diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b1de2d59..ea6ba112 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -174,6 +174,10 @@ xlims!{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::Tuple{T,S}) = plot!(xlims = lims)
 ylims!{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::Tuple{T,S}) = plot!(ylims = lims)
 xticks!{T<:Real}(v::AVec{T})              = plot!(xticks = v)
 yticks!{T<:Real}(v::AVec{T})              = plot!(yticks = v)
+xflip!(flip::Bool = true)                 = plot!(xflip = flip)
+yflip!(flip::Bool = true)                 = plot!(yflip = flip)
+xaxis!(args...)                           = plot!(xaxis = args)
+yaxis!(args...)                           = plot!(yaxis = args)
 annotate!(anns)                           = plot!(annotation = anns)
 ```
 
@@ -278,11 +282,25 @@ Type | Aliases
 
 __Tip__: You can see the default value for a given argument with `default(arg::Symbol)`, and set the default value with `default(arg::Symbol, value)` or `default(; kw...)`.  For example set the default window size and whether we should show a legend with `default(size=(600,400), leg=false)`.
 
-__Tip__: When plotting multiple lines, you can set all series to use the same value, or pass in an array to cycle through values.  Example:
+__Tip__: There are some helper arguments you can set:  `xaxis`, `yaxis`, `line`, `marker`, `fill`.  These go through special preprocessing to extract values into individual arguments.  The order doesn't matter, and if you pass a single value it's equivalent to wrapping it in a Tuple.  Examples:
+
+```
+plot(y, xaxis = ("mylabel", :log, :flip, (-1,1)))   # this sets the `xlabel`, `xscale`, `xflip`, and `xlims` arguments automatically
+plot(y, line = (:bar, :blue, :dot, 10))             # this sets the `linetype`, `color`, `linestyle`, and `linewidth` arguments automatically
+plot(y, marker = (:rect, :red, 10))                 # this sets the `markershape`, `markercolor`, and `markersize` arguments automatically
+plot(y, fill = (:green, 10))                        # this sets the `fillcolor` and `fillrange` arguments automatically
+                                                    # Note: `fillrange` can be:
+                                                              a number (fill to horizontal line)
+                                                              a vector of numbers (different for each data point)
+                                                              a tuple of vectors (fill a band)
+```
+
+__Tip__: When plotting multiple lines, you can set all series to use the same value, or pass in a matrix to cycle through values.  Example:
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(100,4); color = [:red, RGB(0,0,1)],    # lines 1 and 3 are red, lines 2 and 4 are blue
+plot(rand(100,4); color = [:red RGB(0,0,1)],     # (Matrix) lines 1 and 3 are red, lines 2 and 4 are blue
                   axis = :auto,                  # lines 1 and 3 are on the left axis, lines 2 and 4 are on the right
+                  markershape = [:rect, :star1]  # (Vector) ALL lines are passed the vector [:rect, :star1]
                   width = 5)                     # all lines have a width of 5
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/readme_template.md b/docs/readme_template.md
index b6b11889..4db4c08b 100644
--- a/docs/readme_template.md
+++ b/docs/readme_template.md
@@ -174,6 +174,10 @@ xlims!{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::Tuple{T,S}) = plot!(xlims = lims)
 ylims!{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::Tuple{T,S}) = plot!(ylims = lims)
 xticks!{T<:Real}(v::AVec{T})              = plot!(xticks = v)
 yticks!{T<:Real}(v::AVec{T})              = plot!(yticks = v)
+xflip!(flip::Bool = true)                 = plot!(xflip = flip)
+yflip!(flip::Bool = true)                 = plot!(yflip = flip)
+xaxis!(args...)                           = plot!(xaxis = args)
+yaxis!(args...)                           = plot!(yaxis = args)
 annotate!(anns)                           = plot!(annotation = anns)
 ```
 
@@ -196,11 +200,25 @@ Markers:
 
 __Tip__: You can see the default value for a given argument with `default(arg::Symbol)`, and set the default value with `default(arg::Symbol, value)` or `default(; kw...)`.  For example set the default window size and whether we should show a legend with `default(size=(600,400), leg=false)`.
 
