Karen Sperling’s Blog

Editor’s note: These are some reviews and works by photographers who have studied painting from photos with my Artistry Retreats, Painting for Photographers Ebook, Painting for Photographers DVD, Artistry Bonus CD Volume 1, Artistry Bonus CD Volume 2 and Artistry Tips and Tricks.

Rainy Chastine

Thank you so much Karen for your creative & knowledgeable teaching skills! With your seminar & book I have really stepped up my studio’s fine art division. Clients are enthusiastic about my paintings & the results have been so satisfying to me as an artist!
-Rainy

Crystal Garner

Karen’s new brushes for landscapes on the Artistry Bonus CD Volume 2 are genius. They are an inspiration and have opened up a whole new way of painting for me. Since my work is primarily nature and landscapes, I am looking forward to spending the summer creating beautiful works of art.

Crystal Garner
http://CrystalGarner.zenfolio.com/moj

Paintings by Crystal Garner from her photos with Karen Sperling’s brushes on the Artistry Bonus CD Volume 2

I absolutely love your brushes on the Artistry Bonus CD Volume 2!
They are a joy to work with. I had not done many paintings of landscapes before.
Thanks so much for all the hard work you do to bring us the tools that make painting fun and enjoyable!
Sharon

Painting by Sharon with Karen Sperling’s brushes on the Artistry Bonus CD Volume 2

Original photo by Sharon

Robin

I am pre-ordering the Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes, because I have had such a great time working with the downloaded Painting for Photographers ebook and the Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 1: Portraits, as whilst I love reading about Painter and the process, it’s even better to watch and listen as a project unfolds before you and I think the DVD as a learning medium is perfect for this.
The only thing that could be better would be taking part in one of your classes, so why not think about coming to the UK at sometime in the future, as we would love to see you here.

Best Regards

Robin

Editor’s note: I’d love to come to the UK! Anyone else in the UK interested in a Painter class? Click here to e-mail me and if I get enough interest, I’ll put a UK Painter class together. Thanks! -Karen Sperling

Michael

Karen,

I wish you every success with Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes and look forward to receiving it. I’ve bought Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 1: Portraits and some of the issues of Artistry Tips and Tricks and appreciate the step-by-step approach that you take - as a real beginner I find that really helpful.

Best wishes.

Michael

Bob

Karen,
I’m excited to pre-order the Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes. I already own the Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 1: Portraits and found the instruction clear and concise. Best of all it has improved my technique greatly (and results). I so enjoy turning photographs into paintings and your DVDs (and Artistry Tips and Tricks) have helped me break the “photographers” mindset (i.e. trapped into details) by being more “painterly”! You are not only a talented painter but a wonderful instructor and fantastic inspiration. Given how much I have received from your other instructional materials it was a no-brainer to pre-order the Landscapes DVD! I’d give your material “two thumbs up”!
Bob

Michael Fleming

Karen Sperling approaches teaching Corel Painter as both a gifted artist and fine educator. I found the initial Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 1: Portraits to be complete, fun to follow along, and I picked up lots of general art tips in addition to learning specific Painter techniques. I’m looking forward to the second DVD in this series, Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes.

-Michael Fleming

When it comes to Corel Painter, there is only one real source…Karen Sperling. Each book and DVD are beautifully done. They teach as well as amaze. This is the way to learn the system and improve your technique.

I decided to pre-order Karen Sperling’s Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes partly because I love her work and have learned a lot from her. I also pre-ordered because I have experienced that there’s no question she’ll follow through and deliver a product well worth the price and well worth waiting for. Pre-ordering is not something I often do, but with Karen it was a no brainer for me; it helps her get the product out, and it helps me by promising me very helpful tutorials.

Valerie

Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for taking on the development of a second Painting for Photographers DVD. When I saw that you are creating one on Landscapes I immediately knew I wanted it. I have the first DVD on Portraits and the Painting for Photographers book. I am new to Painter and they are my go to resource for learning how to use the Painter program and how to create paintings from my photos. Your lessons on art theory have me looking at my photos with a “new eye” (not only the ones I already have but the ones I am taking as well). I pre-ordered the first DVD and the book and now I am pre-ordering the second DVD because I know it will be well worth it.
Valerie

Tracy Cooper

Karen,

I can hardly wait for your new Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes. I have purchased and read every page of your Painting for Photographers ebook several issues of your Artistry Tips and Tricks, and the Artistry Bonus CD I. Before Painter, my passion was drawing charcoal and graphite pictures of female faces from reference photos. My initial attempts at painting faces from reference photos in Painter was disappointing to say the least. The end result was typically a cloned photograph with brushstrokes. That is until I purchased your Artistry instructional materials. You have mastered the perfect balance between teaching art concepts, technique, and technical software instruction.

