Karen Bonaker, Guest Contributor

Karen Bonaker is an About Graphics Software contributing writer for Corel Painter and Corel Painter Essentials.

From Karen Bonaker:
Emulating the rich natural media experience via the Digital World is what I try to achieve in my paintings. I consider my work impressionistic with an emphasis on color, texture and design.

Before I began to paint digitally nine years ago, I studied watercolor, oils and mixed media painting at my local college in Aptos, California for many years. I now apply those wonderful effects and techniques to the digital canvas.

I began to paint at a very young age and enjoyed sketching and painting animals, trying to find the unique personality in my subjects. I discovered the software program "Painter" nine years ago and have, since then, enjoyed creating images using a Wacom tablet and stylus. The same principles can be applied to painting digitally as in traditional media painting. The technique of "painting with digital light" enables me to express skills that are both traditional and state-of-the-art.

When I am not painting, I instruct several digital art and Corel Painter classes via an online course offered by LVS Online and Eclectic Academy. I enjoy seeing new, emerging talent take to wing and fly.

My work is shown locally and one of my Giclées was chosen for exhibition at the New York Digital Art Expo. I also offer a line of greeting cards. Many of my canvases are original signed Hand-embellished Giclées.

Corel Painter Tutorials by Karen Bonaker:
• Creating a Custom Workspace Palette in Corel Painter X
• Painting a Photo with the New Match Palette Effect in Painter X
• Easter Egg and Chicks With Corel Painter
• Tinting a Pencil Sketch with Corel Painter
• Understanding the New RealBristle Painting System in Corel Painter X

Corel Painter Essentials Tutorials by Karen Bonaker:
• Creative Painting with Corel Painter Essentials 3