-__Tip__: When plotting multiple lines, you can set all series to use the same value, or pass in an array to cycle through values.  Example:
+__Tip__: There are some helper arguments you can set:  `xaxis`, `yaxis`, `line`, `marker`, `fill`.  These go through special preprocessing to extract values into individual arguments.  The order doesn't matter, and if you pass a single value it's equivalent to wrapping it in a Tuple.  Examples:
+
+```
+plot(y, xaxis = ("mylabel", :log, :flip, (-1,1)))   # this sets the `xlabel`, `xscale`, `xflip`, and `xlims` arguments automatically
+plot(y, line = (:bar, :blue, :dot, 10))             # this sets the `linetype`, `color`, `linestyle`, and `linewidth` arguments automatically
+plot(y, marker = (:rect, :red, 10))                 # this sets the `markershape`, `markercolor`, and `markersize` arguments automatically
+plot(y, fill = (:green, 10))                        # this sets the `fillcolor` and `fillrange` arguments automatically
+                                                    # Note: `fillrange` can be:
+                                                              a number (fill to horizontal line)
+                                                              a vector of numbers (different for each data point)
+                                                              a tuple of vectors (fill a band)
+```
+
+__Tip__: When plotting multiple lines, you can set all series to use the same value, or pass in a matrix to cycle through values.  Example:
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(100,4); color = [:red, RGB(0,0,1)],    # lines 1 and 3 are red, lines 2 and 4 are blue
+plot(rand(100,4); color = [:red RGB(0,0,1)],     # (Matrix) lines 1 and 3 are red, lines 2 and 4 are blue
                   axis = :auto,                  # lines 1 and 3 are on the left axis, lines 2 and 4 are on the right
+                  markershape = [:rect, :star1]  # (Vector) ALL lines are passed the vector [:rect, :star1]
                   width = 5)                     # all lines have a width of 5
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/winston_examples.md b/docs/winston_examples.md
index 1ca80f7a..e31cb39c 100644
--- a/docs/winston_examples.md
+++ b/docs/winston_examples.md
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # Examples for backend: winston
 
-- Supported arguments: `annotation`, `color`, `fillto`, `group`, `label`, `legend`, `linestyle`, `linetype`, `marker`, `markercolor`, `markersize`, `nbins`, `reg`, `show`, `size`, `title`, `width`, `windowtitle`, `x`, `xlabel`, `y`, `ylabel`
+- Supported arguments: `annotation`, `color`, `color_palette`, `fillrange`, `fillcolor`, `group`, `label`, `legend`, `linestyle`, `linetype`, `linewidth`, `markershape`, `markercolor`, `markersize`, `nbins`, `reg`, `show`, `size`, `title`, `windowtitle`, `x`, `xlabel`, `xlims`, `y`, `ylabel`, `ylims`, `xscale`, `yscale`
 - Supported values for axis: `:auto`, `:left`
 - Supported values for linetype: `:none`, `:line`, `:path`, `:sticks`, `:scatter`, `:hist`, `:bar`
-- Supported values for linestyle: `:solid`, `:dash`, `:dot`, `:dashdot`
-- Supported values for marker: `:none`, `:ellipse`, `:rect`, `:diamond`, `:utriangle`, `:dtriangle`, `:cross`, `:xcross`, `:star1`
+- Supported values for linestyle: `:auto`, `:solid`, `:dash`, `:dot`, `:dashdot`
+- Supported values for marker: `:none`, `:auto`, `:rect`, `:ellipse`, `:diamond`, `:utriangle`, `:dtriangle`, `:cross`, `:xcross`, `:star1`
 - Is `subplot`/`subplot!` supported? No
 
 ### Initialize
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ winston()
 A simple line plot of the columns.
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(50,5),w=3)
+plot(fakedata(50,5),w=3)
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_1.png)
 
 ### Functions
 
-Plot multiple functions.  You can also put the function first.
+Plot multiple functions.  You can also put the function first, or use the form `plot(f, xmin, xmax)` where f is a Function or AbstractVector{Function}.
 
 ```julia
 plot(0:0.01:4π,[sin,cos])
@@ -36,32 +36,34 @@ plot(0:0.01:4π,[sin,cos])
 
 ### 
 
-You can also call it with plot(f, xmin, xmax).
+Or make a parametric plot (i.e. plot: (fx(u), fy(u))) with plot(fx, fy, umin, umax).
 
