Tuesday 8 March 2011

Digital Camera Class 8: Term 2

Tonight’s class was a presentation all about the use of graphics tablets and the wonderful piece of software that is Corel Painter.

What is a graphics tablet? A graphics tablet (or digitising tablet, graphics pad, drawing tablet) is a computer input device that allows one to hand-draw images and graphics, similar to the way one draws images with a pencil and paper. The one that I have is made by the company Wacom, a company who has the reputation of being the best company for graphics tablets. The particular model I have is the Wacom Bamboo, as shown below:

Inspired by natural human abilities to create, their patented pen and touch input technology allows freedom of expression, inspired creativity, and drastic improvements in productivity, control and comfort. From product development and graphic design to the media and entertainment sectors, Wacom facilitates the work of individuals and workgroups with truly natural ways to work with digital content.

Wacom believe that technology should be easy to use and simple to understand. With products that rely on human intuition and natural movement, they claim to strive to bring people and technology closer together. Their pen and touch input technology has helped professionals around the world create extraordinary characters, digital art, films, special effects, fashions, and industrial designs. They say that some of the most celebrated companies in these industries rely on their products.  They also claim “No other technology company strives to design tools that empower creative professionals the way Wacom does. Not even close.”

After having a good look at what the graphics tablet is, we looked at Corel Painter.

Corel Painter is the world's most powerful Natural-Media software.  “ By adding Painter to your workflow, you gain a full art studio that gives you the tools to create unprecedented artwork.Digital art tools let you experiment with color theory, composition and brush strokes, without the toxins, mess and expenses associated with traditional art. Support for the entire Wacom® product line, including industry-leading Cintiq® interactive pen displays and Intuos® drawing tablets, gives you the most responsive digital painting experience so your hand and brush work fluidly as one. Customizable paper textures give your art added artistic undertones, plus a level of texture and detail that no other digital painting or photo-painting tools can produce. Painter is changing what's possible in art. Now it's your turn.”

Click here for details on the very latest version of Painter, with is Version XI

In its earlier forms, Painter would be sold in an actual paint can – quite a novelty, these days, now that ownership of the product is with the Canadian company Corel, they tend to do a certain amount of limited editions in cans, as a kind of nod to the past. Below is the limited edition can for version 10.

image

You can create your own pictures from scratch or turn your own photographs into works of art using clever cloning brushes. Here are some examples of pictures I have created myself.

 

 

Clone of blue-sky-wallpaper

Beach at Sunset

Morning Winter Sun

Check out more examples in my own “Corel Painter” gallery by clicking this link

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