Tag Archives: Digital Art Academy

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.

Registration is Open for Corel Painter Classes at Digital Art Academy

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everybody,

Registration is open for the first session of 2012 at Digital Art Academy (DAA).  The first session begins on January 28 and ends on Feb 24.  DAA focuses on Corel Painter, specifically Painter 12, although we still have a few self-study courses for Painter 11 active. 

Start your New Year off right and join us and explore the wonderful world of Corel Painter. You will find out all you need to know about each class by visiting DAA, but I will give you an idea of the offerings in the first session.

Core Courses

An Image Created in Painter 12 by Elaina Moore-Kelly

If you are brand new to Painter 12 or are an experienced user that would like a refresher course, then Elaina Moore-Kelly has the classes for you.  Elaina teaches Introduction to Painter 12 – Part 1 and Introduction to Painter 12 – Part 2.  Elaina’s class is very detailed and covers all the important parts of Corel Painter 12.  Elaina uses PDFs for her lessons with a video or two mixed in.  I have worked with Elaina beta testing Corel Painter 11 and 12, but she started beta testing Corel Painter with version 7, I believe.  Elaina knows Painter 12 as well as the developers I will venture to say.  If you want detailed knowledge of Painter 12, take these classes.

Image from Week 4 Painter 12 A New Beginning

If you have a good working knowledge of Painter 11 or X and you want to know what is new in Painter 12, then my Painter 12 A New Beginning is the course for you.  I designed this course for a current Corel Painter user who is new to Painter 12.  There is a lot of new stuff in Painter 12; this course covers it all.  Discover all the mysteries of Corel Painter 12 in four short weeks.

So, you haven’t upgraded to Corel Painter 12 and want to discover all about Corel Painter 11.  Or maybe you are an experienced user of Corel Painter 11 and want a refresher course.  My three Corel Painter 11 Courses, Introduction to Corel Painter 11 the Basics, Introduction to Corel Painter 11 Beyond the Basics, and Corel Painter 11 Selections, Channels and Masks are available for self-study.

Painter Professional Courses

There is a new instructor at DAA.  If you are a fan of digital watercolor in Corel Painter, then I bet Joan Hamilton is no stranger to you.    I am so excited that Joan is joining us at DAA.  If you haven’t looked at her blog, then please do so.  You will love it.

Image from Joan's Watercolor Class

Joan’s first class is Learning to Paint Elements in the Watercolor Landscape with Corel Painter 12.  Joan works with both watercolor type variants in Painter 12, but steers clear of the new Real Watercolor variants because they are so memory hungry.  Trust me, you will not miss working with those variants; Joan has fine tuned her craft and shares her secretes with you.  If you love watercolor, this is a must take course.

Landscape developed from Splashes, The Basics of Watercolor in Painter 12

My watercolor class, The Basics of Watercolor in Corel Painter 12, offered again this session, focuses on Painter 12 and the new watercolor variants, Real Watercolor.  This class teaches to splash the paint around and develop landscapes from happy accidents.  Through practice, the students brush handling abilities strengthen.  As usual, I will have a few optional live classes as well, which are a lot of fun.  I plan to have Part 2 available for session 2.

Image made with variants created in The Basics of Brush Making in Painter 12

Available again this session is my Basics of Brush Making in Painter 12. This class takes the mystique out of brush making in Painter 12.  It is a basic course and doesn’t cover everything, but the student develops a firm foundation for brush making. There are optional live sessions planned as well; I know you will enjoy those.  I plan to have Part 2 available for session 2.  I wanted to have it ready for this session, but my new computer arrives this week and will occupy most of my free time. 

 

Art Rage

All Undone, Image from ArtRage Pro 3.5

Corel Master Painter Karen Bonaker’s class, ArtRage-Brush Course-Watercolor and What’s New in ArtRage 3.5, updated to include the new 3.5 version strikes my fancy.  If you love ArtRage and watercolors, don’t miss this course.  Karen is one of the best teachers around and is so very creative in all that she does.  The class includes weekly live sessions as well as videos.  How to paint, how to make watercolor brushes, and what’s new in ArtRage 3.5 are covered in the course. You need ArtRage Studio Pro version 3.5 to take this class. 

I think that about covers it.  Do check out the details of course offerings at DAA.

Hope to see you in a class,

Skip

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

Registration for Holiday Open Studio at DAA is Open; Join Us for a Fun Filled Month Working with Corel Painter

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

Corel Painter Master, Karen Bonaker, announced the opening of registration for Holiday Open Studio at Digital Art Academy (DAA) at Karen Bonaker Art, her wonderful blog. Do go by and take a look at the information  and syllabus for this 4 week course.  Holiday Open Studio is for anyone, beginner and expert a like.  Each week there is a new leader with a special topic.  Class begins 11/19/2011 and ends 12/16/2011.

