  What do you think?

“I think it is pitiful.”

“I’m not asking you Kevin.  Of course you think it is pitiful; you are so negative.”

“I’m far from negative.  Don’t forget I am a good virus, and I am optimistic, too, except….  I better not say.  I want to stay positive and upbeat.”

I can tell that he is baiting me.  He wants me to argue, but not this time.  “You are right.  You are so positive and upbeat as all good viruses are.  I am so lucky to have you staying on my computer.”

“Aha!  You lie.  You don’t believe what you said.” he was almost screaming.

“I do believe you are positive and upbeat all the time.  I am glad that you are, too.  I am in the market for a new computer, and when I buy it, I will retire this computer.  How about that.  I’ll plan a retirement party,” I tried not to chuckle.

“You are buying a new computer?  Well, no problem, if you transfer anything from this computer to the new computer I’ll tag along.”

“Awe, I’m sorry.  I have already downloaded what I need for the new computer.  I guess you didn’t notice when I was doing it.”

“I thought you were doing a back up.  Surely you will not leave me alone on this computer.  After all I have done for you; surely you will take me with you.”

Well folks, that’s all I have today.  I hope you enjoy the videos.

Skip

New Video – Cloning in Painter 12

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Friends,

ANNOUNCEMENT: I have a class starting Digital Art Academy called Painter 12, A New Beginning.  To find out more and register, follow this link: Painter 12, A New Beginning

I have just completed another video tutorial about Corel Painter 12.  The more I use the program the more I like it.  This tutorial is about cloning and using Painter 12’s new Clone Source Panel.  I show how the method works, but I don’t actually complete a piece; I wanted to keep the video short.  Also, if you like to auto-paint, you can do it easily.  Once you have set up the Clone Source Panel, just open the Auto-Painting Panel and proceed as you would in Painter 11.  This tutorial will be a two-parter.  There are a number of other things I want to show you using the Cloning Panel instead of using the Clone Source Panel.  Both tools are terrific and fun to do.  Here is the video.

If you love the music, it is by Michael Moore-Kelly. You can get his album, “Piano Without Makeup” from Amazon.com.

Look for another video soon.

Skip