• Terry Harris
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  • Added 04 Apr 2008
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Abbey Sneaking Up

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

Anonymous Guest

Blue Doll 07 Apr 2008

soooo... lovely... looks very realistic !!! :o)

Artist Reply: Thanks Blue Doll! It took me a while to learn to do fur with digital brushes. Hair for that matter. I still am experimenting to try to get better results. I use a mixture of textured brushes to get the results I have. Sometimes I have to paint it more than once to get the right blend of brushes. Digital painting still has some developing to do, you have to watch dragging the brush so you don't get wavy smears.

Stanley Layman 06 Apr 2008

Great job!

Artist Reply: Thank you Stanley! Beauttiful dogs are so captivating. I will be adopting a couple more dogs next month once we move and get a good fence around some of the acreage to keep them from wondering off. I've a couple now, but with all the space we have, a couple more dog rescues would be nice. I'll have a few cats as well, so will be doing more pet portraits to post.

jamie winter 05 Apr 2008

most wonderful capture Terry!!!!!!!!

Artist Reply: Thank you Jamie! Sometimes I can't decide wiether to paint a subject or use the refence photos I took. I'll have some good photos of Abbey posted soon and a couple more paintings of her to come. Glad you liked this painting.

Emily Reed 04 Apr 2008

A SWEETHEART, TERRY! LOVE TO SEE YOU BACK ON AW!

Artist Reply: Thanks Emily! It's been a busy year. I'll be glad when we finally get moved into our new home the end of the month & my garden started. I hate living in a rental home because I can't unpack everything or make personal touches. Glad house hunting is over. I will have so much to be inspired by once I get settled in and time to post up all the works I've finished.