<a name="1008475"> </a>Many of the Corel Painter pre-built brushes (known as brush variants) are digital equivalents of real-life brushes you might already use. Others let you create imagery that isn't possible with real-life tools.
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<p id="998946" class="Body">
<a name="998946"> </a>Corel Painter features "computed" brushes that create smooth, continuous strokes. Use these brushes to apply color, brush on gradients, or paint with patterns. For more information about computed brushes, refer to <a href="06-Painting4.html#999102">"Using Computed Brushes"</a>.
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<p id="998954" class="Body">
<a name="998954"> </a>Corel Painter brushes can be changed in many ways to create the look you desire. For example, you can start with a pencil, then change the settings until it works like an airbrush. You can also modify an oil pastel to create a pastel brush, or make a leaky pen act like a camel hair brush. Suddenly, the art store has unlimited aisles and floors, giving you the freedom to create whatever you imagine. For more information about using controls to customize brushes, refer to <a href="10-Brushes3.html#1005040">"Customizing Brushes"</a>.
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<a name="1008522"> </a>The result of any single mark or stroke you make with a Corel Painter drawing tool depends on:
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<ul>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="1019652"> </a>the brush category (or drawing tool) you choose. Refer to <a href="06-Painting4.html#999026">"Brush Categories"</a> for more information.</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="998966"> </a>which brush variant is selected within the brush category. Refer to <a href="06-Painting6.html#999132">"Selecting a Brush"</a> for more information about selecting a specific brush variant.</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="998970"> </a>controls such as brush size, opacity, and how much color penetrates paper texture. Refer to <a href="06-Painting7.html#1007955">"Brush Settings"</a> for more information.</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="998974"> </a>the current paper texture. Refer to <a href="04-Textures3.html#1008723">"Choosing Paper Textures"</a> for more information about selecting paper.</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="998978"> </a>the color, gradient, or pattern you select to use as media. Refer to <a href="06-Painting10.html#999177">"Painting with Color"</a> and <a href="06-Painting11.html#999276">"Painting with Gradients and Patterns"</a> for more information about choosing media to apply.</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="1008538"> </a>the brush method. Refer to <a href="10-Brushes8.html#1012355">"Methods and Subcategories"</a>.</li>
