Essentials Cafe

 Does it just depend on the medium? Like the watercolor brushes show the original drawing underneath very well, but the pastel brushes immediately hide the original lines. Do I have to save the original as a layer first, in that case, to preserve the original work? I hate layers!

 Or maybe there is something else at work here, like if I used pastel at a lower opacity? Even using watercolor at 100% it saves the lines underneath, though.

 
Also, does anybody have a favorite in the watercolor brushes?
 

You're using Painter Essentials 3, right?

In Painter Essentials 3 you can create a 'clone' of you original image (on the File menu).  What this does is it creates a new file and uses your original image as the 'source'.  Then you can use Tracing paper (on the Canvas menu) to see your original document and paint away.  If you want to paint over the original image, create a copy of your image to preserve the original, then play with the different brush opacities to get the effect you're looking for when you paint over the copy. 

I am curious, what is it about layers that you don't like? Is there a problem with the design or implementation that is making you not like them?

Thanks
Jennifer
 

 Jennifer, I'm on deadline now, trying to figure out layers in CE 3! I don't understand the layers - I'm used to a watered down version of PS. I can see the layer palette. For some reason, the first layer is completely invisible as I paint on it - only shows in thumbnail. (eye is open) 2nd layer is fine. But I don't see where to combine them. Also, I read that transparency is available only in its own format, not in jpg? I can only use jpgs for publication. Thanks for any help.

So, just so I understand, you are using PE3, is that correct? And you are painting on the "Canvas" layer, but are not seeing "strokes" on your image as you paint, but you are seeing them in that layer thumbnail?

 To combine the layers, in the bottom left-hand corner of the Layers Palette you will see a "Layer Commands" button, if you click on it a menu will drop-down. On that menu, you will see a "Drop" command. That will take your currently active layer and combine it with your "Canvas" layer.

As for transparency on a layer, you are correct, the only file formats that support layer transparency from PE3 are RIFF and PSD. Saving it to a JPG file from PE3 will "flatten" your layers to the canvas.

I hope that helps,
Jennifer