Most people have heard of Painter by Corel which simulates the look of real paints and canvas, but you may not have heard about Art Rage. I read about Art Rage recently in a Mac magazine and decided to download the free starter edition to quickly try it out. The starter edition gives you a few tools including chalks, oil paint, pencils to get you started, extra tools are disabled, available in the paid edition costing $25 for Mac or Windows. Missing also in the free edition is the ability to create layers.
I have a copy of Painter but as a very occasional user find it quite complicated to use and I felt that the cut down version of Painter (Painter Essentials) lacked the tools I wanted to try. A quick try of Art Rage and it seems fairly intuitive to use, it gives you the ability to place a tracing image, useful if you want to use a sketch or photo as a base and I like the look of the oil paints. Why not download the free edition and give it a try?
You can see what can be done with Art Rage in the video below.
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25 Comments
This looks like a really great alternative, and way to exercise and get the creative juices flowing when you just can’t stand another vector shape! That video was pretty amazing. Although I enjoyed the first painting better without all the animals and sea creatures.
Yeah, I’ve tried Painter, too, and it’s very confusing. I was entranced by just the little swiggles you did with paint in the first image! I really like the look of paints but it’s something that I’ve found difficult to get with Photoshop. Does Art Range work with a Wacom tablet?
Hi Rachel – what about my painting beautiful eh!
Hi Lauren, I see what other people do with painter and think Wow, but its just too complex for me. You can use Art Rage with a Wacom tablet, I have got one but haven’t tried it as yet
oh no TAra, did you do those? that is AWESOME!!!! i thought you found it on youtube…
Hi Rachel,
No, I was joking
, they are from Youtube. Mine is the screen shot of me trying out paints at the top
Hmm… I haven’t tried the software yet. But after I look at the YouTube video demo, I almost can’t distinguish between real paintings and Art Rage.
How long do you think to produce something like the video had shown?
Hi Firewalker,
I’m not sure how long but I guess quicker than real painting as you don’t have to wait for bits to dry and there’s no mess to clear up.
Hello again, Tara!
What I mean is how long it will take to learn Art Rage until we can produce something like the video did?
Hmm… you have experienced the software, maybe you can try and guessing. Is it harder than photoshop?
Thank you.
Hi, I have only quickly dabbled with the free version but I would say it would be a lot quicker to learn (technically) than photoshop as its a lot simpler. I found it quite intuitive you click on an image of a tool choose a colour from the pallette and start painting, I guess like anything it takes practice to use it to its full potential. Why don’t you download the free version and give it a try?
I downloaded it just like you said. Hmm… it’s hard! I think I will spend much time to learn this (and to read the painting guidance book).
The interface is very cool! I like it.
I use Artrage! *waves hands furiously*
The free version was on the disk with the drivers for my wacom tablet (£36 off amazon – get in!)
I’m not the best with it, because I like to just scribble. My sister’s pretty nifty with it. She’s an A-level art student and picked the tablet up no problem. I’ll see if she’ll let me share some pictures with you…
Hi Rachael,
That’s great love to see some of your sister’s pics or yours
if you want to post a link
Yeah this is a good alternative to painting. But you would not have the feeling of the paints on your hand.
I just did a picture for you, Tara. http://i3.tinypic.com/6g0p255.jpg
Hope you like it!
Fun Pic Rachael when are you exhibiting
– sorry to take so long to respond I have been on holiday.
The Youtube example is kinda kitschy, but Art Rage is a great alternative to the bulky Painter.
Great when using a tablet.
I was thinking… Friday? Can’t decide between Kettering or Corby… What do you think?
Either sound good
Alas they’re a bit too far away from me… I’m right down the south of the county, literally a stone’s throw from the bucks and oxon borders. We’re basically what you’d call the “scum of northants”.
Got to be honest I prefer the real thing,it’s a nice alternative though.
Looks great though.
Thanks for the information,
Either sound good:)
Interesting piece, I have not used painter myself. I use GIMP or have done for a while and it seems like good photo editing software.
Nice article. Will need to try these out.
I haven’t tried any of these painting simulations. I’m still in the Dark Ages perhaps, because I stick to using real paints on my artworks. But yes I like how the oil paints look. I wonder if it’s easy to use for art tech dummies like me.
I have always found cheaper is better, especially when it comes to art software.