Expert: Andre Hickman - 5/26/2010

Question
Hi
I want to get a photoshop program to add some effects to my drawing. I'm not sure which type of phtotshop will work well for me with having no experiance with the program. I really just want to add color to the picture. I also dont want to spend over $100 for the program. what do you suggest?

Answer
Hey Stacy,

I'm not sure what other new programs are out there, but I suggest that for what you want to do that you definitely get your hands on a copy of THE Photoshop by Adobe.  You can find tons of tutorials on how to do what you are trying to do by searching "Photoshop tutorial add color to drawing" or some other variation of that search.  I've used less than professional art programs, but there is nothing like doing it right.  

Here are a few Photoshop Tutorials to get you started:

http://www.elfwood.com/farp/colorps/pcolorps.html
http://www.steeldolphin.com/htmltuts/digital_colorpart2.html
http://www.melissaclifton.com/tutorial-lineart.html


There is a similar program out called Paint Shop Pro that I believe is now owed by Corel, and another called Micrographx Picture Publisher...I haven't used them in over a decade, but it seems as though Corel acquired both companies and there software, and has been combining and building a software package to try to rival Adobe Photoshop.

You can try to find demos, etc. of the software, but it is highly unlikely that you will find any of them for under $100.  If you are a student, I would definitely be looking at Photoshop student version discounts.

Photoshop is really the industry standard, and is what a majority of the graphic art that you see is constructed with.  Right now you may think that all that you want to do is add some color, until you find out what the software is truly capable of...  ...then you'll start feigning to learn more to add creativity to your art!!!  Do some searches on "Photoshop Tutorials" and you'll see what I mean.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,
Andre