The first week, Karen shows how to create and paint a perfectly balanced Holiday flower arrangement.  Take a look at this image, which can also be seen at her blog.

Lovely painting by Corel Master Painter, Karen Bonaker. Learn how she does it in Holiday Open Studio 2011

I have the second week.  Learning to leave white space in a watercolor is difficult.  I am focusing on snow scene landscapes with lots of white space.

Simple snow scene landscape done in Painter 12

Corel Painter Educator and Expert, Elaina Moore-Kelly, has the third week.  Elaina wows everyone with her beautiful Holiday Greeting Cards.  Discover her secrets for Corel Painter as she demos greeting cards.

Examples of Elaina Moore-Kelly Greeting Cards; Done in Painter 12

Karen returns for the fourth week.  Holiday Wreaths and winter scenes are the topic.  She has prepared a custom set of brushes for this workshop, which each student will receive.  I think Karen’s work is stunning.  What do you think?

Corel Master Painter, Karen Bonaker's Holiday Wreath.

That’s about it.  Do go by and check out Karen Bonaker Art and view her video from Holiday Open Studio 2010; you will be glad that you did.

Enjoy,

Skip

Corel Painter 12 Classes Start Saturday

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I’m always nervous prior to class starting.  I’m extra distraught this time because I have two new classes starting; The Basics of Watercolor in Painter 12 and The Basics of Brush Making in Painter 12.  My other class, Painter 12 a New Beginning, will also start on Saturday;  this class is for folks who have a good working knowledge of Painter 11 or earlier and are upgrading to Painter 12.  If you are new to Corel Painter and now have Painter 12, Elaina Moore-Kelly teaches the perfect class for you, Introduction to Painter 12 – Part 1.  Check out the Digital Art Academy and look at all the class offerings.

I was preparing class material and doing a watercolor made up primarily of washes.  In the end, I cropped several paintings from the original.  After class gets underway, I’ll post more videos about working with watercolor in Painter 12.

Landscape

Landscape with washes in Painter 12

Got to run and get back to work getting the classes ready.  Join Elaina or me for some fun in Painter 12.

Enjoy,

Skip

Free Corel Painter 12 Brushes; Cool Spring

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I finally got the Corel Painter 12 watercolor brushes finished and named them Cool Spring.  I hope you like them.  I would suggest installing these variants in their own library; like all watercolor brushes they are a bit slow, but putting them in their own library helps.  Don’t forget that my Basic Watercolor with Painter 12 and Basic Brush Making with Painter 12 start on Oct 22.  Come join the classes; I promise we will play a lot. 🙂

I produced two videos showing a bit about the variants.  In Part 1, I did the following image using 2 very wet brushes and about 8 stokes.  It is great fun to watch the paint bleed into the paper and create beautiful blends.

From Part 1 Cool Spring

Beginning image created with 2 very wet variants and about 8 stokes. See Part 1 Cool Spring video.

Let me know what you think of the brushes.  I’m always open to suggestions.

Cool Sping Download

Enjoy,

Skip

Bristly Dabs for Painter 12 and Backward Compatible to Painter IX.

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I have just made a download page for my newest brush set, called Bristly Dabs.  Thanks to David Gell, Master of all things Painter, the sets are backward compatible to Painter IX. Thank you David!!!

Download one or both sets.  One called PIX_Bristly_Dabs.zip does not use rotation expression.  The other called PIX_Bristly_Dabs_Rtn.zip uses rotation expression in three variants.  If you have an art pen for any version of a Wacom tablet, download the file with Rtn in the name.  I think you will enjoy using barrel rotation with these brushes.  The brushes contain impasto and non-impasto brushes.

There are some very specific caveats when using these brushes especially in Painter 12.  I prepared 3 videos illustrating how to use the brushes.  The first one describes the techniques used with Bristly Dabs.  The other two give more details about using the variants and information about impasto in general.  It is imperative that you watch the videos.  All three are helpful, but the last two are the most helpful.  If you do not watch any videos, do at least read the points listed on the download page.

Here is the sample painting done with Bristly Dabs in Painter 12:

Vase and Windwo

Using Bristly Dabs in Painter 12

The next video takes you through the process of the painting.

These two videos are specifically about the brushes.  Part 1 talks about the Well Panel with Resaturation, Bleed, Dry Out and Brush Loading

Part 2 illustrates the Impasto Panel. 

I hope you enjoy the videos and the brushes. 

Don’t forget, I have these classes starting October 22 at the Digital Art Academy.  Click the class name for more information.

Basics of Watercolor in Painter 12

Basics of Brush Making in Painter 12

Painter 12, a New Beginning  (this is for experienced painter users who are upgrading to Painter 12)

You may want to take Elaina Moore-Kelly’s class, Introduction to Painter 12 – Part 1, designed for someone just starting out with Painter 12.  It is a fabulous course. Also, Elaina teaches Creative Collage: Scrap Techniques With Painter, which uses Painter 11.