 ```julia
-plot([sin,cos],0,4π)
+plot(sin,(x->begin  # /home/tom/.julia/v0.4/Plots/docs/example_generation.jl, line 39:
+            sin(2x)
+        end),0,2π,line=4,leg=false,fill=(0,:orange))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_3.png)
 
-### 
+### Colors
 
-Or make a parametric plot (i.e. plot: (fx(u), fy(u))) with plot(fx, fy, umin, umax).
+Access predefined palettes (or build your own with the `colorscheme` method).  Line/marker colors are auto-generated from the plot's palette, unless overridden.  Set the `z` argument to turn on series gradients.
 
 ```julia
-plot(sin,(x->begin  # /home/tom/.julia/v0.4/Plots/docs/example_generation.jl, line 33:
-            sin(2x)
-        end),0,2π,legend=false,fillto=0)
+y = rand(100)
+plot(0:10:100,rand(11,4),lab="lines",w=3,palette=:grays,fill=(0.5,:auto))
+scatter!(y,z=abs(y - 0.5),m=(10,:heat),lab="grad")
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_4.png)
 
 ### Global
 
-Change the guides/background/limits/ticks.  You can also use shorthand functions: `title!`, `xlabel!`, `ylabel!`, `xlims!`, `ylims!`, `xticks!`, `yticks!`
+Change the guides/background/limits/ticks.  Convenience args `xaxis` and `yaxis` allow you to pass a tuple or value which will be mapped to the relevant args automatically.  The `xaxis` below will be replaced with `xlabel` and `xlims` args automatically during the preprocessing step. You can also use shorthand functions: `title!`, `xaxis!`, `yaxis!`, `xlabel!`, `ylabel!`, `xlims!`, `ylims!`, `xticks!`, `yticks!`
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(10),title="TITLE",xlabel="XLABEL",ylabel="YLABEL",background_color=RGB(0.2,0.2,0.2),xlim=(-3,13),yticks=0:0.1:1)
+plot(rand(20,3),title="TITLE",xaxis=("XLABEL",(-5,30),0:2:20,:flip),yaxis=("YLABEL",:log10),background_color=RGB(0.2,0.2,0.2),leg=false)
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_5.png)
@@ -73,17 +75,17 @@ Use the `axis` arguments.
 Note: Currently only supported with Qwt and PyPlot
 
 ```julia
-plot(Vector[randn(100),randn(100) * 100]; axis=[:l,:r],ylabel="LEFT",yrightlabel="RIGHT")
+plot(Vector[randn(100),randn(100) * 100]; axis=[:l :r],ylabel="LEFT",yrightlabel="RIGHT")
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_6.png)
 
-### Vectors w/ pluralized args
+### Arguments
 
-Plot multiple series with different numbers of points.  Mix arguments that apply to all series (singular... see `marker`) with arguments unique to each series (pluralized... see `colors`).
+Plot multiple series with different numbers of points.  Mix arguments that apply to all series (marker/markersize) with arguments unique to each series (colors).  Special arguments `line`, `marker`, and `fill` will automatically figure out what arguments to set (for example, we are setting the `linestyle`, `linewidth`, and `color` arguments with `line`.)  Note that we pass a matrix of colors, and this applies the colors to each series.
 
 ```julia
-plot(Vector[rand(10),rand(20)]; marker=:ellipse,markersize=8,c=[:red,:blue])
+plot(Vector[rand(10),rand(20)]; marker=(:ellipse,8),line=(:dot,3,[:black :orange]))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_7.png)
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ plot(Vector[rand(10),rand(20)]; marker=:ellipse,markersize=8,c=[:red,:blue])
 Start with a base plot...
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(100) / 3,reg=true,fillto=0)
+plot(rand(100) / 3,reg=true,fill=(0,:green))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_8.png)
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@ plot(rand(100) / 3,reg=true,fillto=0)
 and add to it later.
 
 ```julia
-scatter!(rand(100),markersize=6,c=:blue)
+scatter!(rand(100),markersize=6,c=:orange)
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_9.png)
@@ -113,11 +115,11 @@ scatter!(rand(100),markersize=6,c=:blue)
 
