Artrage provides a user friendly interface. It is not very difficult to learn especially if you have experience with other software such as Photoshop. However this program is different in the fact that it has some built-in presets and tools that are better suited toward creating art that has a more organic and less digital or computerized look to it. It does a good job of replicating a realistic painting/drawing experience in a digital environment. I would recommend to definitely use a digital pen and tablet with this program versus a mouse to get the full overall experience.

The elegantly simple interface and the amazing simulations of natural media. The paradigm of this software is much different than other software products available. The tools are set up as simulations of a material (wax, oil paint, chalk, watercolor and so forth) and a substrate ( paper, canvas wood panel, etc). It is the relationship between the nature of the material and the kind of surface that it is being scrapped over ( thus behaving very naturally) that is the key. As an example if I draw with the pencil tool and follow with the basic pallet knife, the result will account for how bumpy the substrate is as well as the media being a dry powdery media. The resulting strokes will demonstrate this by 'acting' like a dry media ( not smearing in a liquid fashion and sticking here and there in the 'grain' of the substrate ). In contrast, if I begin with a heavily loaded oil brush with a low thinners value and high pressure, I will get a thick, buttery impasto stroke of 'paint' with highlights and shadows in the stroke that give it dimension. Now if I stroke over that with my same pallet knife, I will get a smear of paint that gradually thins out toward the end of the stroke and begins to, again, reveal a relationship with the substrate by falling off in obedience to the high and low points of the simulated 'grain' in the substrate. I really could go on and on about the elements of this software that I love, but I'll leave you with this. The first time I laid down a stroke of oil paint in one color and the crossed over that stroke with oil paint of another color, I was astonished at the way the beautiful, viscous, 'paint' blended together, smearing into a new color. I grabbed the pallet knife tool and just started playing. I laughed out loud in pleasure at the experience. The software, by its very nature, encourages play and experimentation. I should also mention that setting up a team of artists with this software is much more affordable than Adobe or Corel.

It's a simple software to use. The UI is pretty straightforward and makes it a fun experience. It gives you great control over your artwork. Professionals and beginners could use this easily.