Do visit the Digital Art Academy and look at the other classes available.

I guess that is it for this post.  I can go let Kevin out of the bathroom.

“I’m behind you.”

“Gasp! Kevin you scared me half to death!”

“Yeah, well you tried to lock me in the bathroom.  I chewed my way out.”

“What, you did what?” I dashed to the bathroom. 

OMGosh, it is awful, there is a man-sized hole in the door.  Shutting the door offers no privacy now.  I hear a cackling laugh coming from the computer room.  I got to run.  I think I am going to need a new bathroom door. 

Y’all let me know how you like the brushes,

skip

Offset Sampling – Two videos from my Painter 12 Class.

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

The first session of my class, Painter 12, A New Beginning, just ended and registration for the second session is now open at the Digital Art Academy. Click on Registration Page to register.  The second session begins August 27, 2011 and ends September 23, 2011.  I hope to see a you there.

As a teaser, I am adding two more videos from the class.  The subject is Offset Sampling, which has been added to the Clone Source Panel.  It offers some unique ways to clone, and also can mimic the way you cloned in Painter 11.  I created most of this image during the videos, but added later.

Table and Lamp
Created in Painter 12 using Offset Sampling
 
 “It’s not nice to tease,” Kevin comments.
 
“Viruses are not nice, either.  Remember, I found out what you really are!”
 
“A very good virus; not a bad virus.  I’m like Glenda from the Wizard of Oz.  She is a good witch; not a bad witch.  I told you that already,” he corrected.
 
“Whatever, I’m busy.  Go away and don’t bother me.”
 
Sorry for the interruption.  In the following two videos, you will see how to clone with offset sampling.  The above image wasn’t completed during the videos.  I didn’t do much more, but later I will explain the few things that I did to arrive at the final piece.  These videos come from week four of the class, so you may think I am going over stuff pretty quickly, but remember we have already covered a great deal up to this point and I can up the pace for the students.   I hope you enjoy the videos.  BTW, I had a little static in a couple of places.  I’m not sure where it is coming from; I probably bumped the microphone or something similar.
 
 
 
After finishing the videos, I decided to do a little more to the image, which consisted of duplicating the top layer 3 times and playing with the composite method of each layer.  The other layers that were made, also had composite method changes and I tweaked the opacity slider a bit more.  And that was it.  I do enjoy working with offset sampling; I think it is a power but underused tool for Painter.
 
Well, that’s it for this post.  If you have questions of comments, please do make them.
 
Enjoy,
Skip

Sample Video from my Corel Painter 12 Class

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hello Everyone,

I have been so busy with my class I haven’t had time to add anything to my blog.  It occurred to me that I could add one or two of the videos I created for the Painter 12 Class.  I guess I could call it a preview or sample from the class.   There are about 30 class videos, so showing one or two will not give away the plot.  There are so many new and enhanced features it takes that many videos to cover everything.

“It takes so many videos to cover everything because you are so verbose, long-winded, effusive, loquacious, rambling…  Have you got the picture, yet?”

“Kevin, my frien…”

“Don’t you my friend me!  Where have you been since the end of May when you last visited?  It gets lonely in here and even though you are not good company, you are the only company I get.  Sure folks drop by to look at your blog or watch a video, but they never say hello to me.  If I could make the first move, then it would be different…but alas, the visitors have to make the first move and they can’t even see me.”

“Oh Kevin, I am so sorry,” I said holding in a small chuckle, but not well enough.

“Now you are laughing at me.  I may tell every little dirty secret I know about you!  I really should,” he shouted.

Wow, Kevin isn’t usually this emotional; yes he throws barbs at me, but this time he seems genuinely hurt.

“Kevin, I really am sorry that you are lonely.  I’ll tell you what I will do.  I’ll paint your portrait using Painter 12.  How about that.  When I get it done, I am sure lots of folks will want to talk with you.  Shoot, you know as much about Painter 12 as I do; they may start asking you questions.”

“You promise to make me look good.”

“You do look good, I just need to capture your winning personality.  But Right now I need to post the video from my class.  And Kevin, you have my cell number.  Why not give me a shout when you are lonely.”

“You never answer your cell!”

“I know; I keep forgetting to carry it around with me,” I admitted.  “I’ll try to do better, but for now, let me finish the job at hand.”

Kevin is a nice enough guy, and I have known him all my life.  Sometimes, though, he can be so clingy.  If anyone wants to strike up a conversation with Kevin, feel free…I’m sure you will be happy that you did.

Following is the video from Week 1 of the class.  We are in the third week and the final and fourth week starts Saturday.

If you enjoy the music by Michael Moore-Kelly, do check out his album, “Piano Without Makeup” at Amazon.com.

Well that’s it for this post.  I hope you enjoy the video and if you are looking for a place to learn the new stuff in Painter 12, consider my class at Digital Art Academy.  Registration starts Saturday.

Enjoy,

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