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Message
Posted
I have been drawing pictures since childhood but have received no formal art training.
For years I restricted myself to graphite, charcoal and ink. I discovered pastels late in life
, and have been using them ever since.
I never learned to paint but have recently been trying to teach myself to use watercolour and acrylic. I have found the experience to be very challenging.
I work exclusively from photos (sometimes my own but mainly copyright free ones by others), and draw and paint mainly landscapes and animals.
I have joined this forum partly to learn from others and also to share my work. And also just to chat about pictures.
I am looking forward to meeting other members and benefitting from their knowledge and experience.
, and have been using them ever since.
I never learned to paint but have recently been trying to teach myself to use watercolour and acrylic. I have found the experience to be very challenging.
I work exclusively from photos (sometimes my own but mainly copyright free ones by others), and draw and paint mainly landscapes and animals.
I have joined this forum partly to learn from others and also to share my work. And also just to chat about pictures.
I am looking forward to meeting other members and benefitting from their knowledge and experience.
Edited
by Keith Melling
Posted
Welcome - I imagine few of us have had professional tuition: I have to say that when a painter has been to art school, it does tend to show in their work; I sometimes regret not having gone, but - it's a bit late now. I'd call what you and I have been through experiential learning - so we can get there, but it takes a lot longer to master basic things that tutors can teach.
Everyone here, including me, is likely to tell you that working from your own observations, out in the wild, or even at a Zoo, is better than relying on photos: but I also think we'd say that's all very well if you CAN - but don't let it stop you if you can't. My first successful drawing (well, I thought it was) was accomplished while in hospital, waiting to have my toenails removed..... something had to pass the time and stop my well-merited anxiety. It was a drawing of a Gaur - a huge Asian ox I'd certainly never seen hoof and horns; and you've given us a good painting of a snow leopard - so as you know, it can be done, and by the same token moving into watercolour and acrylic can also be done, if you apply the same dedication to them as you have to pastel.
Posted
Welcome to the site Keith, you have made a good choice.
I’m one of the few on here that have been to college, but it shouldn’t make any difference in my view - much of it was spent in the life class, so for the majority of subjects, these were never really taught… it’s common sense and practice, simple as that
Basics such as perspective, shadows, reflections, composition etc is easy enough, and there’s a ton of good literature out there should you need help, as well as on this site.
Colour mixing skills will come naturally, but there is good advice on here, Robert knows his paints and I’ve learned a lot from his posts.
My advice, and is something that I do, is paint, draw, sketch in whatever medium every single day if possible. It’s the only way to hone your skills…
Not heavily laboured fine art stuff, sketches in the main. 5/10 minute scribbles, my gallery is full of this stuff! Not everything needs to be a masterpiece! Get a good quality sketchbook, I can recommend Stillman & Birn, Amazon stock a few sizes.
Posted
Welcome Keith. It's a super drawing you should put it on the gallery. I'm self taught like most. I've had great advice from members here stearring me in the right direction especially from Alan and Robert. I work in most mediums. I work from a number of means, still life, photos and from life.
Posted
Welcome to the forum and of course the gallery Keith like the majority of folk on the site in also self taught, add by encouraging and help for fellow members as well . I paint in watercolour and sketch using both pencil and recently dip pen and ink . I do put quite a few work in progress on the forum, may not be what you like to paint but often the techniques and problem solving is transferable to other subjects. In his response Alan mentioned sketch it’s one of the most important skills that we could have, if you can draw something then you can soon learn to add colour . Don’t over worry about mistakes or techniques just do it and you will develop as you progress with the paintings , it’s all a bit complicated at first when you read so many different ways of doing things , or think I have to do it this way , no you don’t
If something isn’t working for you try a different method, experimenting is the best way to learn and like everyone we learn more from a mistake and correcting it that getting it right first time . Do ask for any help advice or just ideas etc if you feel you need to. Most important thing is to enjoy your time painting and not get so frustrated it doesn’t work out.
Do get your work trimmed and on the gallery so that it will be seen by more people and you will get comments.
Out of interest where did you find out about POL , just my curiosity.
