Comments on: Analytical Drawing: Painting 4

By: fheathermoore

fheathermoore — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:51:07 +0000

Haha. Thanks Leslie. I think I was just having a moment of weakness. Sometimes it just doesn't work, but it's done with and I'm moving on to my next piece, so it's all good.

By: Leslie White

Leslie White — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:20:58 +0000

I am seeing improvement in your work. I think when you are thru with your studies you will probably continue to challenge yourself in all sorts of ways because you will have had the exposure to know how. My grandmother used to say "Ain't life grande?". Sometimes at moments when I thought it pretty much "sucked".

By: Leslie White

Leslie White — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:16:45 +0000

I read it in an acrylics book….so just passing that on because I did that and was happy that they stayed moist.

By: fheathermoore

fheathermoore — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:08:28 +0000

Aww thanks for saying so Leslie. The last couple of days has been pretty gruelling for me in terms of painting. I've been at it non-stop for nearly a week on just three paintings – from mid-morning through to about 9pm each night. I'm used to working much quicker and I think the longer I've been working on something the more frustrated I get. The strange thing is that my quicker paintings look much better than these ones. Working quickly obviously suits me better. Great idea about painting a series of images though.

By: fheathermoore

fheathermoore — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:04:10 +0000

Leslie, where would I be without you?! That's a brilliant tip. Thank you so much. I have been throwing away paint that I really can't afford to. I always seem to put out more than I need and can't find a happy medium, so you're saving me a fortune.

By: Leslie White

Leslie White — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:02:12 +0000

Second. I'm not hating this piece, above. Don't beat yourself up about the realism thing. Relax. You could be the best in your class and where would that get you in art. You are being offeredoptions and exploring new ways of expression.You already have improved, incredibly on your drawing skills. I heard something that was really cool once. Take a beginning piece and hang it on the wall and follow it with four more in sequence. When you finish the sixth one, take down the first one and you will begin to see your improvement. I store mine in a paged acid free portfolio and can page thru mine. It is remarkable how you will be able to visualize your improvement. We all work toward realism and at some point decide to go with what we get. That is the wonderful thing about art. You will improve as you expose yourself to all of this. If it all came easy? HOW UTTERLY BORING!!!!!!!

By: Leslie White

Leslie White — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:53:02 +0000

Hi Heather. First of all I'll address something easy. If you are using tube acrylics, you can fold some paper towel and lay it at the top of your palette and squirt it down good with water. When it is saturated, squeeze out the tube acrylics onto the scott towel ( I usually use about four sheets folded over). The damp paper towel keeps your blobs of paint moist and workable. You can squirt it again. You can even put it in a plastice container with a lid and it will be moist hours later. I like to lay my paper towel palette at the top of a butcher tray and I can mix on the tray in the bottom section.