# Corel Painter

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Raster-based digital painting software

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Corel Painter Corel Painter IX Original authors Mark Zimmer Tom Hedges Developer Corel Stable release Corel Painter 2023 / June 21, 2022; 4 years ago (2022-06-21)[1] Operating system macOS, Microsoft Windows Type Raster graphics editor License Proprietary Website www.painterartist.com

**Corel Painter** is a [raster-based](/source/Raster_graphics) [digital art](/source/Digital_art) application created to simulate as accurately as possible the appearance and behavior of [traditional media](/source/Media_(arts)) associated with [drawing](/source/Drawing), [painting](/source/Painting), and [printmaking](/source/Printmaking). It is intended to be used in [real-time](/source/Real-time_computer_graphics) by professional [digital artists](/source/Digital_artist) as a functional creative tool.

## Materials and tools

The application offers a wide range of traditional artists' materials and tools. With the aid of a [graphics tablet](/source/Graphics_tablet) or computer mouse, the user is able to reproduce the effect of physical painting and drawing media such as watercolor, oil, chalk, charcoal and color pencil. There are also a few non-traditional items, such as the Image Hose, pattern pens, F/X, Distortion and Artist tools for allowing artists to apply less conventional elements on an image.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Painter emulates the visual characteristics of traditional media, such as oil paint, pastel sticks, air brush, charcoal, felt pens, and other traditional artists' materials on various textured surfaces. Many of these emulated media types work with the advanced features of Wacom tablets. For instance, the airbrush tool in Painter responds to pressure as well as tilt, velocity and rotation.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Painter and [Photoshop](/source/Photoshop) have many similarities, such as layered editing. The two products have developed as contemporaries, introducing innovations that are now considered standard in bitmap image editing software. For example, "Floaters" were released with Painter 2.5, around the time that Photoshop released "composite elements". Over time, Painter's user interface(UI) has been transformed to match Photoshop's UI. [*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## History

Painter was initially published in 1991[2] for the [Macintosh](/source/Apple_Macintosh) system by [Mark Zimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Zimmer&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Tom Hedges](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Hedges&action=edit&redlink=1), founders of the [Fractal Design Corporation](/source/Fractal_Design_Corporation). Zimmer and Hedges had previously developed ImageStudio and ColorStudio, both image-editing applications, for [Letraset](/source/Letraset). John Derry joined Zimmer and Hedges during the release cycle of Painter 1.2. Derry had gained previous paint software expertise at Time Arts, a developer of the early desktop-based paint applications Lumena and Oasis. *Fractal Design* later merged with [RayDream](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RayDream&action=edit&redlink=1), then with [MetaTools](/source/MetaTools) to become [MetaCreations](/source/MetaCreations). Metacreations sold off[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] all their creative interests and Painter was acquired by [Corel Corporation](/source/Corel) where it was temporarily rebranded "Procreate" Painter during its transition into the Corel Suite of graphic applications. Painter is now wholly owned and marketed by Corel.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Painter Series

At one point, Painter had three companion applications: a vector-based natural media twin called [Expression](/source/Creature_House_Expression); a scaled-down version of Painter developed for beginners called [Dabbler](/source/Dabbler) (later renamed Art Dabbler after the MetaCreations merger); and a grayscale-only clone called [Sketcher](/source/Sketcher_(software)). After the Corel acquisition, Art Dabbler 2 was reintroduced as [Corel Painter Essentials](/source/Corel_Painter_Essentials),[3] now in its sixth incarnation.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 2007, Corel released version Painter X, which was at first available in a limited edition paint can, a nod to the packaging for early releases of the software.[4]

### Painter Essentials

Main article: [Corel Painter Essentials](/source/Corel_Painter_Essentials)

Corel Painter Essentials is a less complex version of Painter designed for casual users. Multimedia tutorials, a more intuitive workspace, additional automated tasks and emphasis on photo retouching are some of the features included to appeal to beginners. Painter and Painter Essentials share much of the same underlying [code](/source/Source_code), and have many of the same tools and functions. For professional artists, Essentials will offer fewer tools and variants, and considerably less control. Actual in 2021 is Version 8.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Painter Sketch Pad

[Corel Painter Sketch Pad](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Corel_Painter_Sketch_Pad&action=edit&redlink=1), launched in January 2009, is the newest member of the Painter product series. Sketch Pad focuses on the conception and early design phase of image creation. It has 13 drawing tools compared to Painter's almost 900 brushes, and a simple user interface that supports quick capturing of creative ideas. It is designed to work with a pen and drawing tablet.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Reception

In 2014, [PC World](/source/PC_World) called Painter "the best natural-media painting program out there."[5] In 2015, PC Magazine called it "The best software for simulating painting and working with artistic media".[6] In 2017, ZDNet said it "remains one of the best digital painting tools for anyone with the skill to use traditional painting techniques onscreen".[7]

## Notable Artists

- Rhoda Grossman[8][9]

- Cher Pendarvis[10]

- Jeremy Sutton[11][12][13]

## See also

- [Comparison of raster graphics editors](/source/Comparison_of_raster_graphics_editors)

