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The Photoshop and Painter Artist Tablet Book: Creative Techniques in Digital Painting
By Threinen-Pendarvis, Cher
Peachpit Press,  2005

Description:
         Ever since the introduction of computers, new opportunities have evolved for everyone. As an artist, I live in a world where creativity abounds. I’m constantly bombarded with ideas for watercolors and other projects. When I hear people say they “don’t have a creative bone in their body,” I realize how fortunate I am. However, today’s digital world is about to change that for the general public. You might ask, how can that be? Today there are computers in most homes to fulfill the basic functions of our technological society. The applications are so well constructed that you find people using programs like Garage Band to create their own music and iLife to create their own movies and DVDs. But most importantly, the artist today has a toolbox of endless possibilities available. As the author, Cher Threinen-Pendarvis, points out, every tool is readily available from the finest paintbrush to the roughest chalks. Better yet, as an artist, you will never run out of supplies when you work in the digital world. No longer does an artist have to worry if they have enough paper or fresh tubes of paint for a project. Life in the digital world revolves around a computer screen, Wacom tablet or mouse, and an application such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter IX. In other respects, it also simplifies the artist’s life. No longer does an artist have to go out and purchase canvases, paint, easels, and other tools for art projects. They have everything at their disposal on the computer.
         There is one factor however that plays an important role in both of the worlds---the “Talent factor”. There is a lot of unrealized talent in today’s world. Also, there is definitely a learning curve to be dealt with to gain success in any endeavor.  This is where this book plays a significant role. The author has worked in a traditional fundamental art background. She provides the transitional exercises  for computer users to close the learning curve betweeen traditional techniques and digital complexities.

The book itself is subdivided into the following chapters:
About the Author and Artist -  Foreword by Bert Monroy
Introduction,
1: The Digital Art Studio
2: Photoshop, Painter, and Tablet Basics for Artists,
3: Assembling Brushes and Paint
4: Drawing and Tablet Exercises
5: The Illusion of Volume
6: Sensitive Tone and Modeling
7: A Sense of Atmosphere
8: Starting with a Scanned Drawing
9: Using a Photo Reference for Painting
10: Defining the Focal Point
11: Simulating Paper and Canvas
12: Mixing Media
13: Retouching, Tinting, and Painting
14: Composing from the Imagination
- Gallery
- Appendices
- Index
As an educator, Cher provides an informative classroom that the reader can enjoy in their own home at their own convenience. It is a classroom where the student can go back again and again with different projects using the same techniques. In other words, the book’s helpfulness is only limited by the person’s creativity.
Each chapter starts with an introduction to the project followed by an artist statement about the painting. There are four types of sidebars scattered throughout the book.
Palette identifies conceptual aspects of the projects and tips from the artist.

The second type of sidebar is identified by a hand with a stylus. It provides tablet tips.
The third icon, the eye, identifies Photoshop information and tips.
The fourth icon, paint bucket, identifies Painter information and tips.

The artist materials boxes are color coded to differentiate between Painter and Photoshop (lavender-purple for Photoshop and teal for Painter). Above the artist materials box you will see the example brush strokes needed to perform the exercise.
             
Learn More sidebars will tell the reader where to find additional information about a topic.

The book is in an almost square format (9”x9.5”) complete with full color illustrations, paintings, and screen shots. The color is beautifully presented on the clay based paper stock. The inclusion of an Appendix and a detailed index make this a good reference tool for an artist. Its beautiful format and paper would also make it an excellent coffee table book.

Strengths
Cher, an award-winning artist, has been creating illustrations on the Macintosh since 1987. She is known for her mastery in Photoshop, Painter, and her demonstrations of the Wacom tablet.  In this book she has designed the lessons to push users skills further using the pressure sensitive tablet in conjunction with Photoshop and Painter IX. The book itself is unique in that it explores all three tools highlighting their technical features and their strengths in relation to fundamental art concepts such as composition, drawing techniques, etc.

During an interview with DT&G magazine (http://www.graphic-design.com/DTG/interviews/cher/ ), Cher was asked what prompted her to put the book together. Here is her answer:
“I was inspired to write a book that would teach as a traditional art book would teach. The focus of The Artist Tablet Book is on the art concepts and the development of the art instead of just technical directions. I have enjoyed using digital art tools for nearly two decades, and I am amazed by how the tools have matured and become more sensitive and user-friendly.”

When asked for words of encouragement for aspiring artists, she replied:
      “Whether you are an experienced artist or are just beginning to dabble and are nervous about your artistic skills, the computer can help you reach new freedom and confidence. If you are an experienced artist, you can paint from life using the eye-to-hand coordination that you developed as an artist. If you don't feel confident drawing from scratch, this book offers exercises that will give you practice.
         Remember that painting with a computer is more forgiving than most conventional media because you can draw or assemble a composition and save multiple versions as you work. You can try new approaches to your composition, undo without ruining your work, and open a previously saved version and begin again from that point. So much is possible with the computer.
         Drawing using a good quality tablet and cordless stylus is completely free and natural whether you draw from life, from memory, or use a reference. The art tools and hardware have become so good in recent years that you can work with the new tools and become immersed in the creative process in much the same way that you can using traditional tools.”

Weaknesses
         Cher has turned a potential weakness into a positive by designing this book to work with different versions of both Photoshop and Painter IX. The tools utilized have been available in older versions of the software. They will also be available in future releases of the applications. In essence this provides a timeliness to the projects presented in the book.
         Although the book’s format was great for a coffee table book, I would have liked a diferent binding to make it more adaptable beside the computer. Workspace being at a premium, I found it hard to juggle an open book under my monitor. I found myself folding the book inside out and clipping it to hold it together. This allowed me to work competently through the projects

Summary
         If anyone wants to tap into their creative side and develop their own unique style, then this book is for you. The author includes traditional drawing and painting theory exercises accompanied by real-life projects to enhance the learning curve for using the applications and the tablet. In some cases this book is a bridge between two worlds allowing the digital artist to understand fine art and vice versa. If you have been a traditional artist, you will need basic exercises to learn how to manipulate the “digital brush”. Whatever the situation, this is a book that you will want to open again and again because the pages and illustrations are so beautiful.
         In conclusion, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the challenges it provided. I learned a lot about both applications and the Wacom tablet finding new ways to use them in my artwork. But alas, I will probably only ever dabble or play in the digital world of art because there is something tactile about putting down a wash of pure color on a rough sheet of watercolor paper and watch the two intermingle.

Overall rating   4/5
       
Mallards scanned then sketched with cross hatch brush/ My mixer palette

Reviewer: Linda McNeil is a Pa. media specialist. Linda teaches several online and classroom courses to adults/teachers for the PA Dept. of Education. Linda is also a professional artist and she maintains her own website (www.brushcolor.com) and several blogs. She is a member of MACS@PACS, MACBUS, MLMUG, National League of American Pen Women, TriState YA Review Committee, and other organizations.