[Figure 7.8] Use of chain pattern in a drawing — final image.

        8.          I use this same technique for wires, Spiderman’s webs, rope, and fabric design — and, of course, all of Spawn’s chains. The applications really are unlimited! You can see how I use my custom chain pattern in a drawing in Figure 7.8.

Draw a sketch mark, make it into a Custom Pattern Brush, and then draw something with it — your marks will be unique. It’s almost like creating an entirely new drawing tool.

[Figure 7.9] Use traditional art tools to make marks on paper.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating Natural Pattern Pens
The key to a unique painting is the type of marks made on the canvas. I use Pattern Pens to create natural looks — perhaps even more realistic than Painter’s own built-in brushes. With the following technique, you will have a method for creating all types of marks and making them your own.

         1.          I start by making two pages of marks using traditional watercolor paints on paper, and then I scan them onto my computer. I save them in PSD format. In Figure 7.9, I open them both in Painter.

[Figure 7.10] Use the Rectangular Selection tool to capture the marks individually.

         2.          I decide to capture these brushes a bit differently from my chain pattern because I will be using them as brushes to paint with. I use the Rectangular Selection tool to select around one of my brush shapes. There is no need to use layers. See Figure 7.10.

[Figure 7.11] Select Capture Pattern.

         3.          Now I follow the same steps as outlined in the preceding technique, “Create a Pattern Brush,” to capture and name my pattern. See Figure 7.11.

[Figure 7.12] Select any color and make traditional-looking marks — final image.

        4.         Figure 7.12 shows a sampling of four of my brushstrokes. I apply them with the Pattern Pens, Pattern Pen Masked Brush. I am able to pick any colors I like to draw with, and the marks look really natural. I use them to add an even more natural feel to my paintings by either adding them throughout my working process or touching up a painting with them.

You can design long texture brushes in Painter that curve convincingly, as opposed to in Photoshop, where the stroke doesn't curve as well and ends up looking like rectangles of the image you used to make the brush.