Creating art.

[Clover]

Inspired by Daisy talking about her painting I’ve been thinking about giving it another go. I’ve enjoyed it in the past but let’s just say,I’m not a natural! I was wondering Daisy do you use water colours? That’s all I’ve ever tried but wondered if I’d get on better with another medium. Also I never know what to paint.I’ve copied photos in the past .Perhaps I should have a try at Still life! I know Aggie used to show us her paintings.
Anyone else enjoy painting? Any tips would be appreciated. I know I can look on You tube etc.but personal experience is really useful too.

[Gemini]

Clover, I am one who has always loved art. Painting, drawing, crafts, and pottery at school. But I have no real talent. Therefore I would not have the confidence to go to an art class as an adult which is silly I know.

Early in lockdown I bought myself an art project book, like one Daisy has. I have enjoyed working through that, but it's not really for anyone else to see. It has been neglected for a while I must get it out again.
I bought myself some new watercolours to use in the book, as well as colouring pencils and oil pastels. I haven't used the paints yet. I think I will experiment with them elsewhere and see how I get on.
So no tips from me, just encouragement! The books like Daisy and I and I think maybe Enfys have are good fun and interesting, maybe you could treat yourself to one?

[Nanto2girls]

Clover, i'm useless at art,but you go for it.

[Plantaholic]

I have a water colour set and some paper, when I retired I intended to go to classes but chickened out. Must get them out again. Go for it Clover even if it for your eyes only.

[Daisy]

Clover - I think very few incredibly talented people are 'naturals' - and I'm certainly not one of them. But I do find it absorbing and enjoy the process -even the mistakes!

I'm using acrylics mostly at the moment. I've never used them before, but I don't want to go through the hassle of oils. I bought a sort of 'gift set' of tiny tubes of acrylic and a pad of canvas paper to practise on. Most of the colours in the set were lurid!! I've now got just a few basic colours - mostly Winsor & Newton Galeria, plus a few Liquitex ones.

I've watched a few YouTube videos for beginners which were quite helpful. I'm copying a landscape picture from a magazine at the moment - it's difficult to decide what to paint, I found. I've taken a lot of liberties with it, though. I'll post a photo of the work in progress later.

The best video I watched said 'enjoy your mistakes' - so I am.

[Enfys]

Clover, do have a dabble. There are lots of videos on YouTube on all sorts of different mediums. Water colours can be quite difficult as they are hard to control but nice if you do a pencil or ink drawing then wash over. Acrylics are easier to manage and you can easily paint over any areas you don’t like. Personally, I love pastels and pen and ink but have used all sorts. You get completely different results with the different mediums. Water colour pencils are good to begin with but really just give it a go, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

[Gemini]

I use acrylics for the stone painting, and they are easy to use and lots of colours available.

[Daisy]

Clover - excellent advice from Enfys.

I take watercolours to use when we're in the caravan, but as Enfys says, acrylics are easier to manage. I've certainly found it useful to be able to paint over the bits I don't like!

Hopefully WeeGranny will be along at some point - she is a very talented artist, and I suspect Enfys is hiding her light under a bushel.

Find a picture/photo etc you like and give it a go.

I decided I needed something bright and cheerful to paint so am having a go at this from a magazine. As you can see, I've simplified it and taken all sorts of liberties, and it's very much a work in progress, but I liked the bright colours. It's the first time I've used a 'proper' stretched canvas - it's not great quality - quite rough - so I keep adding layers of paint until the canvas isn't showing through. Acrylics dry really quickly. Do have a go. I'm going to have a go at an abstract next.


Painting MtFuji Jun20IMG_3931 2.JPG

[Daisy]

Sorry - I don't know why the photo itself didn't load - I'll try again!

[Daisy]

Clover, I am one who has always loved art. Painting, drawing, crafts, and pottery at school. But I have no real talent. Therefore I would not have the confidence to go to an art class as an adult which is silly I know.

Gem - some months ago a friend of a friend invited me to join a weekly art group in the village. No tuition, just doing art with a group of other people, and give advice and support to each other. I was really keen to join at first, then stopped and thought - I would be turning up with hardly any kit, literally a blank canvas, and worst of all, no idea what to draw or paint. So I didn't go! I regret it now, of course, and I want to be brave and join some kind of group or class when they restart.

[WeeGranny]

Is that Mt Fuji, Dasiy ? Looks good. Thank you for your praise of my artistic talent!

Clover, I'm very much a mixed media person these days. I usually start with watercolour, then add different media...pastels, ink, watercolour pencils etc. And I do a lot of experimenting with the paint e.g. wet washes, letting colour run etc to achieve different effects. I'm sure my teacher ( when classes were running) used to wonder what I was going to do next! I love oils, but they take ages to dry and can be messy. Not too keen on acrylics though you can get some fantastic effects.

Why not set up a simple still life, something that doesn't have to be moved, and have a go. You could try painting it from different angles and see how it looks. Try pencil first and then go for paint.

I've got a couple waiting to be finished, maybe I should get on with them.

Good luck and don't be too harsh a critic on yourself!

[Gemini]

You do have artistic talent WG!
Nana paints and does crafts doesn't she as well?

Daisy, the lovely bright colours were the first thing I noticed about your painting. It's very good for work in progress!

[Lizzie48]

Very good, I always wished I was artistic! There is an art group where I do the coffee mornings, I am always very impressed with what they do!

[Clover]

A lot of ladies with a penchant for painting! Thank you for all the advice. I think I have some acrylics somewhere ,I must see if I can find them.Daisy that is a lovely picture.I never thought of looking in magazines for pictures to copy!

[Daisy]

Wee Granny - yes, it is Mt Fuji - with the Shibazakura in blossom. ( I hope that's right!) I think it's some kind of low-growing Phlox. I love seeing your pictures - they're always so original so when you find time do let us see what you've been doing.

Clover - thank you - I just loved the vibrant colours and needed a bit of colour in lockdown! What has stopped me from painting for ages was quite literally not knowing what to paint, then I saw that and thought I'd have a go. I'll be brave and put up a photo of it when it's finished. I made a start on what I think is going to be an abstract - but I don't know yet. I'll just see where it goes. But do have a go yourself - it's relaxing and absorbing. xx