Artistry Plans Corel Painter 8 Retreat

It's hard to learn new software when you're distracted by deadlines and other pressing matters of daily life. That's why Artistry is offering a Corel Painter 8 Retreat Sept. 8-12 in Tacoma, WA. The program is being organized by artist and author Karen Sperling, who has taught Painter since its debut in 1991. She is the author of the manuals for versions 1.0 through X2.

During the retreat, participants will take photos and then learn how to transform them into paintings using Painter. The workshop will discuss how to determine which photos are the best candidates for conversion into paintings, and how to use Painter to fix those than are less than ideal. Attendees will also learn which brushes are Painter's star performers as you turn photos into watercolors, oils, gouaches, chalks, and other media; and see how art concepts such as value, composition, and color are related to Painter tools. Both landscape and portrait painting will be covered.

An art background isn't required to benefit from this training. (Artistry Painter Tutorials and Classes: 818-981-2803; www.artistrymag.com)