Advantages: Makes complex masks a doodle, very easy to use, offeres great results.
Disadvantages: Not so good when it comes to creating selections with grayscale images, slight loss of quality in the selcetion when loaded up in a different programme.

...Creating masks for complex images dealing with transparencies, thin selections or shadows ( or in less techy terms trying to separate a part of an image from its background) can drive any graphic artist into the pits of despair. These things are usually incredibly time consuming and if your trying to get them down just right, it can very well be a process of trial and error until you find the technique that works best for that specific image and app. Luckily Corel decided to bless the digital artist with this godsend, under the form of Corel Knockout 1.5. And just over £200 it is an absolute essential buy. Here’s why: It works as a stand alone programme that you can use outside the regular image treatment software that you might use. In my case I have Photoshop which is not a problem since once you’ve completed an image... Read review

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Advantages: Affordable, massive range of tools, accepts many Photoshop plugins, easy to learn
Disadvantages: It's not Photoshop.

...I've been using Paint Shop Pro since around 1998/9, when PSP5 was out. Since then, it's been through many different upgrades, and I've learnt much about photo and image editing along the way. Until version 10, or Paint Shop Pro X to give it its proper title, the software was developed and sold by Jasc. From version 10 onwards, however, it has been part of the Corel family of software, alongside the likes of Corel Draw and, of late, Winzip. From version 11 onwards, the software gained the word 'Photo' in its title, becoming Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI. It's impossible to give a review that covers absolutely everything about a product like Paint Shop Pro. Certainly, I doubt there are many people in the world who could claim to use everything it has to offer confidently enough to give a worthwhile opinion. I'll try my best... Read review

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Advantages: Easy, graphical installation
Disadvantages: Not many programs bundled, lack of configuration tools

...Corel Linux has received some fairly good reviews, and was marketed as 'Linux for beginners'. Not being much of an expert myself, I tried installing it. The install went OK, with an impressive-looking graphical installation program. But once I actually got into using it, I was rather unimpressed. Although the supplied KDE window manager was easy to use, I was underwhelmed at the amount and scope of programs provided. It was the basics, and certainly nothing more. It also seemed to be missing most of the useful configuration tools you usually get, both graphical and command-line based. This is a bit of a blow to any user, especially a beginner like me. I don't want to be forced to edit configuration files manually in order to get my soundcard and modem to work, just because Corel can't be bothered to install a program... Read review

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Advantages: Wonderful paintings
Disadvantages: none

...Today, as I walked up Pall Mall, I could have easily walked into the National Gallery through a small entrance in The Sainsbury wing, (a part of the gallery). However, I wanted to walk further to see how the pigeons were surviving in Trafalgar Square, I can assure you they are fine. So a message to the mayor up-----------up –--------- and away. I don’t think so, the pigeons stay. Pigeon feeding is still allowed in front of the National Gallery, it is allowed although you may be told not to do it by the gallery staff. You are not allowed to feed the pigeons in the actual square but they are fed early in the morning each day. Nelson stood proudly as usual and children played in the cascade of water from the central fountain. Looking down, from the paved area in front of the gallery, the scene reminded me of a playground... Read review

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Advantages: Free Access, Central Location
Disadvantages: Not Open In Evenings

...The Millennium Galleries in Sheffield were recently created as part of the "Heart of the City" project, which is an ongoing rejuvenation project in Sheffield that is partly funded by National Lottery money. The Millennium Galleries opened in the Spring of 2001. They are situated right in the middle of Sheffield's City Centre, adjacent to the main Central Library Building. From the outside of the Building there is nothing to particularly indicate what you are likely to find inside. It is a modern Building constructed mainly of Glass and White Concrete, but the entrance is quite small and narrow, making it the sort of place that you could quite easily walk past. As you walk through the doors however you quickly realise that this is a very modern Building. The floors are Marble and the Ceilings are very high, creating a very... Read review

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Advantages: The Art! The Architecture! Fully accessible for all! Free entry!
Disadvantages: Very Tiring.

...The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool boasts one of the largest art collections in England. My 12 year old niece chose this as a venue for a day out in the school holidays. It had been some years since I visited previously and I had quite forgotton just how impressive it is. We had a lovely (and tiring) day and my niece returned home inspired. As you approach the gallery situated on William Brown Street, you are struck by the sheer grandeur of the gallery and its neighbouring buildings. William Brown street is the only street in Great Britain to contain nothing but than Museums, Galleries and Libraries. Directly outside the Walker Art Gallery is the grand Steble fountain , a circular stone basin with a bronze centrepiece depicting the four seasons – a good photo opportunity. The Walker Art Gallery has a neo-classical façade... Read review

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Advantages: Works by major British artists
Disadvantages: A little pricey

...Housing one of the finest collections of modern British art outside of London, Pallant House Gallery is situated in Chichester, close to the cathedral and main shopping centre. Coming myself from a larger city in which I am sure it would be difficult to see the work of a major artist, I was quite astounded to find the Pallant Gallery tucked away in a little side street, yet boasting the ownership of works by Richard Hamilton, Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, Eduardo Paolozzi and Frank Auerbach amongst others. This is a gem of a gallery, and it is no surprise that it was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year in 2007. At the time of my visit the gallery was holding a temporary exhibition (running until 8th June 2008) centring around Colin St John Wilson, a collector and architect, and another entitled The Artist at Work... Read review

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Advantages: A very improtant collection
Disadvantages: Honestly? A little dull at times

...I visited this place on my recent trip to Venice. For those of you who have been to the National Gallery in London, this place seems to be the Venetian equivalent; full of old masterpieces and religious art. It's not everyone's cup of tea, and whilst I appreciated the work I saw and admired its beauty, it is not the sort of thing that usually interests me. I am glad I saw it, as it is an important collection of work, but I found it difficult to get anything really valuble from the experience. Admission is 6.50 Euros, and the gallery is open from 8.15am until 7.15pm daily. It is open on most days but is closed on: 1sr Jan, 25th April, 1st May and 25th Dec. You can take small bags in with you, and there are lockers at the entrance where you can leave larger bags, as they are not allowed. Just ask someone at the desk if you are unsure... Read review

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Advantages: Free Entry, Good Exhibits
Disadvantages: On The Third Floor, Lifts Not Always Working

...The Graves Art Gallery is one of several Galleries in Sheffield that is owned by the City Council and because of this access is and always has been free. It is located right in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, above the City's Library on the third floor, just around the corner from one of the City's other Galleries, the Millennium Galleries. Together these two Galleries now form a part of the City's Tudor Square Cultural Complex. The Graves Art Gallery was founded in 1934 through the generosity of a local entrepreneur called Alderman J. G. Graves who donated his entire collection of Art to the local Council so that it would be displayed for future generations to see and enjoy. The collection that Grave's had amassed was an extensive one that stretched from 16th century Paintings right through to Modern Art from the present... Read review

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Advantages: Free
Disadvantages: Small collection

...York has a plethora of art galleries, mostly in private hands and some under municipal control. York art gallery, located in exhibition square, in the centre of York, is a York City Council owned gallery, and has recently been refurbished to the tune of nearly half a million pounds, from the heritage lottery fund and was reopened a couple of months ago by the city's Lord Mayor. The collection features works spanning 600 years from British and European art displayed in themed areas under the headings of people, places, stories, devotion, and morality. This is an interesting way of organising the works on display, and a seemingly increasing trend amongst gallery collections over recent decades, one that I first experienced at the Tate Modern in London. The Tate Modern were the first major collection in this country, to my knowledge... Read review

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