I preordered your new Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes because it’s a bargain to start with, but who can resist 25% off and a free issue of Artistry Tips and Tricks?! Without a doubt it will be as great as your other materials that I’m constantly referring to.

I’m attaching a painting that I completed this week. This is a coworker who kindly allowed me to paint her picture so I could practice painting dark skin. She almost swooned when I showed her the end result. I couldn’t have done this without you.

Best wishes,
Tracy

Melvin Harris

Hi Karen,

I am very excited about your new DVD – Painting for Photographers Volume 2: Landscapes! Also, I’m glad to be on your mailing list because otherwise, I may have missed the opportunity to preorder this awesome deal. I am not a photographer but I am an artist working with all the new digital media ‘toys.’ I have had Painter for some time but never really got into it. Imagine how happy I was to discover in-depth tutorials on this program written by a Painter Master! Not just any Painter Master but one who was there at the beginning. It doesn’t get any better than that. I have Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 1 – Portraits and it is now part of my reference library. I encourage any artist or photographer interested in improving their craft, to preorder the Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes, because there is nothing worse than the words – “out of stock.”

Best regards,
Melvin Harris – Saint Albans, VT
ArtbyMelvin.com

Jess W. Driskell

I was so impressed with the artistic and technical information Karen provided in the Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 1: Portraits that I was very interested in the second volume, Painting for Photographers DVD Volume 2: Landscapes when she announced it. When I read her offer of a 25% discount for pre-orders plus a free issue of Artistry Tips & Tricks, I didn’t have to think about it any more: I know a good deal when I see it.
If you take the time to look at her Artistry Tips & Tricks directory, you can’t help but wonder at the vast range of expression she’s mastered in Corel Painter–and if you’ve used Painter for any length of time, you know the depth and complexity of the program. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to develop your technique in the application than to learn it from the woman who “wrote the book”–literally.

-Jess W. Driskell

Anne McFarlain

Hi Karen,
Wow!!!! I have read the first 16 pages of your Painting for Photographers ebook….WOW again! This is the very information that I am so lacking in…Thanks Karen. I am so excited and hopeful to learn. I saw your name on the NAPP web page and decided to check out your site. I have been a NAPP member for quite some time. You are a very talented artist and teacher…You and I will be spending lots of time together via your Painting for Photographers DVD and ebook! Thanks for sharing your amazing techniques and knowledge. I do have the latest Painter software…maybe, I’ll begin using it more now. Have a beautiful evening!
Sincerely,
Anne McFarlain

Raquel Bigby

Karen,

I just finished your Norman Rockwell Artistry Tips and Tricks and thought you might like to see the results. This was a good lesson for me because I usually paint very loose and quick, making me slow down and take my time. I’ve learned that just because it’s done on a PC doesn’t mean I will have a finished painting in a few hours. This one took weeks, just like when I worked in oils.

Thank you for all the Artistry Tips and Tricks and your Painting for Photographers book, this has really helped me learn Corel Painter after years of playing around with the program.

Raquel

Tracy

Hi, Karen,

I saw your book on Amazon and saw that it was sold out. Not one to give up so easily, I “googled” your book which led me to your website.

I read the entire Painting for Photographers ebook yesterday — I have 5 other Corel Painter books and have been struggling with painting with my photos in Corel. Your book is the best I’ve read and is what I’ve been desperately searching for. (Not one to give up easily), I’m now starting over on the paintings I’ve already attempted (much to my husband’s chagrin).

Thank you so much for your great book and Artistry Tips and Tricks.

Tracy

Debbie Hoelke

Dear Karen…..

I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that when I received your Painting for Photographers DVD & the Artistry Bonus CD I went right to work learning all your lessons & hints.

Your DVD I must say is one of the best…. you take the time to show and explain, and for that I am grateful.

I look forward to the next best seller…. cause I know that I will be one of
the first in line.

I have attached a sample of my work & what I have learnt from you.

