Best painting software?

[May]

I dont want it for game design, more just art purposes.
Ive looked at a few but they all seem to have very compicated layouts; Im after a more simpler program like Windows Fresh Paint....
Any suggestions?

[CinthyaBunny]

The best ones have complicated layouts for a reason. Adobe Photoshop is considered one of the best. Complicated = usually good/high quality

[May]

I understand that but I feel it takes the focus away from just painting... I dont need heaps of fancy effects and photo editing tools, just paint, pencil...

[CinthyaBunny]

If you are learning then it doesn't hurt to use those, it is a good learning tool to use less complex, cheap programs.

[Stoowox]

ArtRage, it comes with most Wacom tablets. And I hope you have a Wacom tablet, you need it.
But I use Clip Studio Paint (it's basically Manga Studio that was renamed).

Rebelle was kinda cool too, but my style is more cartoon so I need a software with vector-based options. http://www.escapemotions.com/products/rebelle/index.php

[username12121]

I don't know what Windows fresh paint is like, but have you tried paint.net ?

Edit..sorry this seems to have made a link to some other paint website, but it's easy to google it

Edit # 2 http://www.getpaint.net/download.html

there we go

[duKe]

Haven't used it myself, so I can't say anything about the interface, but I've heard good things about ArtRage. It's designed for painting natural looking images, and doesn't cost much (compared to Photoshop anyway).

[May]

I want a program that will let me play with paint when im not at home using actual paints. I dont want to edit photos or make chaacters that are 3d ... I just want to use say 3 - 10 different brushes with realist paint effects.... Im not looking to learn about digital media (nothing against it)

# I looked at ArtRage... was one Im considering just unsure if it was more digital effects focused

[Dark|»♦«|Knight]

Honestly as suggested your best bet is Photoshop. It has a range of tools and is great for all round design, illustration and digital effects. You literally google "Free PS Brushes" and you get tons, 100's even, of results. I have a set of brushes that make cloud effects...
You literally can do most things with photoshop and it isn't hard to master either if you're only wanting it for digital effects.

ArtRage is also amazing as already suggested, I tend to use both together, start in art rage and then add extra effects in Photoshop.

Also noted: If the layout scares you, you can change it to become less intimidating. Or just press TAB and it will disappear :)

[May]

Thanks for all your input, have bought ArtRage and am very happy so far! Realistic paint without the hastle of digitally creating the effect.

[Stoowox]

Nice, have fun !

[僕の名前 (仮)]

I haven't tried it yet but I've heard Krita is good, better than Photoshop in some aspects.

The problem with photoshop after all these ages it still dont have basic functions for painting, such as symmetry or lazymouse, they're still pushing it "for photo editing", even though everyone know 1% use it for photos and 99% use it in other fields (paint, web design, and gamedev)

[May]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย SomeGuy:

I haven't tried it yet but I've heard Krita is good, better than Photoshop in some aspects.

The problem with photoshop after all these ages it still dont have basic functions for painting, such as symmetry or lazymouse, they're still pushing it "for photo editing", even though everyone know 1% use it for photos and 99% use it in other fields (paint, web design, and gamedev)

Thats exactly what I hate about photoshop: I feel basic paint is a must! its fine for photo and other editing.... but i need these fetures the least personally...
I have Krita - downloaded straight from their website: its good, very much like photoshop but it does have the painting aspects photoshop misses. Definately worth checking out as its still a free program...
:)