I'm not sure whether to buy Painter 11 or Photoshop CS4. My trial versions ran out before I got to look at them in detail. The main thing is which would be easiest to navigate with a view to drawing and painting in 2D. I am a traditional artist venturing into digital. So enlighten me if you would.

 

Oh yes and which would have the best blending tools? TY, Annie

Acidannie:

The main thing is which would be easiest to navigate with a view to drawing and painting in 2D. I am a traditional artist venturing into digital. So enlighten me if you would.

Painter allows the easiest transition from trad to digital. Its brushes are excellent and you don't have to dig too deep to simply draw and paint in the manner you are used to. It can be (very) buggy. It's half the price of PS.

On the other hand, if you want to create images like many of those that are featured in the mag then Photoshop is more suitable. It has so many powerful features it would make you puke. If you want to transform, warp, overlay, change colours, create special brushes, etc. etc. as well as paint and draw then PS is the guy. It's also rock solid. It's worth the price.

Acidannie:

Oh yes and which would have the best blending tools?

Easy, Painter.

(Photoshop CS5 is due out in April and there are rumours that its brushes and painting features will be enhanced considerably).

joeparis:

On the other hand, if you want to create images like many of those that are featured in the mag then Photoshop is more suitable. It has so many powerful features it would make you puke.

Adobe should put that in their publicity material. "Photoshop, guaranteed to make you puke!"

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From what you said Joe I'm now leaning more towards Photoshop. I will have to save for it anyway so maybe Ill go for CS5. I'm just a bit worried that Ill be lost as I'm totally new to this. But I suppose there's lots of tutorials etc. for PS so I would be ok with it as long as I have my sick bag at the ready ;)

I had a look at the Intuos4 S today too. The Wacom bamboo one is a bit small. I dont want to buy that and then a year later regret buying the bigger one for a few euros more. I can get it for E224 (200 pounds) on the Wacom website. Looking at the website the Intuos4 S seems to be the best one that I can get for approx that amount of money. The more I know about this subject the more I change my mind hence all the annoying posts

All this amidst little daydreams about giving up my day job and becoming a highly sought after illustrator. My other half wants me to get a job with Blizzard so he can get a free subscription to World of Warcraft. Hey, a girl can dream eh? 

my intuos3 came with a copy of painter essentials 3 included. It might be worth seeing what is included with the intuos 4?.  I find photoshop easier to work with but its nice to be able to flip between the two and painter does have some wonderful features

My intuos 4L came with a key to enter Wacom site and choose a piece of donwloadable software of your choice. I chosed Photoshop Elements 7, but I don't rememeber what the other choices were. I think one was Art Rage 2.5, but I can't assure it. Also early this year my niece bought a Wacom Bamboo One and it came with Art Rage 2.5.

Last I heard it was either Corel Sketchpad or a lite version of Sketchbook Pro.

interesting offer for both painter and photoshop for intuos 4  owners

http://www.wacom.com/intuos/bonus-software.php

Nimh:

interesting offer for both painter and photoshop for intuos 4  owners

http://www.wacom.com/intuos/bonus-software.php

As long as you are in the US:

* This Bundled Software Download Program is available only to Intuos4 purchasers in the Americas region. Customers from other regions should check their regional Wacom website for local offers. Offer subject to change without notice.

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If I had one to pick, Painter. It's less expensive and get the job done. But, if you could go for both software. Get more familiar with both.

It depends a little on how you want to learn? I'd say if you go into a bookshop and look at learning tools, photoshop has the bigger repetoir. Also since it enables you to enhance photos you can get good results from photo collage etc quite quickly. Next you may want to consider if you intend to make  a buck or two from the investment... you'll find there are jobs listed for people who handle photoshop put very rare to see an add for someone to you knows painter.

Well that's my couple of cents. (but then I'm sold on Illustrator ;p) 

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this avitar will have to do for now :)

I was always traditional until recently. I've tried both. As with everything, both have their advantages and disadvantages. I picked up Painter X on ebay for about $60 (sorry, don't know euros).

One of the big issues I had with Painter was transparency. It..well....doesn't do it really. At least the way that Photoshop does. Painters color wheel is great tho.

 I did hear alot of good things about ArtRage and Paint Tool Sai. There is an english version out there now. They are cheaply priced.

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You must have faith in yourself when no one else will....like now for example.

ARiley75:

There are other ways of getting programs too. Not that I recommend them. *cough* torrents.

Why mention it then?

Please don't advise people to steal software, or point them in the direction of where they can do so on this forum.

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My mistake. I got rid of it.

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You must have faith in yourself when no one else will....like now for example.