Again thank you so much for sharing your style and talent with me……

Debbie Hoelke
Williamsburg Ontario Canada

John Harper
Editor’s note: John Harper is a long-time student of mine. He’s studied privately with me, attended the Artistry Retreat and has read maybe everything I’ve published .-KS

Karen,

I have been striving for years to develop a style I was comfortable with, one that I can paint quickly with some confidence. Painting cars made me a prisoner of detail, exactly what I am now trying to avoid.

So I looked at this picture, a lady unknown to me, saying that there is too much detail in it. Most of the detail would be lost unless I was careful, but most of the detail was inconsequential to the picture. So I highly cropped it, did a sloppy underpainting (or whatever it is called) and started to clone in as much detail as I thought necessary.

I think somewhere you said that all that is only necessary is to give enough detail that the viewer can visualize what you are painting. That is what I see in many of your works, just enough detail to comprehend the message. Hopper does not show much of the detail and Harper is trying to do the same thing. One doesn’t need to paint the in vein to know it is a leaf.

My habit for detail still haunts me, and I have not overcome this with cars, but I continue toward that goal.

I am still struggling to name my style as I paint a few of my neighbors. I call it an “artsy portrait,” but I am still getting too much detail in the face. For my more recent portraits I am using a broad acrylic stroke where each brush stroke shows. I think this makes for an “artsy” portrait as opposed to a “photographic” painting. I also try to incorporate a background with which the subject can identify, i.e., a cellist with sheet music as background. It works for me and my clients like it.

John

Neal Fox

Hi Karen,

A while ago we were talking about using Painter for animation. I’m still working on that. But I just finished a short film using some instruction I got from your website about making a photo look like a painting.

The film is called, “The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America.” There are several scenes where I used your approach and it worked wonderfully. I’ve had Painter for a long time but am just now finding more and more things it can do. The video I’m currently working on will contain some animation from Painter.

Thanks again for the help.

Best,
Neal

Steve Juntgen

Hello Karen,

I finished my first project following your DVD’s and your book and have attached the file.

The photo of my granddaughter was taken by my son David last July 4th weekend. Zoey’s mother makes those flower head bands and sells them on the internet. Zoey is around 1.5 years old.

You are more than welcome to use the comment and photos. It is with your help, Karen! I want you to know that without your help I could have not accomplished what you see. I have a lot to learn and will continue to study your book and DVD and practice.

Thank you,

Steve Juntgen

Zach

Hello Karen:

It’s just me — Zach — your Maryland “connection.” Well, at least one of your many East Coast fans.

Thanks for yet another lesson from your artistic arsenal. Many of us can find a great deal of solace in working with your materials.

Take care of yourself.

Zach

P.S. Maybe I will be able to attend one of your seminars in the not-so-distant future. For a person who possesses little raw artistic flair, I have a real thirst for learning the principles of painting photos.

The Painting for Photographers ebook is great!

The Painting for Photographers ebook is great, I am eagerly turning page by page and there are some great pointers and techniques. I am so glad I got your book.

Thanks for the great work.

Gregg

Karen Sperling Gifted Writer

Hello Karen,

I enjoyed your bio article, now I understand how you became a writer. You are gifted in a field of writing that you can pass on to others, the knowledge of painting that you love. As they say “what we do in life echoes in eternity,” keep up the good work!

Thank you,

Steve

Mike Sweeney

Painting for Photographers
On October 30, 2010, in commercial photography, editing, editing software, painting, photography, portraits, technique, training, by Mike Sweeney

The title is a double meaning, one is the obvious meaning, how can a photographer “paint” their images. The second is a reference to a book by Karen Sperling called “Painting for Photographers” which has been a guide for me while I explore how to use Corel Painter and Photoshop CS5 to change images into paintings.

I am a photographer, I am not a painter or at least I’m not in the classic sense of the word. But, as a portrait photographer, I use light and shadow just like a painter does to add texture and depth to my subject. Karen’s book really helps with understanding what makes a painting work and why it is different at times than a picture. I will say that while she is mostly oriented to the user of PainterX or Painter 11, she does not leave out the CS5 users who have the new bristle brushes and blending modes. Much of what she teaches crosses over to both. For example, when painting in the background, things like transitions, blending of hair, using different brush textures are not specific to one application but can be used by many different applications.

Click here to continue reading.

Painting for Photographers is Beautiful

Karen,

Thank you for your beautiful book, Painting for Photographers. Kudos for a job well done.

