A Recent Photographic Interpretation

This is a recent portrait interpretation job I did for Mercer Harris Photography. Mercer is a real master of lighting, making it a joy to work on his portraits. I just love the pose he captured of this girl.

I have a course on lynda.com, Digital Painting: Transforming a Portrait, that goes into all of the details of how I approach and interpret a portrait photograph. When the subject and photographic quality is as good as Mercer's output, it makes the interpretation easy.

Arched Oak

This unusual oak tree—a favorite of mine—resides in a nearby park. I have no idea why it has chosen to grow this way, but it makes for an interesting portrait of a unique tree.

I'm currently working on my Painter 12 Essentials title for lynda.com. Scheduling has gotten moved around and I won't be recording until sometime in the Jan/Feb timeframe. Expect its release sometime later in the first quarter of '12.

It's Official...

I am currently working on a new title for lynda.com: Corel Painter 11: Mastering Brushes. I've been wanting to do this title for a long time, and the stars have finally aligned. In my workshops and emails, I constantly detect a definite "fear factor" when it comes to Painter's Brush Controls.

I'll admit that these controls can look like a 747 cockpit to many, but there definitely is a method to the madness and I intend to create a brush "bible" of sorts that takes the veil off of this crucial aspect of Painter.

Rather than solely relying on Painter's brush presets—Variants—users should feel comfortable adjusting and crafting brushes to suit one's own unique expressive voice. This is the goal of Mastering Brushes. Even though it is titled to reflect Painter 11, this title will be educational for users of any version of Painter.

The release date hasn't been set, but there is a good chance I'll be recording this title at lynda.com in Ventura, CA in December. If you don't see me here as often in the next month or so, now you'll know why!

John's Watercolors User: Giovanna Gazzolo

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Italian artist Giovanna Gazzolo of Rome created this impressionistic portrait with John's Watercolors. Gio says, "This morning I received an email with John's Watercolor brushes. Had to try them! While I was drawing I realized that there could be a lot of opportunities or combinations for some future paintings."

To see more of Giovanna's artwork, visit her website.

Next Friday, October 2, I will be hosting a free All Things Painter webinar at 11:00AM PDT. I'll demonstrate John's Watercolors by creating an image from start to finish.

Find out what the excitement over these brushes is all about! In addition, one lucky attendee will win a free copy of my lynda.com Painter 11 Essential Training DVD, a $99 value! You can sign up here.

If you have an example of art created with John's Watercolors, send me a JPEG—your work may get featured here!

John's Watercolors are $35. You can purchase these brushes by clicking the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. If you don't have a PayPal account, an option to pay via credit card is offered as well.

If you've been frustrated trying to master digital watercolors, John's Watercolors for Painter are the answer!

John's Watercolors User: Joan Hamilton

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Canadian artist Joan Hamilton created Afternoon at the Pond with a combination of John's Watercolors and her own watercolor brushes. "John Derry's watercolour brushes go a step further towards being able to execute some random watercolour marks.", Joan says. "I have been trying to get a looser, wetter watercolour look for quite some time and your brushes really helped."

To see more of Joan's digital watercolor work, visit her website, joanahamilton.com

Don't miss my free All Things Painter webinar on Friday, October 2 at 11:00AM PDT. I'll demonstrate John's Watercolors by creating an image from start to finish. Find out what the excitement over these brushes is all about! In addition, one lucky attendee will win a free copy of my lynda.com Painter 11 Essential Training DVD, a $99 value! You can sign up here.

If you have an example of art created with John's Watercolors, send me a JPEG—your work may get featured here!

John's Watercolors are $35. You can purchase these brushes by clicking the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. If you don't have a PayPal account, an option to pay via credit card is offered as well.

If you've been frustrated trying to master digital watercolors, John's Watercolors for Painter are the answer!