How to Fix the Artrage Frisket Problem

First off, the stencils option in Artrage includes these little french curves or friskets, and if you've played around with one, you would notice it doesn't give much of a real 'frisket' feel, as the tool you are using does not 'stick' to the sides the way you expect it to. The rulers and guides do have that feature and if you select one, you will notice that the ruler or guide has a different color. The rulers, guides, and friskets are color-coded so you will know which mode they are in. The friskets are by default in 'stencil mode' as are the stencils, and basically in that mode coloring on them is like using an airbrush or one of those blo-pen and stencil packages you can find in the kids' art sections at some stores. If you want to use the friskets as guides where the pencil or other tool 'sticks' onto them, then right-click on your frisket and a menu will pop up. Select 'ruler mode' or 'guide mode' and you will be all set.

The main differences between ruler and guide mode are: in ruler mode, the paint stays inside the area where the cursor is painting, and in guide mode, the paint can go under the guide line. In a way, with ruler mode the object is placed on the surface, while in guide mode the object is raised so the paint can go under it instead of being flattened. Which mode you use is up to you. For a loose, spray-painted effect, use stencil mode, for guided but natural-looking lines use guide mode, and for crisp, sharp lines use ruler mode.

Now you can use the friskets the way they were intended: for making precise lines perfect for eyebrows, limbs, etc. If your hand is too unsteady for those crisp lines that you see in comics and manga, you can count on the Artrage friskets to keep your lines nice and smooth. Play around with the menu items some more, and even see what you can do with the pins and some of the other features. Above all, read and study the manual that comes with every copy of Artrage - it will save you a lot of time and frustration.