Photo-Art

Hello,
I am looking for a program that will create photo-art yet allow me to have a good bit of control over how it looks if I want to. I have tried Topaz simplify and wasn't fussy about it, I also tried DAP and liked it but wanted to have more control than what it offers. The auto nature of a painting program is appealing but I want to control the strokes, intensity, direction etc if possible. On my website I tried using PS CS2 and perhaps this is the way I will have to go, however, I am not a painter just an amateur photographer.
If anyone is using software that will allow you to do what I have stated above, please let me know. I find PS difficult to use with a steep learning curve and if I am away from it for a while I need to relearn it all over again. Any and all help is appreciated especially from those who have already gone through what I am attempting to do. Thank you.

I've only played with them briefly, but Alien Skin Snap Art seems to have more control than Topaz Simplify.

I have Topaz Simplify and like it for some stuff, but you're right - it doesn't seem to lend itself to lots of tinkering. I also have Topaz Adjust, and actually find it much better - lots more options to start with, and lots of ability for individual adjustment.

I just ordered Corel's Painter 11, http://www.corel.com …166553885783#ta​bview=tab0
Lots of tutorials out there.

http://www.fotosketche​r.com/

Lots of controls. Lots of styles. Free too.

Possibly AKVIS Sketch. IIRC it does allow you to control the brush stokes but not 100% certain.

chauncey wrote in post #11664446
I just ordered Corel's Painter 11, http://www.corel.com …166553885783#ta​bview=tab0
Lots of tutorials out there.

If you want to do it right to begin with and produce the best results, go with Chauncey's advice. You can go with funky little programs and plugins and get funky results, or you can go with a professional program and get pro results. Yes, it has a bit more of a learning curve than learning to push automatic buttons on an app, but again, gets better results.

Btw just discovered Dynamic Auto Painter. Pretty impressive results.

http://www.mediachance​.com/dap/index.html