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Message
Posted
I live in the North West of England and have been painting for about 15 years. I belong to an art group and sometimes exhibit and sell paintings, although I haven't entered any competitions. As an amateur, I feel that I don't want to compete against professionals and would rather just improve what I do.
I often suffer from tendonitis and this is extremely frustrating as I have to pace myself when painting anything with a lot of detail.
So I'm looking forward to browsing the site and am happy to chat, particularly about pastels, acrylics and water mixable oils. My watercolour skills are sadly lacking and need practise.
My favourite pastel painting so far ...
Posted
An excellent piece - I know a little bit about the background to this lad: made himself very unpopular by killing people, but then - that IS what tigers do; I suppose that's not much consolation if you're his breakfast. Watercolour, which you mention, is hard work but rewarding if you can get it right: I rarely do, but always have a huge sense of achievement when it comes off. Am I a professional (I ask myself...)? Well - I've never been able to live off of my sales (especially now, with the market in the total doldrums!) but I do understand what you mean about not exhibiting with pros, or semi-pros, which I suppose I am. Cuts both ways, too - you don't really want to be in an exhibition of amateurs' works - defending myself hastily against charges of snobbishness at the very least, the snag is that in an all-comers' exhibition, the quality, the finish if you like, is bound to vary - I don't think it's fair to amateurs, and it does professionals no good, if people can see a gap in technical ability between paintings. That's all it is - it certainly doesn't mean that a professionally accomplished, framed, and presented picture is as interesting as an amateur's attempt: sometimes, indeed, the pro fares very badly by comparison - I'd rather have a good, vigorous, brave painting than a laboriously honed study of a wallflower or range of kitchen equipment. But there's almost bound to be a difference, and that rarely flatters either 'side'. So I think you're wise, at this stage in your career, to be discriminating. Still - good tiger! And maybe, while you're on your way to the next plateau, concentrate on what you're best at - took me a long time to show my watercolours, because I didn't start with them (as many do); so I practised 'em in secret, while concentrating on oils and acrylics.
By the way - plenty of us here have all sorts of medical issues; mine is arthritis (all over the blessed place, but most annoyingly in my neck and upper arms, down into the hands): we KNOW what you mean!
Posted
Thank you both, you have made me feel very welcome. I usually enter an local annual art exhibition that's held at our Harris museum and art gallery. A local artist called Lubaina Himid has had an exhibition there and you will no doubt recognise her name as she's a Turner Prize winner. It's never been a competition as such, although prizes are awarded and anyone living in the area can enter, including professionals.
My reservations are when photography is awarded the main prize as I feel that it's a labour saving device, although it certainly takes skill to capture a winning image. One year a photograph won the 1st prize and I have to say that whilst I was amazed at the size of the print (about 5ft x 2ft) it didn't adhere to the rules of entry as all 2 dimensional entries had to be framed and fitted with mirror plates. This entry was huge and it was set up on a board and attached by bulldog clips, the board being balanced on 2 artists' easels. Every other entry was framed and attached to the walls. (btw, the rules were altered the next year!)
I wondered what other artists thought about their work standing alongside and being judged against photography. I felt there were many other paintings which were excellent, both by amateurs and professionals and that paintings shouldn't be judged alongside photography. I believe that truly excellent paintings have that certain something else that a photograph cannot replicate, something from the heart if you like.
I wondered if others would feel the same and might not exhibit their paintings if they were judged against photography? I've sold 2 paintings at these exhibitions so don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face!
Posted
Welcome Cordelia! Love your Tiger I am an amateur but have sold a few paintings I started with watercolour then moved to acrylics ( my favourite) but recently discovered pastels and pastel pencils. At the moment I am enjoying working with pen and wash I have things on the gallery if you are interested. I am in Orkney and have Parkinson’s so like Robert understand the frustration of having to deal with health and disability! But I take a positive outlook and get on with life
Posted
Hi Gillian! Thank you for your likes and I am sure you will enjoy pastels and pastel pencils. A lot depends on finding your favourite brand of paper or board, I find. You are very fortunate to live in such a lovely part of the UK and it must be so inspirational. I will check out your gallery properly soon and my art group is to start on pen and wash in a couple of weeks, that will be interesting!
Posted
Welcome to the forum and gallery Cordelia, I like the pastel painting of the tiger . I paint in watercolour and occasionally I use pastel and sketch with pencils , graphite sticks etc . I’m self taught and like a lot of people on the site I suffer with physical problems mainly my hands , unfortunately they are curling up and I’m unable to straighten them fortunately my left hand at the moment. Still let not moan and get on with our artwork it a good therapy for most things . There are lots of things on the forum giving information and advice , do join in the ongoing discussions it’s always nice to have new people join us.
Posted
Welcome. I hope you enjoy the site! Pastels are not my area of expertise, but I have used water-mixable oil paints. If you don't mind my asking, what brand have you used so far? Also, there is absolutely no way you can look at that tiger painting and call yourself an amateur. I figure you could very well teach pastel painting at this point.
Posted
Welcome to the forum and gallery Cordelia, I like the pastel painting of the tiger . I paint in watercolour and occasionally I use pastel and sketch with pencils , graphite sticks etc . I’m self taught and like a lot of people on the site I suffer with physical problems mainly my hands , unfortunately they are curling up and I’m unable to straighten them fortunately my left hand at the moment. Still let not moan and get on with our artwork it a good therapy for most things . There are lots of things on the forum giving information and advice , do join in the ongoing discussions it’s always nice to have new people join us.
Posted
Welcome. I hope you enjoy the site! Pastels are not my area of expertise, but I have used water-mixable oil paints. If you don't mind my asking, what brand have you used so far? Also, there is absolutely no way you can look at that tiger painting and call yourself an amateur. I figure you could very well teach pastel painting at this point.
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