Pastels and Watercolors (and a few other art media)

[SquarePeg19]

Meanwhile, in the middle is all the attempts at those blossoms - I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I like a messier, more abstract style. But I tend to second guess myself on whether the abstracts are getting better or just a hot mess. I ordered a small amount of the 100% 140 lb cotton paper because it supposedly makes a big difference. I did these and the last one above on the more expensive paper and I do think it’s nicer to work with but maybe too pricey for me at this point.

 

[terri16]

These are great! I love all your drips and dots, they give lots of movement to your paintings. Painting loose is fun and relaxing, but it's tough for me sometimes! Hard to let go of control.

You shouldn't be concerned about getting away from flowers, if that's what you like to paint. Georgia O'Keeffe was famous for them!

 

[SquarePeg19]

These are great! I love all your drips and dots, they give lots of movement to your paintings. Painting loose is fun and relaxing, but it's tough for me sometimes! Hard to let go of control.

You shouldn't be concerned about getting away from flowers, if that's what you like to paint. Georgia O'Keeffe was famous for them!

I truly appreciate the encouragement!

 

[waday]

It is a mystery to me, too, how real painters (oils) learn to mix their own flesh tones with crazy colors that should never work, but somehow do.

This made me think of da Vinci, who literally dissected bodies to learn about the body and how to paint it and who layered color upon color to obtain the shade he needed.

 

[waday]

but maybe too pricey for me at this point

I say go for it. If it’s not too pricey, and you can dabble on cheaper paper to figure out technique first, splurge a little for your work. It’s worth it, in my opinion, but I’m the one urging my wife to use the more expensive yarns for knitting and I’m the one using more expensive items for my own hobbies.

 

[waday]

I want to draw portraits, but I’ve been so afraid of them. Decided to take it head on (sorry for the pun), and just draw them no matter how they turn out.

The first one will remain hidden, LOL. This second one I thought was a much better attempt. Proportions are still off, I tend to make faces shorter and wider. I actually had to go back and make his face narrower, and it’s still short and squashed.

But, I’m proud of it, because I’m pushing myself.


Mr. Rogers by Wade, on Flickr

 

[SquarePeg19]

I want to draw portraits, but I’ve been so afraid of them. Decided to take it head on (sorry for the pun), and just draw them no matter how they turn out.

The first one will remain hidden, LOL. This second one I thought was a much better attempt. Proportions are still off, I tend to make faces shorter and wider. I actually had to go back and make his face narrower, and it’s still short and squashed.

But, I’m proud of it, because I’m pushing myself.


Mr. Rogers by Wade, on Flickr

I totally knew who it was before I scrolled all the way down and saw your title. Awesome job!

 

[SquarePeg19]

I think that watercolors have an ugly duckling phase. They look pretty good while I'm painting them - vivid, sharp edges , then all of a sudden they start to dry and they look terrible - muddy, dull, matte and sloppy then... if I haven't tossed them into the nope pile, they seem to come back to life a bit when they are fully fully dried - like hours later. After that I feel like I can add a few details to get rid of the flatness and kind of "save" the piece. I wish I had taken photos of these in the duckling phase. I know they're not amazing or anything but in the end I think they came out kind of cute and they have some pop which they didn't when the original painting was just dried.

 

[waday]

I want to draw portraits, but I’ve been so afraid of them. Decided to take it head on (sorry for the pun), and just draw them no matter how they turn out.

The first one will remain hidden, LOL. This second one I thought was a much better attempt. Proportions are still off, I tend to make faces shorter and wider. I actually had to go back and make his face narrower, and it’s still short and squashed.

But, I’m proud of it, because I’m pushing myself.


Mr. Rogers by Wade, on Flickr

I totally knew who it was before I scrolled all the way down and saw your title. Awesome job!

Thank you! When he had wider cheeks (yes, they were even wider), my wife said Luke Wilson... Whoops hahaha

 

[waday]

I think that watercolors have an ugly duckling phase. They look pretty good while I'm painting them - vivid, sharp edges , then all of a sudden they start to dry and they look terrible - muddy, dull, matte and sloppy then... if I haven't tossed them into the nope pile, they seem to come back to life a bit when they are fully fully dried - like hours later. After that I feel like I can add a few details to get rid of the flatness and kind of "save" the piece. I wish I had taken photos of these in the duckling phase. I know they're not amazing or anything but in the end I think they came out kind of cute and they have some pop which they didn't when the original painting was just dried.

View attachment 193094

They are very cute. If they were mine, I’d put them in matching frames and hang them in my daughter’s room.

 

[terri16]

I want to draw portraits, but I’ve been so afraid of them. Decided to take it head on (sorry for the pun), and just draw them no matter how they turn out.

The first one will remain hidden, LOL. This second one I thought was a much better attempt. Proportions are still off, I tend to make faces shorter and wider. I actually had to go back and make his face narrower, and it’s still short and squashed.

But, I’m proud of it, because I’m pushing myself.


Mr. Rogers by Wade, on Flickr

Good job! I agree, portraits are scary. You get extra props for not just sketching the outline, but doing all this shading and detail work. That is really an impressive effort.

And I also agree that you should be proud of it because it means you're pushing yourself. It's hard to get out of our comfort zones, isn't it? gah!!

 

[terri16]

I think that watercolors have an ugly duckling phase. They look pretty good while I'm painting them - vivid, sharp edges , then all of a sudden they start to dry and they look terrible - muddy, dull, matte and sloppy then... if I haven't tossed them into the nope pile, they seem to come back to life a bit when they are fully fully dried - like hours later. After that I feel like I can add a few details to get rid of the flatness and kind of "save" the piece. I wish I had taken photos of these in the duckling phase. I know they're not amazing or anything but in the end I think they came out kind of cute and they have some pop which they didn't when the original painting was just dried.

View attachment 193094

That's so interesting! It gives you an option to come back later and make another assessment. It makes sense that the paper might take longer to really dry down, as opposed to what you feel on the surface. That could change between paper types, too.

Yes, take photos next time, in the name of work-in-progress. I agree with Wade, these really did come out cute!

 

[waday]

I want to draw portraits, but I’ve been so afraid of them. Decided to take it head on (sorry for the pun), and just draw them no matter how they turn out.

The first one will remain hidden, LOL. This second one I thought was a much better attempt. Proportions are still off, I tend to make faces shorter and wider. I actually had to go back and make his face narrower, and it’s still short and squashed.

But, I’m proud of it, because I’m pushing myself.


Mr. Rogers by Wade, on Flickr

Good job! I agree, portraits are scary. You get extra props for not just sketching the outline, but doing all this shading and detail work. That is really an impressive effort.

And I also agree that you should be proud of it because it means you're pushing yourself. It's hard to get out of our comfort zones, isn't it? gah!!

Thanks Terri! I feel like I can’t draw a picture without shading something lol

 

[snowbear94]

I found this one on the little shelf that was over the drawing table. It had fallen over and was behind something else. I don't remember exactly when I painted it - a few of years ago; I'll have to find the original photo for an idea. Acrylic on canvas, 5x7.


Untitled by Snowbear Photography, on Flickr

 

[waday]

Ok, last Mr. Rogers attempt. But, I can totally see Luke Wilson, and now I’m convinced I actually drew his portrait.