I have been dabbling in an on-line art class by Renee Mueller. I love her romantic style and she has a gentle way of teaching as well. The class was called Storytellers and the idea was to tell a story about something in your life using her techniques as guidance.
I was way out of my comfort zone and decided to just try and copy what she had done to learn the techniques before I set off on my own. As you can imagine, there were seriously talented painters in the class but I kept going, being kind to myself because I am just learning. I also had a very limited supply of paints and pastels and as all shops are still closed and buying anything on-line can take weeks to come, I just used what I had.
This is a little charcoal drawing we started with. My first ever charcoal portrait.
Then we did some abstract collages. We learnt to put masking tape around the watercolour paper to protect the edges.
I actually really enjoyed doing these. Looking at what others had done, I realised that I am a bit too heavy handed with the paint though. I need a lighter touch.
Then we had to paint a flower.
Once again, I was too heavy handed, but it was my first time.
The next and last thing to do is to paint a portrait!! I had been procrastinating about doing it and waited for at least a week. Finally, I thought I might as well try.
I absolutely love watching the UK show Portrait and Landscape Artist of the year. I have always been in awe of their talent and now I really respect them.
The upside to this year has been time to dabble in some other areas. My life was always so busy and I didn't have much spare time. Apart from the horrible stress of it all, I have had some time to play around.
I have also realised that I am overrun with quilts, especially now that they are all back from exhibitions. I will only make small quilts from now on.
Mmm, maybe my next series will be portraits, not painted ones but in quilts. I would love to master faces and people. That's an idea!
Bye for now,
Linda
9 comments:
Painting is something that scares the daylights out of me. I once took a workshop with the goal of painting lilacs in watercolor. I was quite proud of my efforts until I showed my DH and he took one look and wanted to know what it was....and his next question was that he thought I was holding it upside down. Hmmm....so I guess it didn't look like lilacs!! So much for my aspirations of being a famous watercolour artist!!
Linda, I love the charcoal portrait you did!!!! IT's wonderful!!! So are your other pieces but the charcoal is my favorite!!!! Job well done!
I laughed out loud when I read you little story, Magpie Mumblings. I didn't even show my husband my meagre efforts.
Thank you Robbie, I agree that the charcoal portrait is the best and my favourite too. Probably because I can draw although I am slow at it. Painting is something that I am a complete beginner at.
Welldone on your efforts, it's great that this year has given you more time to experiment, always a positive to the negative somewhere!
Thanks Jude, I tend to be a positive type person and really welcomed the rest from the hustle and bustle.
I have been dabbling with pencil and paint since I was a child, but am no expert! I simply enjoy what I do, it's for me, and if anyone else likes it, that is a bonus. I think your efforts are excellent for a beginner, but you have been an artist-in-fabric for so long, it isn't surprising your creativity has extended to other media.
Overrun with quilts - LOL! I have nowhere near as many as you, but I still know the feeling - mine are in cupboards, dry cleaning bags, on beds in multiple layers, and on the couch and chairs wherever there is a space.
Oh and on walls too - not big quilts, just wall hangings.
How lovely to hear from you Gina, I was thinking about you a couple of months ago and wondering how you were going. I have one more large quilt to quilt and then I am only going to do small hangings from now on. Maybe I'll start selling some quilts when galleries start to open again.
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