Loading brushes into Adobe Photoshop is actually quite simple. Most Photoshop users out there will look at this and say, “oh loading Photoshop brushes is simple.” However, if you have never done it, I would love to show you how.

So, if you are asking yourself, how do I load custom Photoshop Brushes in to Photoshop? Take a look at this video I put together. The video will show you just how easy it is to load brushes quick and easily into Photoshop. Have FUN!

I have to admit, this weeks topic was a little tough for me.  I guess I can say i really didn’t have the creative juices flowing.  Here is my Clique Cartoon for Illustration Friday.

I have already seen a lot of other illustrations done by other artist on the “Clique” topic and have seen a lot of creative masterpieces!

I would love to hear your thoughts! Critiques are always welcome!

So this weeks topic for Illustration Friday I had to think about for a sec, because the first thing that I think comes to mind for most people.  I think would have to be someone stranded on an island.  So I didn’t what to come up with the typical.  So I thought about it a little more.

The stranded alien on an Island I thought might  get some laughs.  I have noticed that there were others that had some alien related posts for “Island”.  However I hope you enjoy!

Leave a comment!  I would love to hear your thoughts on my topic for my island cartoon.

Why do I feel drawing and painting digital cartoons is better than traditional pencil and paper… Now since this is my own personal preference I think I am in titled to my own opinion. J

Since I create all of my illustrations into the computer, I would like to explain why I like to use the computer to draw and paint my artwork digitally. There is one huge advantage I can say that digitally creating my cartoons over the traditional, is the speed at which I can get my work done. I remember before I used the computer to create my cartoon illustrations I was always going through lots of sketch books. Not saying cost was a huge problem with sketch books, but this will bring me into my next plus in using the computer. As a traditional pencil and paper artist you always have to scan your artwork into the computer to make final touches or to make duplicates. Well unless you are using the highest grade scanner you always have to make adjustments to make sure you get the best scan possible.

Now if you just created your art right into the computer to begin with. Keeping in mind you know a little about resolution, if you do use the computer from the start you will always have a great image for publication or print.

Painting Digital Cartoons = No Mess!

I have to say, I am kind of a baby when it comes to messy art supplies. Another plus I feel for creating digital cartoons is that, I don’t have to worry about no mess afterwards! When I use the paints in Photoshop or Painter. I don’t have to worry about the mess when the final piece is complete. Now I think a lot of people will disagree with me because they probably feel like when they do get a little messy after a piece of art work. They would argue they feel like they have accomplished something. A master piece that took a little elbow grease requires a little mess!

The Computer is only a Tool

What it really boils down to is, the computer is only a tool. Just like anything else, when drawing or painting it always requires much time and dedication. There is a little bit of a curve when using the computer to do all of your work. However, I think at the end lots of artist would agree it does help speed things up a bit. Especially when getting proofs off to your client. Now days it just seems like everything is going digital. I don’t really know if that is a good thing or not. However right now its helping me out.

Ok so this is not Photoshop, but has a lot of characteristics of Photoshop. Read Below

Online applications are starting to become the tool now days. Today I came across a free online painting program that allows you to paint and draw right into your web browser. Also you can edit images with this free online application.

So if you want to create a doodle online this is a must see. I have to admit it’s not as good as SUMO Paint but it does do a really nice job emulating some of the professional leading programs out there today.

The layout of the interface looks a lot like Photoshop. It looks and feels like the tools you would use in Photoshop. So if you don’t have Photoshop this is almost like a preview of what Photoshop has to offer. . Photoshop obviously can handle a lot more and is much more powerful when it comes to brushes and filters and effects. However, its free so it definably worth checking out and playing with it a little..

Check out Pixlr.com

Ok one of the coolest finds that I have came across is this really cool online painting program.  it really is no Joke.  Someone has actually came up with a web application that allows you to create paintings right into your own web browser.

One of the coolest features is you can share your creations with other members in the Sumo Paint community.

Sumo Paint Features:

01. The Shapes Tool SUMO Paint has a wide selection of unique shape tools

02. Layers With Blending Modes SUMO Paint has advanced support for layers.  The layers support these features: Opacity, Blend Mode, Hide

03. Awesome Brushes SUMO Paint offers a wide selection of brushes  for  digital painting and tablet fanatics.

04. The Ink Brush Tool The ink mode us a unique feature of SUMO Paint for creating realistic ink impressions.  Adjust  ink wetness with the ink Brush Tool.

05. Filters SUMO Paint has several advanced filters including but not limited to Blur, Berlin Noise, Hue / Saturation, Liquid Waves and Color Balance.

06. Gradient Tool The gradient tool is quite advanced giving the option to tweak multiple properties such as linear/radial, focal point, spread method and blend mode.  The tool has a real time preview, so applying a gradient is not guesswork..

07. Gravity gravity option smoothes the drawn line to curves, making it easy to create abstract and beautiful artwork.  The option is available in Symmetry and brush  tools.

08. Shape Trails Shape trails option creates ghost trails for the shape given, creating an interesting and cool effect.  Experiment with opacities to get the effect you want.  Shape trails is available in Rectangle, Circle, Pie, Star, Round Star and Blade Star tools.

09. Zooming SUMO Paint Zoom offers unlimited levels of magnification and a possibility to use anti-alias while zooming.

10. Symmetry Tool With the legendary symmetry tool and its multiple properties you can create beautiful symmetrical creations.  Experiment with symmetry points,  gravity and modes to get exactly the result you want.

11. Color Picker The SUMO Paint Color Picker is extremely simple and easy to use!  You can switch between the foreground and background colors and also type in the color as a hexadecimal value.

12. Swatches SUMO Paint has a large selection of color swatches to choose from.

13. Smudge Tool SUMO Paint smudge tool has a big selection of brushes and a possibility to use following blending modes: Normal, Lighten, Darken.

14. Custom Shape Tool The SUMO Paint custom shape tool lets you draw your own custom shapes and fills the shape when the mouse button is released.

Check out SUMO Paint for yourself, and have FUN!!

Creating Custom Pallets is one advantage in using Corel Painter.  If you have ever used Painter before, then you will know there us a large library filled with cool brushes.

Often When I am working I will use a brush but then grab a different brush to apply a different look/effect.  however, later I will want to go back to the previous brush that I was using before… Well knowing me I for get the name or where it  and was located. So this brings up the option of creating custom brush pallets.

Custom Brush Pallets are awesome because if there are only three set of brushes that you use ( I typically only use three brushes).  You can get to them very quickly by having your own pallet setup just for your specific brushes that you use all the time.

Follow this link to watch the video on how I set up my custom brush pallet.

*Creating Custom Brush Pallets*

Here I have created a little video that shows you how I have created a sketch and went in to add the color and shading.  Also adding highlights.