Here is a wonderful site with an amazing amount of information on how to make Vector Brushes and free downloads of Vector Brushes she was kind enough to make and share.

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Congratulations to all these kids!

I painted this using Corel Painter for a School Auction. The tree trunk and flowers were added using the Nozzle brush, then painted.

             “click on Photo to see larger version”

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Amazing and precious video.

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I have been asked how to install brushes into Painter a few times. So for those of you needing help with this here are the steps.

Open the Brush you want to install. There should be two files. One being a jpeg file. Copy both of those files and then go into, Computer - C drive - Program Files - Corel - Brushes - Painter Brushes - right click and paste.

When you open Painter you should see the brushes you installed on the Brush pallettes category!

Hope this helps!

Carrie

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As difficult as it can be for a pose from one cat, I needed a pose from two Cats. To get them together would have been an even tougher task. So I took a variety of photos of each and put them together. Here is what I started with. I took the eyes from one photo and added it to the Calico cat. Then added the Calico cat to the black cat photo, masked areas, flattened image, opened in Painter and painted!

click on images to see larger view

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 click on image to see larger view 

Open your photo or a new document you want to put the bubbles on. “I used a new document and filled it with color”. Make a new layer and select the circular marquee tool, make a circle and fill with a light grey. Deselect. Take the circular marquee tool and make another circle inside the grey circle you just made. Go to Select/Transform selection to make your circular selection almost to the edge of the grey circle.  Then go to edit/cut.

click on image so see larger view

 Select the eraser tool and select a soft edge brush at about 75 % opacity and go over the edge of the grey to give a transparent feel to the outline of your circle. Leaving some areas darker than other areas.

Now click on the brushes tool and select any brush. I like the brushes that look like a sponge. #36, etc. Click on white and paint a few small highlights onto the circle where the light reflection should be hitting it. Then turn your opacity down and very slightly paint some light white in half circle strokes in the circle. I also like to add some very light color too. Colors of the surroundings like the clothes, grass, etc would be good to add in the bubble to show reflections more. Remember you are adding very light amounts. You can even click on the dodge tool to highlight areas too.

click on image to see larger view

Now to make more bubbles, click on the bubble layer and go over to the move tool and click on that. Hold down the Alt key and drag another bubble out to where ever you want. Keep doing that until you get all the bubbles you want. Each bubble will be on it’s own layer so you can click on each layer and resize turn move the bubble to wherever you want!

You can also click on the liquify tool and liquify your bubbles too.

Have fun making your bubbles~and would love to see what you come up with!

click on image to see larger view

Here is a 7 minute video I put together showing the steps above. This was made using Photoshop but I imagine you can do it in any program.

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I was looking thru some photos that I had Photoshopped a few years ago when I was first learning about Digital Camera’s and Photoshop editing. At the time I was pretty happy with myself for the neat effects I was able to achieve. Looking at them now I have to admit is actually pretty embarrassing! Always a learning process.

Here is one I would like to share. This reminded me of how far we have come in the world of “Recording our Memories”. I did this in 2003. There are many other items I could add to the photo from just a few more short years.

Just a reflection on how fast times are changing!  

click on image to see larger

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I just recieved a very interesting email from “Gary Fong” with a wonderful blog Essay on

“How to Recession Proof your Business”.  

I found it very informative with lots of ideas. He also has many great light reflective products for your onboard flash. I bought one a while ago and love it. Check out his site.

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They have gone out of business and many people are left with confusion on how they will be able to get they’re hands on it again. Hopefully Corel will  add it as a plug-in to they’re program someday.

But in the meantime here are a few suggestions.

If you have PS you can immulate it by going into Filter, Noise, and using the Median at about 3-4 and then sharpened. I think it was suggested to make a sketch layer too and then you can add it using one of the blend modes or masking back in the median layer.

or…….

Jim Clatfelter has made this free action that simulates the Buzz Simplifier. It looks really good. Thank you Jim!    http://8bf.net/abuzz.zip

 Good Luck!

Carrie

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I have stumbled across some new ideas on my latest Portraits which gives a more of an “Old Masters Feel”.

                       “click on thumbnail to see larger view”

Some of the ideas came from the site listed below with many new brushes and Textures they have. I really am having fun with the texture brushes especially the Crack brush.

What I do is take my Painted portrait into Photoshop and make a new layer and begin to paint some greens, blues, reds, here and there with any unusual type of a brush. There are some great ones in the “Special Effects” category of the brushes. I like to use #48. Then I will play with the different modes like multiply, screen, overlay, soft light, hard light, etc. until I like what I see. I usually turn the opacity down and make another layer and do the same thing. When I feel like I am finished I flatten the layers and add a texture or two.

Hope this gives you more ideas to add drama and lighting to your paintings!

Here is the site that has the “Texture Brushes”  with a “You Tube” video below where Justin Gerard shows how he uses his brushes in a very entertaining way.

More great brushes are here at “Departika” and some lessons on how to make your own Vector brushes in Photoshop.

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