SHERMAN OAKS, CA -- July 21, 2003 -- Renowned artist and author Karen Sperling has announced the date and location of her next Corel Painter 8 Retreat. Karen Sperling's Painter classes have become known as an excellent learning ground for photographers, artists, graphic designers and graphic arts service providers to learn how to quickly and easily use Corel Painter to attract new customer bases and generate exciting new revenue streams. Sperling announced today that the Artistry Corel Painter 8 Retreat will be held Monday, September 8, 2003 through Friday, September 12, 2003 in Tacoma, Washington. For more information, go to www.artistrymag.com. Turning Photos into Paintings... Karen Sperling, who wrote the original manual for Painter version 1.0 and has taught the software to digital artists since 1991, will lead the learning experience herself. The seminar will focus upon art techniques and Painter tools that allow students to become near-experts in converting common photographic portraits and landscapes into true and valued paintings, and not just photos with brush strokes. In addition to enjoying the process from an artistic standpoint, many portrait photographers have found transforming photos into paintings to be financially rewarding, as clients revere the look and added-value of "paintered" portraits. And yet, attendees don't have to have an art background to take this course and become efficient with Painter, nor is the course limited to professional photographers. Sperling does require a laptop computer, a portable digital camera and a fresh outlook to experience something new and exciting. What Attendees will Learn... Just some of the topics covered in the course will include: -- The Right Stuff: Attendees will be shown what makes a photo a good candidate for the basis of a painting and how to fix it in Painter if it's not; -- Painter's A-list Brushes: Students will learn which brushes are Painter's star performers as they turn photos into watercolors, oils, gouaches, chalks and other natural media; -- A Little Art Knowledge: Each attendee will be introduced to art concepts such as values, composition and colors and how the related Painter tools can vastly improve paintings; -- Painter Secrets: Attendees will be shown Karen Sperling's Painter secrets, developed over 12 years of demonstrating, teaching, writing about and using Painter. About the Seminar... The class will cover both landscape and portrait painting. And attendees will spend time both inside and outside of the classroom -- taking pictures outside, and going over Painter techniques in the classroom. Attendees don't have to have an art background to take this course. All the information needed will be part of the seminar. Corel Painter 8 is the latest version of Painter and will be the version covered during the Artistry Painter retreat. Class-goers may purchase Painter 8 through Artistry prior to the retreat.