When you consider the versatility of the creative tools and the multitask features that streamline production, Macromedia FreeHand MX is certainly part of the next generation of illustration software.

This is one of the best books on digital painting and character design that I have found. Most computer painting books deal with digital filters and special effects but this book is truly like taking a class in digital character painting with Photoshop CS.

Scott Kelby is your private instructor in this video DVD about the newest version of Adobe Photoshop Elements. With his easy and entertaining narrative style, Kelby introduces you to the new features in version 3 and some of the old favorites. This DVD is about two hours long and has 7 sections.

In a previous tutorial you learned how to add a monochromatic effect to a photograph. In this tutorial you will learn how to add text to a monochromatic styled scrapbook page. However, the same steps can be used to add text to any image or project with Paint Shop Pro 9.

One of the BellaOnline editors emailed me a few days ago and asked how to apply a monochromatic effect to a photograph using Photoshop CS. She had seen this effect used on a website and liked it so much she wanted to use the technique on images for her own website. It is a simple technique . . .

So how did these professional animators create a Flash website for their business? If you take a look at their website, www.aardman.com, you will notice that their site is built on some basic principles of web animation and Flash design.

Painting a gradient in Photoshop CS is as easy as using the Gradient tool and drawing a line with your mouse. You can paint a gradient on an entire layer or just part of a layer.

When it comes to creating graphics for the web, Macromedia Fireworks has been, and still is, one of the most popular imaging software. With the latest release, MX 2004, Fireworks has been updated and improved with many new features.

The real fun when designing your own fonts is drawing each individual letter and giving them a personality. But after you have a few font letters finished, you will realize that there is a method to the madness.

Anyone who works with fonts such as a web designer, digital artist, graphic designer or computer crafter knows how important the font or typeface is to the success of their artwork, website or craft project. There are 1000's of freeware and shareware fonts available so why make your own?