Painter 2017 – New Release

Interactive Gradient Tool/Express Paint

Painter 2017 is pretty great! Honestly!  I have to admit that the introduction of  Audio Technology was pretty wild when introduced in Painter 2016, and I used it not one time this past year!  I have not falling in love with Particle Brushes introduced in 2015 but they have formed the bases of some pretty great, more advanced technology – Dynamic Speckles Brushes, for example, so I cannot complain.

This new release, however, is just plain wonderful  and introduces so many new tools. It will change the way you work and support your many creative endeavors. You’re definitely going to want to explore it.  I would also suggest a “tour guide”.  Painter 2017 offers some amazing new features but they are complex on the front end. I will demonstrate some of these features over the next weeks and months. The new Palette Drawers are “to die for”!!

Also, there is a course being taught by Skip Allen at Digital Art Academy which will teach  Painter 2017 New Features “in order”.  I suggest that you take a look.  Our emphasis will be different, so there is no overlap.  The larger your pile of information, the better. Register NOW!

Did  I start at the beginning? Of course not. I start here by introducing you to my favorite – NEW FEATURE – at lease one of them. I hope you enjoy this 3 part tutorial series where I demonstrate the new Interactive Gradient Tool  used in combination with Express Paint.

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Digital Pastel Painting from Observation

I’ve been enjoying painting digitally emulating traditional pastels. You’ve seem some of this work before. This time the subject matter is pretty wide. I painted baby birds, then fruits and veggies placed on a table next to my computer before transitioning to portraits using photo visual reference, even self portrait. Its been fun for sure. Below are some of the images I created.


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Winifred Whitfield Becomes Docent at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island

In Washington State, it is mandated that environmental education be provided to 4th and 5th graders – but it is not funded. When Paul Brainerd (who coined the term “desktop publishing”) sold Pagemaker to Adobe in 1996, he and his wife Debbie Brainerd used part of the proceeds to purchase a 255 acres undeveloped parcel, which with forethought in mission and detail, has become IslandWood, which opened on Bainbridge Island, WA in 2002. He also funded an endowment for scholarships and maintenance of grounds and facilities which maintains it’s pristine environment. (Wise man). The ongoing program is funded through private fundraising activities.

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I’m a proud new docent at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island WA. Along with 9 others (identified at page bottom), our eight 3 hour training sessions end March 23rd. IslandWood is an acclaimed environmental learning center which provides environmental education to approximately 4500 4th and 5th grade students each year, on its Bainbridge Island campus.

IslandWood 1Most of these students come from Kitsap County and the Seattle/King County area. IslandWood’s Student Overnight Program is a fun and learning filled 3 nights and 4 days of immersed experience designed to facilitate a consciousness and stewardship facilitating a greater interconnection to the natural and urban environment. Using the experience of observation, caring  and awareness of our interdependence, is a key theme?  Children are supported in their critical thinking to make this connection, no matter what environment they return home to.

The campus is private but public tours can be scheduled. I will be involved in conducting public and event tours. What a magnificent natural environment and amazing 70,000 sf of environmentally conscious facilities including a 16,000 s.f Welcome Center, dining hall, classrooms, dorm/overnight facilities and other structures.

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I am very please to be able to play a small roll in support of this program. The forest, bogs, pond, bird sanctuary, suspension bridge and canopy tower featured in these photos are but some of the features of the campus. The video link below provides additional info about the program.”

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Taking a lunch break – nutritious meals and snacks are served each day. Allergies and cultural food requirements are carefully managed.

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A backpack filled with outdoor essentials is provided by REI for the 3 night stay.

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There is a warm and inviting dining hall where all eat together family style. The food is delicious – I might add.

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There is abundant opportunity to explore and observe the natural forest environment – from the forest floor to the forest canopy. In addition to the forest, there is a bog, a swamp, a lake and streams – so many distinct eco systems and layers to the forest to learn about. 



IW Wetland

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treehouse tallThis treehouse serves as an observation deck, looking out over a wetland.It is built around a tree which is 190 feet tall. You can see in the subsequent photo that it can still move and sway, even water comes through the treehouse so as not to create a dry area beneath it.

