Painting by Karen Sperling based on a photograph by Cherie Steinberg.

Sometimes new Corel Painter users are too optimistic. They think they will be able to create masterpieces the moment they sit down and start using Corel Painter.

It's OK to be optimistic, except when it makes you feel discouraged when the reality that you will have to work at painting sets in.

To paint in Corel Painter, you need three things: art theories, software steps and practice. And pursuing all three takes time.

And it's not like you ever reach a point where you are done learning. I've been using Painter since I wrote the first manual over 20 years ago, and I always learn something new about Painter every time I use it. And every painting presents a new set of challenges.

So many people get discouraged because they can't create a great painting the first time they use Painter, or even the second or fifth.

Some blame the software, others blame themsevles.

But I can tell you from experience that it's just a matter of not getting discouraged and putting in the time to learn the art lessons and Painter steps and practicing. Eventually, you will be able to paint.

And the opposite is true, too--if you don't take the time to learn and practice, you probably won't be able to paint in Painter, though there are exceptions, but mainly those who are experienced artists with traditional tools. If you are a photographer interested in turning your photos into paintings in Corel Painter, then you will be creating better paintings sooner by taking the time to learn art theories and Painter steps and practicing.

The practice is up to you, but I can help with the art theories and Painter steps. All of my instructional materials on this website have both the art theories that have been passed down through the centuries and the Painter step-by-step instructions to get you painting, though not immediately, very soon after that.

So though it may seem like bad news that you won't be able to paint in Painter immediately, the good news is, you will be able to paint in Painter eventually. Never give up!