Customer Reviews for The Painter X Wow! Book

The Painter X Wow! Book by Cher Threinen-Pendarvis

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Book Reviews of The Painter X Wow! Book

Book Review: Painter X Wow! wows even longtime Painter user
Summary: 5 Stars

TITLE: Painter X Wow! wows even longtime Painter user
David Purnell, M.A., CMI
NEW YORK WEST Medical Illustration Studio
skyotter@aol.com
September 16, 2007

This edition -- "The Painter X Wow! Book" -- of the book series by Cher Threinen-Pendarvis, like its predecessors, is beautifully done, and packed with valuable, accessible information.

I am a professional medical illustrator. Illustrations I create in Painter are the backbone of my work; of my business. I reserve Photoshop for image editing. But for original art that simulates natural media, I don't believe Painter can be beat.

One aspect of this book I especially appreciate are the many examples of how different artists have made use of various Corel Painter features. I find these "case studies" in Threinen-Pendarvis's book to be not only extremely informative, but highly inspiring.

As much as I've used Painter (since 1994, Painter v2.0), there is always more to learn. Within five minutes of perusing this new edition of Threinen-Pendarvis's book, I found something basic that I never knew. This new information will allow me to perform a frequently used task quicker and easier than I knew was possible.

Now here's something important I think new users of Painter should know. Painter, in my opinion, isn't difficult to learn. That is, it doesn't have a steep "learning curve." But what it does have is a steep "experiential curve." This is because it has so MANY fabulous features, tools, brushes, and effects. Even after all these years, there are features of Painter I've never explored. But I have a sense, generally, of the features available -- should I need to use them, or wish to explore them.

Painter is a rich gold mine of digital graphic tools waiting to be experienced. And Threinen-Pendarvis's "The Painter X Wow! Book" is a valuable road map to those riches.


Book Review: Chock a block full of new WOW! stuff!
Summary: 5 Stars

And as always in this new edition, Cher Threinen-Pendarvis does not disappoint. The Painter WOW! X Book is clear and concise with regards to layout and organization. It's easy to cross reference, and visually stimulating. I suspect you'll find, as I do this is a book that's tough to put down! As I said, the organization is such that you can jump around finding what you need quickly and easily. It's an exciting book too! I can't remember flipping through, and not getting the urge to "make stuff". You'll find tips and tricks in this book that you'll find nowhere else! I've examined similar Painter manuals, and find that they are either repetitive, hard to understand, and surely not as all-inclusive as The Painter WOW! X Book. One of the great things about this particular book is that it matters not whether you are a photographer, illustrator, fine artist or graphic designer. Nor does it matter what your style or aesthetic, figurative, illustrative, fantasy, photorealism, modern, or even if you're into typography! There is truly something in here for everyone; there is surely a doorway to your next great inspiration! I've been an Adjunct Faculty teaching Painter at an art college in Boston for years. And I've been highly recommending this text, edition after edition for as long as I've been teaching. There is none better! Regardless of your level of expertise, this book is a MUST HAVE for any digital artist that's using Painter. Oh, and if you've sitting on the fence with this purchase due to the fact that you have an older edition of this text, do not delay, as the application grows, so does this book! Enjoy!

Book Review: Certainly is a WOW book, but
Summary: 5 Stars

As I'm always trying to learn how to handle Painter X in more depth, but so far I've only just scratched the surface, (same with Photoshop), I purchased Cher's book. She definitely packs a lot into it, and is an excellent publication and learning tool, but, I don't feel it is for the first timer. I have messed around with Painter X for about six months, and still feel I need a "this is how you do this". I thought Cher's book was a bit of a "chuck 'em in the deep end", thing. If you have covered all the basic's and are handling them well, then this is the book for you. However, if like me, you are still coming to terms with a lot of Painter X, then I would look furhter for something that provides more basic steps and explanations, and easy exercises to complete, so you know you have successfully learned the steps. Try "Digital Painting Fundamentals with Painter X - Rhoda Grossman", first, then move into Chers's book, then you'll have everything you need to really make Painter X work. Cher's book is a great tool, worth all 5 stars.
01/03/2010 - Okay, since my review above, 24/04/2009, I have a further comment that may help Painter X users. For those having problems coming to terms with the program, try doing Painter 1 & 2 at LVS Online, these are two great six weeks courses that I can guarantee will get you into Painter X without pain, and if you have purchased Cher's book, you will make great use of it as I am. Hope this helps and goodluck.

Book Review: Absolutely wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars

This book is a superb reference for beginners and intermediate users. It won't teach you the absolute basics of the program - you need to figure them out yourself but it delivers in every other aspect. Artists with diverse sets of styles show the steps on how you can use the many brushes in Painter X to your advantage and explanations with lots of detail help you along the way. Galleries of professional work throughout the book serves as inspiration as you study. It covers so many things that you can do with Painter that you'll sometimes find yourself overwhelmed. Despite that, the book is well organized, the techniques are explained thoroughly, and most important of all: the information is great. Truly a great book; the extra goodies like brushes, textures, etc are icing on the cake!

Book Review: The Painter X Wow
Summary: 5 Stars

I have purchased quite a few books relating Photoshop and Painter, this is the first that has maintained my undivided attention from cover to cover. The layout is different to the other books I have purchased in that it is clear, great layout and has concise instructions in small doses. If you are a starter with Painter go for it. I have picked up quite a few pointers and will continue to use The Painter X Wow as a reference book. The Gallery of paintings is also of interest, especially the descriptions of how the paintings were achieved. For me, it works. Malcolm Judge
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