Karen Sperling's Painting for Photographers Volume 3: Painting Portraits, Landscapes and Composites in Corel Painter

If you are looking for an easy fix -- a one-click procedure that will translate your photograph to a watercolor, or an oil painting -- then this is NOT the book you want. This is, instead, an excellent book that teaches how, with practice, one can turn photographs (portraits, landscapes and composites) into "paintings" using Corel Painter. Similar techniques can be used in Photoshop.The author provides an overview of the various brushes she uses in Corel Painter to achieve different looks. While she provides step-by-step instructions on how she worked on the illustrations, this is not a paint-by-numbers book. It is a useful guide to introduce you to the art form, and then allow you to practice and experiment.The portraits section provides nice insight particularly on eyes and lips. The landscape section covers leaves and flowers. And it's all tied to color theory and light vs. shadow, the root of art. As a result the reader gets a short (under 130 pages) but solid (no wasted space) explanation of not only HOW, but WHY. She further discusses art theory and history (and encourages the reader to study the artists -- whether classic or contemporary -- and thoughtfully includes names of artists for those who may not be as familiar with them. I particularly like this book because the author understands the original art styles upon which this is based.A nice addition to an artist's library.

Karen Sperling, painter expert covers Painter's many facets of photography painting from landscapes to portraits and composites. She not only explains the tools in the program to create these various art forms but touches on the basics of digital painting in each case. It is helpful to have the basic precepts of each explained, a wealth of knowledge shared beyond the ability of the programs tools. I bought the book for this reason, a mini introduction to digital painting of many kinds with an emphasis on how to do and what to do!

Karen Sperling - Book is First-class, the best obtainable, distinctive, superior, exceptional, superb, skillful, wonderful, marvelous, sensational, top-notch.I have been using Corel Painter for many years, but it was not until I purchased her book. Now I understand the meaning of the mind set of using Corel Painter. First take and look at the master painters of yesterday. She starts with art theories. First look for photos that that have strong areas of contrast. She suggest that the subject should the focal point of the painting. She points out that what makes a great painting. A painting should have less detail than a photograph. Also a painting should have a chosen color scheme that flatters the individual in the painting.So using these principles, I began a photo session for an executive portrait using a dark background, and lighting the subject focusing on the clientʼs facial features. Hence her principles using strong areas of contrast were used. I then took the image into painter and using her classic studio portraits technique as described starting on page 46 of her book. Upon review by the client the image was printed and framed as a 24x36. The client is the retiring CEO of a major heating and air conditioning company. It will be on display at their newly redesigned headquarters. The fee for the painting was in excess of $3500. This book along with Corel Painter can open up a new source of revenue for photographers.

I could not read the fine print. The examples were not enough. The examples did not furnish enough information for me to use. I even spoke to the author, which just told me to get another one. I did and it too lacked.

If you are looking for a Corel Painter guide, look no further! This is a written and organized in such a way that it is very easy to understand and use. Karen Sperling is a master at Painter and provides great instruction in her new book. A must buy for anyone from hobbyist to expert! I can't recommend highly enough!!

Must read for photographers looking to take their work to the next level, and for the digital artist looking to get a jump start into the wonderful world of Corel Painter. Karen does a great job of walking you through step-by-step, along the way she teaches you the theory behind what she is doing so you can apply it to your own images. I even had a question on a technique, emailed her and got an answer back. She is a true artist, and teacher, and you can tell from her art and this book.

Good techniques, Good results. Karen Sperling is offering excellent training in this publication. There is some information on using Painter 2017 in one chapter.

I am glad to have purchased this book. I am a photographer who was recently introduced to painting of portraits for photography. I purchased this book and I was amazed that it addressed several of my questions. My questions included an easy to understand reference to the tool Corel Painter. My most pressing questions was an understanding on how most artist picked the background color for their backgrounds. Chapter 2, page 40 provide a lesson on choosing colors for your background portraits. This is my go-to book regarding the brushes or Painter interface. I am already asking Karen for Volume 4! LoL!!!

I always wanted to try Corel Painter, but no book or video ever actually got me started - until this one. Its great for building confidence, giving really useful tips and techniques along the way; with just enough 'theory' and how to apply it, to begin deepening knowledge and wanting to explore (and 'play') further. Whatever else happens, this is the book that I will always remember as giving me the impetus and encouragement to try it - thanks Karen!

Working through the book now but really good so far. I needed something to kickstart me with Painter 2017 and this book by Karen is fitting the bill so well. Well worth the money.

Básicamente, un libro que explica cómo emborronar fotos utilizando diferentes pinceles para que el resultado se asemeje muy penosamante a una mala pintura. Además, los ficheros necesarios para seguir los tutoriales se han de pedir por correo a la autora. Es bastante más recomendable el libro Painter 12 for Photographers de Martin Addison

Karen's latest book is just amazing on getting people started with Painting for Photographers. It is beautifully written and every easy to understand. The diagrams and photos really help get the point across. I decided to purchase the physical book this time because It is easier to follow along as I move through the lessons. Thank you Karen for making this new Volume so easy. The typeface and diagrams are beautiful with a lovely painted cover. Get this book.

The best. to the point with creative and artistic touch's.