Deirdre

Raquel

Hi, Karen,

I took this photograph of my husband and my dog at Lucas Falls in Washington State. I loved the rustic texture of the wood and thought it might make a good impasto painting. First I cropped it in Photoshop, cloned out the blue halti collar on the dog, and worked on the color scheme using Photoshop filters. Then I opened my edited photo in Corel Painter and used Auto Painting techniques that are shown in Karen Sperling’s Painting for Photographers book. After I had my foundation, I followed the steps in the June 2005 issue of Artistry Tips and Tricks for changing a photograph into an impasto painting.

Thank you, Karen, for all your hard work that you have put into your book, DVD and Artistry Tips and Tricks articles. I know this will encourage people how to be digital artists. I have been a hobby artist most of my life and changing from canvas to a computer is different and takes practice. Your Painting for Photographers book and DVD, as well as your Artistry Tips and Tricks articles, have been very helpful, especially in learning what brushes to use and how to use them. You have helped me to practice and not give up.

Raquel

Deborah Jeffrey

Hi Karen:

Thank you again for sharing your gifting with us. I absolutely LOVE using your techniques to use Corel Painter to create photo paintings and original works of art. Thank you!

Deborah

P.S. I am attaching a couple of images — one of my dog, Zoe, and the other of a little girl named Claire (original photo and photo painting).

Bob

Karen,

I wanted to write and tell you how excited I am to be receiving your new DVD as a companion to your wonderful book “Painting for Photographers.”

Fabulous, inspiring and fun are only a few words that I would use to describe your book “Painting for Photographers.” The book inspired and encouraged me to create more freely and expressively. The easy-to-follow descriptions and advice throughout the book have provided me with a wealth of knowledge that has improved my painting techniques, confidence, and ultimately my images. The information you provide would benefit not only the beginner but the seasoned artist as well.

Improving my art through your instruction has led to some very exciting news for me. Recently I painted a local historic building for the club that maintains the facility. I took the 24″ x 16″ print to a local gallery to have dry-mounted. The gallery owner was very complimentary of the image I created. He highly encouraged me to paint other historical places and even some of the local universities. He wanted to be able to offer his customers my paintings. It seems there is a shortage of distinctive images of local attractions and universities (including some prominent business buildings) for sale to those looking for gifts for graduations, retirement, awards, and other celebrations. To say I was excited would be an understatement (who doesn’t like this type of encouragement). Now I wasn’t finished with my painting. So, after taking my dry-mounted print home I continued to add acrylic paints and gels (as suggested in your section on Post Printing). Once finished and framed I showed the painting around and have been offered, what I consider, an amazingly high price for the original (but since I had already promised the painting to the club that maintains the historic site I wasn’t able to sell the original.) I of course offered to sell giclee prints.

I wanted to tell you all of this not to “brag” but to thank you for making a difference through your wonderful teaching that you have graciously provided through your writings, forum postings, blogs, videos and your book!… so to say the least I’m very excited that the companion DVD is on its way… I’m looking forward to learning even more!

Thanks, again, for helping me to learn and grow…all the best to you!

Bob

Rhonda Krambs

Hi Karen,

I did not have the pleasure of attending your Artistry Retreat, but have learned much from your book and Painter tutorials. This is my first offering to show you what I have accomplished so far - but am not totally happy with the eyes, but fortunately, the whites are not so bright on the canvas as they appear on the screen.

Painting of my mom from a group shot wedding photo (background replaced) in 1974. She was 45 years old - and all of our boyfriends had crushes on her.

Rhonda Krambs

Larry Fowler
Just a short note to let you know how much your Painting for Photographers book and Artistry Bonus CD have helped me.

I have been a photographer for 40 years professionally and had hoped to try Corel Painter for a retirement project. I had purchased several books and DVDs to get me started, but still could not get the idea.

I saw Karen Sperling’s Painting for Photographers book advertised and purchased it. What a good start, then the Artistry Bonus CD better still. I found the brushes great and gave me the look I wanted. I have now ordered the Painting for Photographers DVD and know that this will add more good information.

Keep the good stuff going.

Thanks,
Larry Fowler

Dan Bourne

Good Morning, Karen:

I received Painting For Photographers several months ago and have finally gotten to the point where I feel comfortable sending you one of my paintings.

I thank you for your efforts in the areas of training and encouragement. I will continue to follow what you are doing with interest and use your many examples and suggestions to improve my work. There is no way I could have done what I’m doing now without you.

Thanks again,

Dan Bourne

Tags: Artistry Bonus CD, Karen Sperling's Corel Painter brushes reviews //