 
 ```julia
-types = intersect(supportedTypes(),[:line,:path,:steppre,:steppost,:sticks,:scatter])
+types = intersect(supportedTypes(),[:line,:path,:steppre,:steppost,:sticks,:scatter])'
 n = length(types)
 x = Vector[sort(rand(20)) for i = 1:n]
 y = rand(20,n)
-plot(x,y,t=types,lab=map(string,types))
+plot(x,y,line=(types,3),lab=map(string,types),ms=15)
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_11.png)
@@ -127,7 +129,7 @@ plot(x,y,t=types,lab=map(string,types))
 
 
 ```julia
-styles = setdiff(supportedStyles(),[:auto])
+styles = setdiff(supportedStyles(),[:auto])'
 plot(cumsum(randn(20,length(styles)),1); style=:auto,label=map(string,styles),w=5)
 ```
 
@@ -138,8 +140,8 @@ plot(cumsum(randn(20,length(styles)),1); style=:auto,label=map(string,styles),w=
 
 
 ```julia
-markers = setdiff(supportedMarkers(),[:none,:auto])
-scatter(0.5:9.5,[fill(i - 0.5,10) for i = length(markers):-1:1]; marker=:auto,label=map(string,markers),ms=10)
+markers = setdiff(supportedMarkers(),[:none,:auto])'
+scatter(0.5:9.5,[fill(i - 0.5,10) for i = length(markers):-1:1]; marker=:auto,label=map(string,markers),ms=12)
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_13.png)
@@ -149,7 +151,7 @@ scatter(0.5:9.5,[fill(i - 0.5,10) for i = length(markers):-1:1]; marker=:auto,la
 x is the midpoint of the bar. (todo: allow passing of edges instead of midpoints)
 
 ```julia
-bar(randn(1000))
+bar(randn(999))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/winston/winston_example_14.png)
diff --git a/img/supported/Plots.supportGraphArgs.png b/img/supported/Plots.supportGraphArgs.png
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diff --git a/img/winston/winston_example_8.png b/img/winston/winston_example_8.png
index a59694fe..3e7c5f84 100644
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diff --git a/img/winston/winston_example_9.png b/img/winston/winston_example_9.png
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diff --git a/src/backends/gadfly.jl b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
index 19ad7430..77396503 100644
--- a/src/backends/gadfly.jl
+++ b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
@@ -505,7 +505,6 @@ end
 
 function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::Plot{GadflyPackage})
   gplt = getGadflyContext(plt.backend, plt)
-  @show plt.initargs
   setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.initargs[:size]...)
   Gadfly.draw(Gadfly.PNG(io, Compose.default_graphic_width, Compose.default_graphic_height), gplt)
 end
diff --git a/src/backends/winston.jl b/src/backends/winston.jl
index 9c304a9f..c15f290b 100644
--- a/src/backends/winston.jl
+++ b/src/backends/winston.jl
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ supportedArgs(::WinstonPackage) = [
     # :axis,
     # :background_color,
     :color,
+    :color_palette,
     :fillrange,
     :fillcolor,
     # :foreground_color,
@@ -132,13 +133,12 @@ function plot!(::WinstonPackage, plt::Plot; kw...)
 
 
   e = Dict()
-  e[:color] = d[:color]
+  e[:color] = getColor(d[:color])
   e[:linewidth] = d[:linewidth]
   e[:kind] = winston_linestyle[d[:linestyle]]
   e[:symbolkind] = winston_marker[d[:markershape]]
   # markercolor     # same choices as `color`, or :match will set the color to be the same as `color`
   e[:symbolsize] = d[:markersize] / 5
-  # fillto          # fillto value for area plots
 
   # pos             # (Int,Int), move the enclosing window to this position
   # screen          # Integer, move enclosing window to this screen number (for multiscreen desktops)
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ function plot!(::WinstonPackage, plt::Plot; kw...)
 
   ## lintype :path, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :dots, :none, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar
   if d[:linetype] == :none
-    Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Points(d[:x], d[:y]; copy_remove(e, :kind)...))
+    Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Points(d[:x], d[:y]; copy_remove(e, :kind)..., color=getColor(d[:markercolor])))
 
   elseif d[:linetype] == :path
     x, y = d[:x], d[:y]
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ function plot!(::WinstonPackage, plt::Plot; kw...)
       else
         y2 = Float64[fillrange for yi in y]
       end
-      Winston.add(wplt, Winston.FillBetween(x, y, x, y2, fillcolor=d[:color]))
+      Winston.add(wplt, Winston.FillBetween(x, y, x, y2, fillcolor=getColor(d[:fillcolor])))
     end
 
   elseif d[:linetype] == :scatter
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ function plot!(::WinstonPackage, plt::Plot; kw...)
 
   # markershape
   if d[:markershape] != :none
-    Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Points(d[:x], d[:y]; copy_remove(e, :kind)...))
+    Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Points(d[:x], d[:y]; copy_remove(e, :kind)..., color=getColor(d[:markercolor])))
   end