Corel Painter 9

I would never have believed a program that can do all Corel Painter 9 can could be so user-friendly. To use it at the most basic level (yet with pleasing results), you simply set a size of canvas, pick a brush, select a color, and paint. But as soon as you start investigating the possibilities of each brush and drawing tool, the mixing of paint on the palette, the wetting and drying of watercolor paper, the special effects, you realise what an awesome program it is for an artist.

Pros

Cons

Corel Painter 9 does a lot of amazing things and has an incredible array of brushes and drawing tools, but for me the most astounding is the Color Mixing palette. This is a digital version of the 'real thing'. Really! You select your colors and mix them on the palette, then pick up a mixed color and paint with it. And depending on what brush you're using, you'll run out of paint and have to pick up some more.

Each of the brushes has a range of variables. For example, with acrylics you can choose opaque or glazing, dry brush or not. The width of brush stroke can be changed. All the effects you can do with real paint on a real canvas. And some things you can do only digitally, such as having your watercolor paper stay 'wet' between painting sessions.

If you've used a drawing program before, you'll find it intuitive to use at a basic level. If you're new to drawing programs, it may be intimidating, but the Help is very comprehensive and understandable, so you should have more fun than frustration, even initially.

I doubt that Corel Painter will ever replace easel painting for me, simply because it lacks the tactile element (read: I can't squidge the paint with my fingers). But I'm already smitten with it as a digital sketchbook, for trying variations on a painting I'm working on, for manipulating photos to develop ideas. And I'm sure it will continue trying to seduce me as I learn how to use it better.

Note: An download upgrade to Painter 9.5 is available from Corel.com.