Corel Painter Essentials for Windows

By Corel
Trial version
User Rating

Key Details of Corel Painter Essentials

Create stunning paintings using your own digital photos.
Last updated on February 29, 2024
There have been 4 updates
Also available on
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Editors' Review

Download.com staffFebruary 29, 2024

Corel Painter Essentials 4 is a slimmed-down version of Painter for home use, but don't let that fool you into thinking that the average home user will be disappointed. For those who like to play around with their photos, tweaking them artistically, Essentials provides a deep toolbox under its intuitive layout.

All the tool icons in the palette are large and easy to understand, there's nothing obscure or hard to remember here. Brush sizes and opacity can be adjusted at the top of the editing window using sliders, and while a few main brushes live on the main left-side toolbar, you can change those by accessing the Brush Drawer. The program features two workspaces, Drawing & Painting and Photo Painting. The first is a standard image-creation template, while the second lets you upload a photo and "paint" over it.

The Photo Painting was quite impressive. When you upload an image, you select which parts of it you want shown by using the same variety of paint tools available in the Drawing & Painting workspace. The choices are quite deep, too: you can choose to change the texture of the image by changing the paper, you can change the brush type and width, and even use different kinds of paints to change your staid photo into an Impressionist work of art.

What's new in version 6.0

Version 6.0 includes a wide array of new features, including a redesigned photo-painting workspace and Smart Stroke technology, and updated file formats, brush drawer, a mixer palette, tablet supports, and Magic Wand tool.

Corel Painter Essentials for Windows

By Corel
Trial version
User Rating

Explore More

Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 18, 2018

Latest update: February 29, 2024

Version: 6.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows 8
Windows 7

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 113,583

Downloads Last Week: 1

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User Reviews

4.3/5

13 User Votes

great with photo editing, not so good for creating
fetneOctober 24, 2011
Pros
The Photo Painting Section is superb. The video tutorial included let you learn easily how to use each of its features. The function autopainting takes your fotos and transforms them in artworks (you just have to choose style and tecqnique and possibly add some finishing touches). As an artist who works with oils I find this tool extremely helpful because i can make realistic studies and experiments before painting on canvas.
Cons
The drawing and painting section is a little disappointing. It may be fun for children but has a series of little flaws that make me unwilling to pay for it. For instance: I find that i cannot draw lines perfectly smooth (very important in ink drawings) and the thinnest line available is too thick for me. The bucket fill tool with the gradient option is a joke. There are only 5 gradients available and cannot be edited. The realism of the paint is pushed well beyond reality. I have discovered that white and pale colors in general cannot be used over dark or intense ones. To apply higlights (e.g. the white speck in the eye) I have to create a new layer and paint on it. Painting on a new layer means that i cannot smudge or blend the pale colors with the dark underneath. In other cases the problem is opposite. I can't understand why the pastel (a dry media) picks up the colors present on the canvas. One is never sure of the color one will get. Etc.
Summary
It has some very powerful and impressing features for foto editing but the drawing and painting section takes time to get used to. And it is satisfactory only if you have limited expectations.
Absolutely Astounding!
RatzkiJuly 5, 2010
Pros
Easy to use. Amazing results for the average computer user. 60 days free trial. I wanted to buy it immediately.
Cons
Nothing at all.
Summary
Once every few years I find software that just blows me away. Corel Painter Essential 4 is one such product. It takes ordinary photographs and makes them a work of art. You are always in control with simple, intuitive buttons. The video tutorials are easy to understand but Corel Painter is so simple to use you will be able to create, save and print something amazing in 15 minutes. If you can take a digital photograph with one click, you can master this software. Show your family and friends what a creative genius you are with cards and framed prints. I cannot praise Corel Painter Essentials 4 too highly.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Jul 5, 2010<p/>Start with "Auto Painting". Import a picture you like from your computer. Then just click on the Auto Painting button. Save the result as a jpeg to print or keep in My Pictures. You will want to try the other options and more complicated stuff later, but this easy start will get you going - and addicted.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Jul 5, 2010<p/>Start with "Auto Painting". Import a picture you like from your computer. Then just click on the Auto Painting button. Save the result as a jpeg to print or keep in My Pictures. You will want to try the other options and more complicated stuff later, but this easy start will get you going - and addicted.
auzanJuly 27, 2008
Pros
keren bgt
Cons
Mantap. I like this.
Summary
Easy to use
datadude2July 9, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
Slim yet Powerful
rob.ruizJune 23, 2008
Pros
The UI is superb! It may be a slimmed down version of Painter X, but all that you would need is practically included. Your creativity will just flow!
Cons
It is very addictive. hehe.
Summary
good
centsoftincFebruary 29, 2008
Pros
good
Cons
Summary
Amazing
Lad_funnymoneyJanuary 12, 2008
Pros
It was good
Cons
Summary
very good
brianjones13December 20, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
Fabulous
cmpegrahamDecember 9, 2007
Pros
There is nothing to not like. I did have to hop over to Adobe and download a new version of "Acrobat Reader" for the manual, but no big deal. EXCELLENT DOCUMENTATION, full featured product. Corel treated me like a queen when I had difficulty with their downloads. I think all we artist types should own this product.
Cons
Summary
aung
Aung min hein_2007November 28, 2007
Pros
min
Cons
hein
Summary

Developer's Description

Create stunning paintings using your own digital photos.

Corel Painter Essentials 6 is custom designed to inspire you to freely create blank canvas and photo art creations using award-winning Natural-Media brushes. As an intuitive paint program, Essentials offers a welcoming environment that will encourage you to have fun while using powerful and realistic art tools to reach your goals. Turn a photo into an amazing oil, pastel or impressionist work of art, or use pencils, pens or particles to paint, draw and sketch on a blank canvas.