Hi Can I get some feedback on what computer programs you wonderful artist use for your graphic and digital art? I think its time I embrace technology and teach myself how to paint my pictures on the computer instead of by hand I have tried Coral and I googled for other programs, but found it was to confusing, So I am going right to the source and ask here.. and do these programs have instruction ? also are there good insttructions or online training especially in shading? and hopefully not to expensive?

You tried Corel Draw I take it? I'm not up on graphc arts programs - but I do know a lot of the people here use Adobe Photoshop.

You could try Paint.Net if your on Windows. Its free.

I bought a Wacom Bamboo tablet last week and included is a free download of ArtRage. I'm really impressed with it. My daughter is 11 and has only used a mouse and Paint before, and within an hour she was producing complex multi-layered pictures. It looks a complete doddle to use and the interface is great.

yeah, you've got me on beginning beginner art software. I use Photoshop, which is top notch for producing things but is NOT for the faint of heart. There are a ton of buttons and would probably overwhelm anybody who didn't work up to it slowly. on the other hand, there are bajillions of photoshop tutorials out there so its not like you'd struggle forever. somebody else recommended Painter to me and while I have a hazy recollection of using it once upon a time, i'm going to have to download a free trial to remember if it was any good. apparently the brushes in it are 'da bomb' for making artwork look "painted" instead of "i did this on a computer". honestly, if you're just starting? screw around with MS Paint that comes bundled with Windows (if you're on a PC). it doesn't have many buttons, the buttons it does have mimics more expensive programs so it'll help you later on and you can, in fact, produce very acceptable art with it. SEE BELOW -- not my art, i just googled this piece to show what's possible using the lowly Paint. in regards to SOFTWARE instructions -- well, i'm sure some do and some don't. photoshop is so popular there's a ton of tutorials on how to do just everything. MS Paint? Not sure, but there's gotta be stuff out there somewhere. as for things like shading, hatching, blending -- or even just plain drawing, Google can be your friend but more importantly, so can books. hit the local library and pick out a few things that look interesting and see where it takes you. as for how, there's a lot of good artists on this forum alone so just asking for help will probably net you a one-on-one help sessions with a friendly voice, probably complete with screencaps and little pointed arrows showing the important bits. also keep in mind there are collaborative oekaki rooms out there - log in with someone and have them SHOW you some techniques. that really does wonders.

GIMP is the Open Source (free) equivalent for Photoshop - it is primarily for Windows platform, but there are instructions for installation on Mac platforms as well. Just "for the record" - I use Photoshop... I also have a Wacom Bamboo interface, but don't get much time to work with it... Repeat after me.... "Layers are my FRIEND"....

Breathe...layers are my friend...layers are my friend...oh quick paper bag...breathe...layers are my friend... Thank you all for the help...I'm off to my local library for "Dummy guide" books and internet research oh and apparently my 7year old great niece will help her technologically challenge great aunty once I pick a program.... don't ya just love kids!

another thing I might suggest - find a free oekaki board online (I prefer ones with"Shi Painter" installed) and practice with that. you can usually paint quite large (up to 600x600 i believe, depending on the board) and because it's just a goofy little painting program, mentally you don't angst as much about trying to paint The Great American Project in your first week. my avatar was drawn in oekaki, for example.

wooo, purrrrrr I'm not usually an eagle girl (who am I kidding, I'll throw myself at the owl and condor anyday) But.. I have always been partial to your avatar looks like I need to set more time aside to play with more programs thanks

Originally posted by Reboekah Repeat after me.... "Layers are my FRIEND"....

I agree! Being able to just delete one layer among many or click "undo" if I goof up on something saves me a lot of grief. I use Photoshop, though it's not that cheap (I got a free version -a perk of knowing some graphic designers) or simple to learn. I learned a lot about it, though, from various tutorials at Deviantart.com. It took me about 6 months to go from totally clueless to having a handle on the basics of what it can do (and from what I can tell, it can do a LOT). I've looked at GIMP before, and it seemed quite similar to Photoshop, with the advantage of being free!

Originally posted by Madilayn You tried Corel Draw I take it? I'm not up on graphc arts programs - but I do know a lot of the people here use Adobe Photoshop.

Mmmmm Corel ... I swear by CorelDraw and Corel PhotoPaint ... I had no training on any program when I began with it and found it extremely user friendly. Love it love it love it!!