- [List of 2D graphics software](/source/List_of_2D_graphics_software)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-painter2023_1-0)** ["Painter 2023: A Faster and More Creative Digital Painting Experience"](https://www.alludo.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/updates/20220621-painter-2023/). 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2022-10-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Zimmer, Mark (2011). ["The Origins of Painter"](https://www.paintboxtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2011-05-The_Origins_of_Painter_by_Mark_Zimmer.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Corel product info"](http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1152105062012).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Corel Corporation. ["Corel Painter X - Limited Edition Paint Can"](http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1170111321164). Retrieved 2007-07-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Corel Painter 2015 review: Digital art studio betters its best features"](https://www.pcworld.com/article/2464183/corel-painter-2015-review-digital-art-studio-betters-its-best-features.html). *PCWorld*. Retrieved 8 December 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Corel Painter 2016"](https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2494909,00.asp). *PCMAG*. Retrieved 8 December 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Corel Painter 2018, First Take: The state of the natural-media art Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170903012359/http://www.zdnet.com/product/corel-painter-2018/). *ZDNet*. Archived from [the original](https://www.zdnet.com/product/corel-painter-2018/) on September 3, 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Corel Painter - Corel Painter Masters - Rhoda Grossman"](https://www.corel.com/content/painter/masters/pRhodaGrossman.html). *www.corel.com*. Retrieved 2023-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Rhoda Grossman | Peachpit"](https://www.peachpit.com/authors/bio/5d37a039-8cc0-4fc2-8ccd-2b6c3b77560d). *www.peachpit.com*. Retrieved 2023-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Cher Pendarvis"](https://learn.corel.com/all-experts/digital-art-experts/cher-pendarvis/). *Corel Discovery Center*. Retrieved 2023-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Jeremy Sutton"](https://learn.corel.com/all-experts/digital-art-experts/jeremy-sutton/). *Corel Discovery Center*. Retrieved 2023-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Painting Portraits with Jeremy Sutton"](https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/df12f862-9673-4fe5-af47-7ab0ab756d81/in-the-studio-with-jeremy-sutton/). *PBS LearningMedia*. Retrieved 2023-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Jeremy Sutton"](https://www.creativelive.com/instructor/jeremy-sutton). *CreativeLive*. Retrieved 2023-08-20.

## External links

- [Corel Painter Website](http://www.painterartist.com)

- [Corel Website](http://www.corel.com)

- [Corel Painter 2015 Help](http://apps.corel.com/redirect?_redirect=command&app=Painter&licenseid=540230705&version=14&lang=EN&function=help)

- [Interview with Mark Zimmer](http://www.maxschoenherr.de/radio/radioCurrent/MarkZimmer/markZimmer.html) for German public radio, 1996

- [Painter](https://web.archive.org/web/20071109050518/http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Software/Graphics/Image_Editing/Painter/) at the [Open Directory Project](/source/Open_Directory_Project)

- [Official Corel Painter Magazine](http://www.paintermagazine.co.uk)

- [Corel Painter X Master's Gallery](http://apps.corel.com/painterx/us/gallery_artwork.html)

- [Apple's resolution-independent interface](http://www.cabel.name/2007/01/apples-next-generation-themes.html) - a subsequent work from Zimmer

v t e Raster graphics editors Free software CinePaint CVIPtools darktable digiKam Eye of GNOME F-Spot Fotografix GIMP GimPhoto GIMPshop GNU Paint GrafX2 GraphicsMagick gThumb Hugin ImageJ ImageMagick KolourPaint Krita LazPaint LightZone mtPaint MyPaint Panorama Tools Pencil2D Phatch Pinta Rawstudio RawTherapee Seashore Shotwell Tux Paint UFRaw XPaint Proprietary Freeware Adobe Photoshop Express Affinity AndreaMosaic Artweaver Brush Strokes Image Editor Chasys Draw IES Fatpaint Fresh Paint Microsoft Photos FastStone Image Viewer Fotografix IrfanView Paint 3D paint.NET Photopea PhotoScape Pixia Windows Photo Gallery XnView Commercial ACD Canvas ACDSee Acorn Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Album Adobe Photoshop Elements Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Affinity Photo Aldus PhotoStyler Aperture Artipic ArtRage Bibble Barco Creator Brilliance Clip Studio Paint CodedColor PhotoStudio Pro Corel Painter Essentials Corel Painter Corel Photo-Paint Dazzle Draw Deluxe Paint Deluxe Paint Animation Dr. Halo Erdas Imagine GraphicConverter HDR PhotoStudio Helicon Filter Impos/2 Kid Pix KoalaPainter LiveQuartz LView Pro MacPaint Microsoft Digital Image NEOchrome NeoPaint OCP Art Studio OpenCanvas PC Paintbrush PCPaint PaintShop Pro PaintTool SAI Photo Mechanic Photo Raster PhotoImpression PhotoLine Photon Paint PhotoPerfect Picnik Picture Publisher Pixelmator Pro PMview Portrait Professional Procreate Project Dogwaffle QFX Quantel Paintbox Rebelle Retouch4me Serif PhotoPlus SilverFast HDR Sketchbook SuperPaint TVPaint Ulead PhotoImpact Xara Photo & Graphic Designer Zoner Photo Studio Bundled Ability Photopaint Microsoft Photo Editor Microsoft Office Picture Manager Microsoft Paint Photos (Windows) Comparison Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Corel Painter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corel_Painter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corel_Painter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.