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Message
Posted
I'm Misa, and I'm not sure I'd call myself an artist - so far all I've done is collect supplies and watch Watercolour Challenge on Channel 5.
I used to draw a gazzilion years ago when I was a kid, but was "encouraged" away from doing art as a GCSE. Now I'm pushing 50, I really want to get back into painting, specifically watercolours. However, my biggest issue is my being a full-time carer to my husband, who had a stroke end of 2018, so it's not easy to get out and about to paint.
So my first question is - can I learn to paint from photos and, if so, where can I look other than Googling places? Any advice is welcome!
Posted
Well to start off with welcome to the POL and the forum. It’s hard work juggling caring and fitting in your own things.
The answer to your main question is yes you can learn from the photos but it’s not always the best was as they are two dimensional. There are lots of guides and tutorials on POL and I would strongly recommend using them , they are all quality and don’t have any hidden agenda , ie buy my fancy expensive brushes . There are also the two art publications that often have interesting topic etc. The import thing is to get the brush wet and dipped into some paint , you can always put it on the forum and ask for help , advice etc . There are so many talented people on the sight who are willing to advice and help .
Most importantly join in the conversations , don’t hold back thinking I don’t know enough to comment, ask if you don’t understand I’m sure other will feel the same way . For certain no one is going to think you silly or don’t know a thing , I wish this site was going years ago when I started . The ultimate aim is to enjoy your painting and learn it’s a great journey that will last you a lifetime. Hope this helps , bit tip is don’t spend a fortune to start with ad a lot of stuff get put away and never used , ask others what they think of certain materials etc.
Posted
Welcome Misa , what a pretty name. If you want to paint you will paint and become an artist. Lots of info on this site most people who use the forum are happy to help if they can.
I understand your problem re not being able to get out easily. I’ve been there.
There are sites with photographs you can use , sorry I don’t know any names have a Google. Do t pinch pics ad lib you might need permission because of copyright .
I’m sure you have photos in an album.
Paint yourself sitting in front of a mirror. Set up a still life from stuff around your home. Do you have a pet ? Illustrate a piece of poetry. Pick a flower a stone a cabbage.
Could you arrange a day just for you, you certainly should do. A friend ,a family member to be with your husband . If you can join a daytime art group lots of stimulation .
I spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms so always took my sketch book and drew other people waiting. Come and look at the challenges here and join in.
DO IT .🌹
Posted
Hi Misa welcome to POL and the forum. I took up painting after I retired .I too loved art at school but went into a career in Nursing. I went to a watercolour class and initially used photos to give us subjects to practice. In my opinion it is ok to do this especially in your position as a carer! But it’s nice to get outside to paint and sketch you can do that in your garden! There’s lot of things in the house to paint too ( or from your window). I have found sketching is really worth perfecting too as you can use them for inspiration! Good luck and look forward to seeing how you progress !!
Posted
Hello Misa and welcome 😀
great advice from everyone above.
I mainly paint from photos or still life, as things further away (landscapes etc) are a frustrating spectacles-juggling experience for me! I used to sketch a lot in my younger days (when I could see without glasses), but not so much now.
Have a look on the gallery, as there are many people who paint things 'around the house' so to speak. If you want other subjects, there are royalty-free sites you can get photos from (eg 'Unsplash')
Posted
Hi Misa and welcome to the POL website.
Yes, as suggested, take out a subscription to Leisure Painter, it’s part of this website as is The Artist magazine.
Photographs can be a great source of inspiration, but try and use them as a starting point and not try and painstakingly copy them - it’s not the way to progress your art and you’ll end up with disappointing results!
Yes, of course it’s great to get out and sketch and paint plein air, but that’s not an option for you at the moment - using photos will get you started.
Have a look at the Tips and Techniques section on here, select your preferred medium and follow some of the demonstrations.
The W&N Cotman series of paints and brushes are more than adequate to get you started, check out the Jackson’s Art website, they stock pretty much everything you’ll need!
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for advice on here, post your work under the Work in Progress (WIP) category of the forum.
Posted
Welcome.
Draw, first of all - doesn't matter what, could be a bunch of flowers, your kitchen window-sill, dining room table, pipe-works, gutters and plumbing outside your house: if you can do that as well as work from your photographs, you'll be gaining the inspiration the photos can give with the practical experience of drawing actual things seen through your own eyes and not a photographer's. That'll teach you a lot about modelling, shading, shadows, and tones.
Posted
Hi Misa and welcome. You’ve already had some very good advice above and hopefully it will help you get started. I would only add don’t forget the every day in front of you. If you look through the gallery you will see some excellent paintings and drawings of things like a cup of tea, a bunch of keys, a favourite vase, a chair. It doesn’t have to be complicated and you will find that working from life will help. If you use photos use your own if you can, so that you have a memory of the time and place.
Good luck. It’s easy to spend a fortune when all you need to start is a pencil!
Look forward to seeing your work.
Posted
Hello Misa and welcome. You’ve already had lots of excellent advice here so I won’t repeat it. However, pick up a pencil or paint and just enjoy yourself, get lost in your own space for a while.
It must be hard for you right now, I’m a stroke survivor, I had a left sided stroke 6 years ago. I know my husband was perhaps over protective (I’m looking at it from the stroke survivors point.) Look after yourself and enjoy picking up your paints.
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