This is another painting of Abbey, my nephews beautiful intelligent dog. She was sneaking up to take a pine cone. She usually goes and finds her own stick, breaks it done to a size she wants and brings it to you to throw. This time, with no sticks around she brought me pine cones. I prefer sticks as the pine cones poke and have sap. She is happy with a stick, ball, or make do pine cone. How can you refuse such a dog? I can't. I painted her using a Wacom tablet, it's an electronic drawing tablet that hooks up to your computer. It uses a wireless stylus pen instead of a mouse. I Used Corel's Painter X art software to paint it. This is a digital painting, not a photo manipulation or from an auto convert to artistic effect. I prefer to do the work myself, and get much better results. I might clone a color to get it right, but usually will use more intense colors in my work than the original has. I use photos for reference and usually a group of them to get the composition I have in mind just right. If you want more information on a Wacom go to www.Intuos.com, for info on Corel's Painter X go to www.Corel.com. Often the art software is bundled with the Wacom so look for that if you are planning to buy a tablet. There are a variety of new kinds of tablets now, some don't need a computer to hook up to, but the prices will shoot up. I've two, a smaller one that I travel with my laptop, and the 6x8 inch one I bought several years ago. As I work looking at the computer screen, the size doesn't matter, but most artist use the 6x8 at least. (Smaller & you scroll around the screen a lot.) I still have to select the brush size and shape, the medium to mimic, in my case I use mix mediums. I pick the colors, the pressure, the flow, the opacity, the grain, the bleed, jitter, re-saturation, layers, blending and more. Some prefer to use Adobe Photo shop, but I started with Painter & love the ease & support. It also seems to be more advanced in art techniques & uses in my opinion. Advantages using a tablet are endless works and changes possible of a work. You can save often so you can experiment with different results, undo, redo, rework. I can use it when I am ready, no set up, no clean up. It is easier on my hands, neck & back- which means I am able to work often with art again since a car accident a few years ago that left me somewhat disabled. The pen is set to my preferences so I can hold it with less grip. Since I look up at the screen as I work and not down it lessens stress on my neck and back. I also don't have to worry about spills and dropping my brush. Great if you have allergies as I do. I've had kids use it and they learn fast. My toddler granddaughter can create and have fun with it even. Practice & experiment & you will get the hang of it. I am one to do instead of read the instructions and manage quite well. I also figure out things that aren't in the books. There are forums, tutorials, DVD's & books on how to use the Wacom & software. The Painter program advances and new versions come out frequently, you can pay for an update at a discount, and sometimes they may be free. Many programs work with a Wacom, I use it for shortcut keys when typing- cut, scroll, paste, copy, exit, open, new, or a few of the commands you can use. I confess to using it to play computer games as you can tap the pen stylus or drag it over the tablet. That means I don't have to mouse click and make my carpal tunnel or arthritis flare up. It's faster than mouse clicking anyways. More paintings of Abbey & photos will follow at a later time. I do take portrait commissions of pets & people at reasonable rates starting at $100. It depends on size, material to be printed on, and subject. Contact me for details and availability.
4 Comments
Blue Doll 07 Apr 2008
soooo... lovely... looks very realistic !!! :o)Stanley Layman 06 Apr 2008
Great job!jamie winter 05 Apr 2008
most wonderful capture Terry!!!!!!!!Emily Reed 04 Apr 2008
A SWEETHEART, TERRY! LOVE TO SEE YOU BACK ON AW!