Pastels and Watercolors (and a few other art media)

[SquarePeg]

I like it. I could see this as a print fabric (not a bad thing).

For “loose” kust think of color patches. Start as an abstract and go from there.

I always start out with that intention and end up with the same not loose but not realism. It’s very hard for me to not get fussy with it.

I like it very much! Fabulous colors. What a great job with the stems. You almost paint like someone who's had a few classes.

This certainly looks loose and expressive to me. It sounds like you made a good call to paint over "fussy" details, because I don't see any.

Have you worked on it more?

I haven’t yet but will probably add some foliage and try to lighten it up a bit. Was thinking of adding some sun rays but when I tried it on a photo of the painting it was way too busy. So maybe just more highlights and lighten up the background in the upper sections.

 

[SquarePeg]

I don’t like the changes. I’m scrapping this one. The canvas has been painted over a couple of times then spackled so I think it’s had enough abuse . Going to put it out of its misery.

 

[terri]

Aw, that sucks. Sorry you're not happy with the outcome. It looks a bit lighter and brighter- not bad, but (and I can only base this on how it looked on my screen) I did like the darker version of your palette.

Maybe you'll let it gel in your peripheral brain for awhile and try again sometime. The colors are gorgeous, and I thought you showed a nice loose touch.

 

[snowbear]

It’s fine. I’d put it on the wall in my house.

 

[terri]

It’s fine. I’d put it on the wall in my house.

The girl is hard on herself. But we all are.

 

[SquarePeg]

The girl is hard on herself. But we all are.

Maybe if I let go of what I wanted it to look like, it’s not half bad. But I know what I envisioned and that is not it. That is why I am finding it disappointing. But I have a lovely day of painting planned today, so we’ll see how far I get with the new stuff.

 

[terri]

Maybe if I let go of what I wanted it to look like, it’s not half bad. But I know what I envisioned and that is not it. That is why I am finding it disappointing. But I have a lovely day of painting planned today, so we’ll see how far I get with the new stuff.

Yep - it's a "not what I envisioned" issue. So it's easy to perceive it as a failure.

This is why the old "put it aside for awhile and then look at it" adage is so helpful. It helps you let go of what it isn't, so you can judge it more fairly for what it is.

 

[snowbear]

I have a stack of "not what I wanted it to look like." If you decde to pitch it, I'll PM the ME address.

 

[SquarePeg]

Latest attempt at loose florals. Getting closer but it still looks a bit fussy. I had to leave the room to avoid over detailing. I also need to remember composition rules when I’m painting. It’s not balanced very well. I always seem to leave too much room at the bottom and not enough at the top. Next time!!

Thoughts? Don’t hold back I can take it and need. Some critique to improve.

Loosely based on a painting from a YouTube video by Mari Minon. Work in progress for sure.

 

[terri]

I like it! It feels loose to me, with those soft edges. I think you're getting the hang of it. I like the triangular shape from your blooms.

Do you ever sketch out your composition first? You'll be able to avoid bumping into the borders if you do a light sketch before you paint.

Colored pencils or soft pastels are great for sketching.

I had to leave the room to avoid over detailing.

Well done!

 

[SquarePeg]

I like it! It feels loose to me, with those soft edges. I think you're getting the hang of it. I like the triangular shape from your blooms.

Do you ever sketch out your composition first? You'll be able to avoid bumping into the borders if you do a light sketch before you paint.

Colored pencils or soft pastels are great for sketching.

Well done!

Great idea. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of sketching but just in my book, separate from any ideas for painting. I need to combine.

 

[terri]

I speak from experience - it's a game changer. When you're satisfied with your sketch, you reach for the paint. You'll never see the sketch (unless you want some of your marks to show).

 

[SquarePeg]

On a different note, I’m taking a calligraphy class in a few weeks. It’s a one and done deal for me I expect. Not really that interested in calligraphy itself but want to learn how to use the pens for other purposes and a friend wanted to do it so I said I’d go along.

 

[terri]

Ooo! @snowbear will want to see your results.

I have 2 pens only because they came with the gold and silver inks I bought. The inks are fun to spatter. Speedball brand.

 

[snowbear]

Ooo! @snowbear will want to see your results.

I have 2 pens only because they came with the gold and silver inks I bought. The inks are fun to spatter. Speedball brand.

The “not what I envisioned?” A lot in ME, some in storage and a few at MD house (still camped out at MLSIL’s.)

I’ll look to see what I have that isn’t boxed up. I’ve dabbled in calligraphy but not enough to really do anything. I took the Chinese calligraphy class a number of years ago as the cultural diversity requirement for the degree. I have something from that, somewhere.

I hope you enjoy the pens. I use the dippers when I don’t have a fountain pen inked and nearby.