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The above photo  shows part of the interior. You can see that it is a large tree.`

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A pond teaming with water life.

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A 190 foot suspension bridge places you well above the forest floor. Click Here to see a  short video on the building of this bridge.

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Ascend the Canopy Tower to observe  the forest canopy – the equivalent of about an 11 story building – so many teaching moments here. Click here to learn more about the building of the Canopy Tower

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At the tower look out, Mary Meiser, (left), Volunteer Coordinator, shares information with docents about the forest canopy.

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Observe –  identify.

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Students in the this weeks School Overnight Program await their turn to ascend the  Canopy tower. They are very excited to do so.

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“A circle around a fire”  – but a bit more developed!!  Still, it’s a place where students meet each night  with their instructors and chaperones to sing, hear stories and reflect upon the day. Adults also use this area during scheduled events.

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Other Docents in the 2016 class, in no particular order, include: Noelle Hart, Lana Fuller. Andy Hicks, Janie, Joyce Popendorf, Bret Black, Frank Gremse, William Popendorf. Mary Meiser is the Volunteer Coordinator.

Click here to Visit the IslandWood website

Click here to watch 23 minute presentation to parents and children – what to expect at SOP – Student Overnight Program

 

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Watercolor Spring Particles – Painter 2016

Spring RWC 2 C0lThese painting examples were created with Painter 2016 Watercolor Spring Particle brush dab type using Real Wet Buildup  Sub Category. Pause diffusion was enabled and never released. If you release it, you get a different look. The link for the brush is below.

Click Here for the Brush Used

With Color Expression expressed as “pressure”, it is very important to set rather high color jitter and smoothing levels. This is what gives you the color variation and texture. Without this the colors blend and might appear very dull.

The brush is not so easy to control, but you can gain some mastery with familiarization and with practice. Give yourself extra canvas space to crop just the best part of your painting. Experiment with the Watercolor controls, the Particles Common Controls and the Spring Particles Controls to vary the brush looks. If you get a brush look you like, save the variant immediately. If you don’t save it then you will likely never see that look again – ever!!

These brushes are very sensitive to brush calibration and every other brush control slider which affects them, with each nuance movement giving you something different.

 

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RENOIR Inspired Part 2 is Now Available at Digital Art Academy

Renoir Part 2 became available July 10th at Digital Art Academy.  You may register for this course, download the instructional resources and work at your pace. Below is the course content preview.

During Renoir Part 2, we will add a different style of brush work.  Our new brush category is “Renoir Bristles”, brushes which create a more transparent,  sometimes scratchy, expressive brush stroke. If you choose, you might add brush work from your Impressionist dabs category as well. There are tutorials which support you in more complex paintings using the Ultimate Impressionist Brush Category. It’s Summer and this means having fun and as always painting your way! 

Renoir Part 1 is also available.

 

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10 Steps to Painting Children with Painters “Real Watercolor” Preview

It is not difficult in fact one of my themes throughout is “to keep it simple”. I will show you everything you need to know to create a fun and “representative”  watercolor painting. I know you want to create some “fresh and modern” paintings of your children or grand children.  If you can clone using opaque media, you can clone using “real watercolor”.  You only need to know what brushes to choose. I have selected the brushes for you to use and guide you in their use every step of the way. I have put them in a brush category for you to use with this tutorial – I included images to paint also.  Adjustments will be minimal – just as with another brushes.   Trust me on this you will love this.

Does this process apply to children only? Of course not, In fact you can take your painting to greater levels of complexity and sophistication just as soon as you are ready. But the simple ones are beautiful also and stand on their on.  I have included everything you need in the extra content which comes with this tutorial.
The only thing missing is your expressive hand and your willingness to try. I hope you will.
Thanks for looking.
The full tutorial can be found in my store – Just Click Here, scroll down to this tutorial and click below it to read a more detailed description and to view pricing.  Thanks, W

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Painting with Pattern Pens Part 2

Please refer to previous post for Painting with Patterns – Video 1

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Making and Painting with Patterns

Hello Everyone,

You probably know by now that I love patterns and love to sketch, enhance,  or paint and fill with patterns.  This is a quick video to show you the process.  I hope you enjoy. Winifred

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