Tag Archives: Corel Painter Custom Palettes

Corel Painter 2016, Watercolor, Wacom On-Screen Controls

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Friends,

After my last post about using the Wacom On-screen Controls with multiple applications, I thought it might be nice to show you how I paint using Wacom’s On-screen controls.  When I demonstrate, I have tons of panels open because it is easier for the viewer, but it does clutter the screen.  I have heard some complaints about Corel Painter’s user interface being cluttered, and I have to admit it can be, but Painter is also highly customizable.  Over time, I have customized Painter a great deal and I love it.  The following three videos will give you an idea of how I paint when not demonstrating.  There is a surprise in the third video.

I paint the following image in the videos.  I call these types paintings inky landscapes.  I love working with custom watercolor variants and inky black color.  At the end of the blog I have a couple of gifts for you.  I hope you like them.

Corel Painter 2016, Custom watercolor variants

Corel Painter 2016, Custom watercolor variants

In the first video, I show how I like to create a paper texture at the top of the layer stack.  I do this to give me the illusion that I am painting on watercolor paper.  To make it easier for me, I created a script to do the task.  A script is the same thing as an action in Photoshop.  Basically, it is a series of recorded commands that can be played back.  I keep the user interface pretty clean.  OK, I better shut up before I give away the ending.  I hope you enjoy the first video.

At the end of the first video, I finished one watercolor layer.  In the second video, I add two more watercolor layers.  Papers are key to my techniques, which is obvious in the first two videos.  With real watercolors, you can adjust the variant to work with flow maps or paper textures.  I find I get subtle textures with flow maps and more aggressive textures with papers.  I love the surprises that happen.

The last video is the longest and I do the least.  I add a few lines here and there to help solidify the landscape.  I am not interested in making an image that screams landscape.  I like to leave it open for the viewer to interpret.  Oh yes, I did mention there was a surprise in the last video.  Prior to making the video, I touched base with Winifred Whitfield and asked her if she would like to sit in on the video.  She said yes.  Winifred gave me some sound advice and helpful tips.

That’s about it.  I hope you enjoy watching the watercolor painting, the use of scripts, and the Wacom on-screen controls.  Oh yes, I promised gifts.  Unfortunately, they are only for Corel Painter 2016 users.  Please do not try to load them in any other version of Painter.

Click on this link to download a zip file containing the following three files.  Inky Landscape Tools

Unzip the file and install per the following directions.

Inky Landscape.BOX, is the custom palette that I used for the painting.  To install, go to Window > Custom Palettes > Organize > and click import and navigate to where you saved the file.

Show Paper.txt is the script I used to place the currently selected paper on the canvas layer.  Be sure you are on the canvas layer when you activate it.  To install, go to Window > Scripts > and click the option button on the top right corner of the Scripts window and select Import Script from the drop down menu.

Paper Overlay.txt is the script I used to place a paper layer at the top of the layer stack.  Use the import directions I give above.

Enjoy,

Skip

 

Corel Painter Videos on My You Tube Channel

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

Did you know that I have a You Tube Channel, Skip Allen?  I do.  I do a fair amount videos on the channel that do not get to the blog.  My last blog post was December 31, 2013.  Since then I have posted six videos on You Tube.  Usually they are short videos about a specific subject, a quick tip.  Frequently, they are in response to a question I have seen on a forum.

If you like my blog, I think you will like my You Tube Channel.  Here are the six videos posted on You Tube since December 31.  Review them and if you like them, do subscribe to my blog.

1.  This first video talks about brush density in Watercolor Variants.  I was attempting to answer Painter Factory question.

2.  The second video continues talking about brush density, but this time in Digital Watercolor variants.

3.  The next video, as the first two, is in response to a question at Painter Factory.  It was short and I didn’t add the question to the video, so I restricted it to viewers of the thread at Painter Factory.  Later, I decided to open it to the public.  Hope you enjoy it.

4.  I had fun with this one.  To answer a question, I usually have to do some research and test various functions in Painter.  In other words, to answer the question requires that I learn new stuff in Painter.  It is a win win situation.  In the video I learn how to make a grainy eraser using a layer mask.

5.  The fifth one was another learning experience for me.  I seldom auto-paint, and I don’t remember ever trying to auto-paint with watercolors in Painter.  But that is where the question led me.

6.  The most recent video posted I have wanted to do for some time.  I think it is the most frequently asked question from Painter users.  Why doesn’t my brush paint on a layer?  Sound familiar?  I’m sure you have seen this question pop up multiple times.  I hope folks will be able to use this video to answer the question about brushes and layers.

OK, there you have it.  The six videos posted on my You Tube Channel since my last blog post.  If you like them, do subscribe to the You Tube Channel of Skip Allen.

Enjoy,

skip