How to Create a Satin Ribbon in Corel

Create satin texture with Corel.

You can easily draw a ribbon and paint it with a satin texture using Corel software. Corel Paint offers many different brushes, each with softness and density controls, along with a digital color palette. You can use blending and shading options to create the illusion of texture and depth. Corel's Layering capability provides powerful masking and blending options. Draw simple lines, create masks and use gradient options to create an elegant satin look. Airbrushing a few details will complete your satin ribbon.

Instructions

1. Open Corel Painter and choose "File" from the Menu bar and "New" from the pull-down menu. A "New File" option window opens.

2. Type "720" in the "Horizontal" pixel select window. Type "480" in the "Vertical" pixel select window. Click on the "Paper Color" window and choose a creamy, off-white color from the color wheel. Click "OK" to exit the "Color Select" window and "OK" again to view your new file.

3. Select the "Brush" icon from the "Tools" window. Select "Window" from the Menu bar, then select "Show Brush Creator" from the pull-down menu. Click on the "Brush Option" window and select "Calligraphy" from the pull-down menu. Type "16" in the "Size" select window in the Menu Bar.

4. 

   S-Shaped Curves

   Use your stylus and draw a horizontal stretched out "S" curve line. Start the line one inch from the left border and end one inch from the right border. Draw a parallel curving line below it. Offset the lower curve slightly from the upper curve. Connect the upper and lower curves with a diagonal line at each end.

5. Click on the "Gradient Select" button at the bottom of the "Tools" window. Choose "Blue Violet Tint" from the preset pull-down choices.

6. Click on the "Magic Wand" icon in the "Tools" window. Click anywhere on the cream-colored background. A segmented perimeter line appears. Choose "Select" from the Menu bar and then "Invert" from the pull-down menu.

7. Click on the "Bucket" icon in the "Tools" window. Click on the "Blue Violet Tint" gradient square on the Menu Bar. The pull-down "Gradient Select" window appears. Click on the arrow at the top right of the window. Select "Launch Palette." A "Gradient Palette" window appears. Choose the "Circular" option from the four patterns available. Select the "Left to Right" option from the bottom row of patterns.

8. Place the "Bucket" icon at the center point of the ribbon. Click on the screen. The ribbon is filled with the gradient. The drawn outlines disappear.

9. Select the "Brush Tool" from the "Tools" window. Choose "Airbrushes" from the "Brush Creator" window's pull-down menu. Type "16" in the "Size" option window on the Menu bar. Choose the "Eye Dropper" icon from the "Tools" window. Click on the lightest part of your ribbon.

10. 

    Red Satin Ribbon

    Find a mid-tone area in your ribbon gradation. Lightly brush across the ribbon using a diagonal stroke. Stroke parallel to the ribbon's edge. Repeat until you are satisfied with the satin-like texture of the image.

11. Save your image as a JPEG or TIFF file.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the "Effects" and "Surface Control" menus to further manipulate the shape of the ribbon.

• Save your work as you go. Otherwise, if the computer locks up or crashes, you will lose your work.

References

• "Corel Painter IX Users Manual"; Corel Corporation; 2004
• "Bold Visions: A Digital Painting Bible"; Gary Tonge; 2008

Resources

• CreativePro.com: Graphics