- Welcome to Digitoils 101 -
by Al Dawson

A basic technique tutorial for electronic painting using Paint Shop Pro ver3.12 and 4.0+. I use ver 3.12 because of the push brush tool and ver 4.0 because of the enhanced effects tools. I invite you to join in and follow the step by step instructions to create your own painting as I create this one.

This posting will finish up the painting I started weeks ago. The series will remain available in ZIP files for download while I work on the next tutorial.

Paint Shop Pro version 3.12
JASC still sells this version. You can also download ver3.11 (shareware)

Load up Paint Shop Pro 3.12
I have both versions loaded at the same time.

Step 1

Block out areas of color for sky.

In a 300 x 300 x 24 mil white window, fill it with color Hue-140, Sat-240,Lum-120.

Then draw a solid rectangle with color 131,237,190.

Step 2

With the push brush (Size-32, Strength-10, Style-Horizontal) push the light blue into the darker blue with up/down strokes as you move the brush side to side.

A gradual build-up is the key.

Step 3

Stop. Now push the blended blue upwards into the darker blue using same settings and stokes.

How quickly you move left and right as you push up and down will determine how much of a mottled effect you'll achieve. That is why the setting must be weak.

Step 4

Stop. Push darker blue into blended blue with same settings and strokes.

Again, play with the settings to find your preference.

Step 5

Now push the blended blue into the light blue and use the smooth tool (Size-32, Strength-50, Style-round) in a large steady circular motion.

Step back and take a look. You should begin to see clouds forming. Just go with what you see.

Step 6

With the spray brush set to Size-10, Flow-10, Opacity-12, spray white in tight circular motions to form the tops of the clouds.

Step 7

Set the push brush to 12,10,round and grab the base of the white and push with a quick circular motion.

This defines the shadow areas of the clouds. Be very free-form with your strokes.

Step 8

Spray more white (10,10,12) to define the tops of more clouds.

Step 9

Grab and push the bases of these clouds just like the first.

Now set the push brush to (2,12,round) and push the bright outer edges of the clouds with tight, short circular motions. This makes the clouds look distant and wind blown.