Are you a painter?

[kiwi_2005]

Originally Posted by MH

LOL

There is a freeware program with functionality of Photo Shop.
Gimp
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

And another one Photoscape. Not as powerful as PhotoShop or Gimp but damn good for a freebie
http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php

[Armistead]

I paint the shed every year.....

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Armistead

I paint the shed every year.....

Sou you're a master in the art of fresco, like Michelangelo

[Torplexed]

I downloaded the demo and gave it a spin. It's pretty cool and fast to learn, although I think a lot of past familiarity with Corel Painter probably helped. I wish there was a keyboard shortcut for editing the size of the various brushes though, unless I'm missing it somewhere. It's supposed to be Michael Caine from A Bridge Too Far, but I didn't quite get the likeness.

[Hottentot]

Thanks! I'm always interested in programs like these, even when I can barely draw stick figures myself.

On the topic of such programs, does anyone remember "Recolored"? I remember picking it up originally from here and got hooked right away. It lets you color black&white pictures and photographs, which is very nice for someone who keeps bumbing into them all the time. I must have colored hundreds of pictures with that since then. Here are some samples.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

I wish there was a keyboard shortcut for editing the size of the various brushes though, unless I'm missing it somewhere.

It is there in the Studio version. Full key command menu with key commands for all and every functions and tools. You can reset them as you like. Brush width can be set both by movement of the cursopr, and numerical input.

Yes, I got the Studio version, although maybe I will never be able fully use it. But fasci8nation took control over my cold blooded reason. I have started with watercolkours today - like I alreadcxy have tried over 20 years ago.

And I love it. It's true enjoyment to work with this program. It goes so easy off the hand, the handling is so very very intuitive. Elegant and ergonomic.

I am even updating my old Wacom board.

It's supposed to be Michael Caine from A Bridge Too Far, but I didn't quite get the likeness.

I recognised him immediately. He was my favourite character in that movie.

But before I am able to form such images with faces, people and objects, it will take much time. From doing sketches every once in a while, I know my talent lies more in nature's sights and landscapes in general - it's all less object-focussed.

Guess it would not hurt me to learn some basics about sketching body proportions.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Skybird

It is there in the Studio version. Full key command menu with key commands for all and every functions and tools. You can reset them as you like. Brush width can be set both by movement of the cursopr, and numerical input.

Ahh. I forgot my demo probably doesn't have all the options enabled. Yes, it's a pretty good program considering. I was experimenting drawing Conan with the pen and ink tools today and it does probably the best I've ever seen for digital media. It doesn't exactly make you Frank Frazzeta caliber, but not bad. I imagine if you had a Cintiq or tablet PC where you are actually looking at what your pen is doing it would be even better.

[Oberon]

I shall have to throw this across to the other half, see what she makes of it. She's better at the computer art than I am, I'm still rather a pencil and paper kinda chap.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Ahh. I forgot my demo probably doesn't have all the options enabled. Yes, it's a pretty good program considering. I was experimenting drawing Conan with the pen and ink tools today and it does probably the best I've ever seen for digital media. It doesn't exactly make you Frank Frazzeta caliber, but not bad. I imagine if you had a Cintiq or tablet PC where you are actually looking at what your pen is doing it would be even better.

What got me is the way they have simulated oil paint and watercolours. I know such things from early PSP9, Corel Painter, Adobe, but nowhere the interaction between canvas, brush and wet colour looked so convincing.

If you check their fourm, there is a long sub forum with works presented by their creators, gallery. Some of the really good stuff there fools you into believing it is real, really. But their creators obviously are well-skilled and technically experienced real painters indeed.

One of the videos I set up shows how they work on a tablet PC with touchscreen, like you mentioned. This kind of program, is a prime argument for considering them.

Your demo is limited in functions, but be aware there are also two demos, one for ArtRage 2.5 Starter, and one for Studio Pro. Try the latter, if you have picked the 2.5 Starter, the trial time is 30 days.

The only feature that I miss so far from PSP9 is the separate colour palette where you not just pick colours like here, but can actually mix them with your brush and separated from the canvas, mixing them from those you put on the it, like real painters would do, too. After some time the colour palette there started to look as chaotic and mixed like a real one! But picking the colour that you want is easy and fast here, too.

[Weiss Pinguin]

Originally Posted by Armistead

I paint the shed every year.....

We've recently started repainting our house... Too bad I can't use this to do it