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I Am Finally About To Take "The Plunge"!
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Message
Posted
The main thing I like about this site is the encouragement we all give to one another. So there I was encouraging one artist not to give up pastels and portraits, and another artist to please himself with what he wants to paint and not to worry what pleases others. Suddenly it occurred to me that I am not being true to myself. Some of you will know that I find watercolour too difficult and I will only attempt the occasional very basic wash. Now this is not false modesty, I really can't work in that medium. Some of you know that I also like flower painting and this I do in oils or acrylic. But my biggest wish that I have ALWAYS had is to do realistic flower painting in watercolour. I have tried, very briefly, at times and given up. But the dream is now so overwhelming that I am signing up to the Billy Showell Online School. I love her work. This is going to be a frustrating time for me, I have no doubt, but I am determined to master it, before I get to the age of regretting never having a proper go. I have always regretted not having the courage to paint earlier in my life.
So wish me luck everybody and perhaps you may see some attempts, if they are not too awful!
Posted
Adele I have only "known" you for a short time and the support and encouragement that you have given me has been amazing from someone as talented as you are. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best in your new venture, I am sure you will apply yourself to the utmost and will add this new medium to your list of achievements. Look forward to hearing and seeing your progress.
Donna
Posted
Thank you Alan. I don't know but I certainly will need at least half an hour's tuition on painting a grape. Thank you Donna, of course I will be carrying on with other paintings in between.
I have been spending a few days trying to decide between Billy or Anna Mason and I believe Billy's type of tuition will be more beneficial to me. I haven't mentioned that I have been very unsettled with my art lately and, of course some of you will know that I have been trying different mediums out, but I believe the realistic flower painting and botanical painting, is the way I wish to go. Horses for courses, and all that.
Posted
If you are serious about painting botanical subjects you wont go far wrong with a book by Billy Showell, to start with. I have her A to Z of flower painting.
Another book to excite the budding botanist is, Botanical Illustration - Siriol Sherlock
*The art of botanical painting - the society of botanical artists
*Botanical Sketchbook - Mary Ann Scott
I was lucky to find this book in a charity shop £1.50 - Marianne North - Art at Kew Gardens.
These are some of the books I have, They are a wonderful inspiration. And for me, watercolour is the best medium.
Here is one of the paintings I did from the Marianne North book.
Not only does she supply the subject but a view of the environment she painted it in. Hope this is of help to spur you on, Adele.
Not only does she supply the subject but a view of the environment she painted it in. Hope this is of help to spur you on, Adele.
Posted
So many lovely inspirational books to discover, Craftyme. I think the hobby artists do tend to follow the ones closest to their own style.
When I received the, Botanical sketch book, I went out and bought an A3 sketc pad for my practice work, as I do like to get as much detail in as possible, the whole plant and then component parts.
I shall look into the class, seems very reasonable, see how I get on, as I am thinking of doing the distance learning course with the Society of Botanical Artists but you have to first show a good mastery of your botanical work, not an easy course or an inexpensive one.
Thanks for the info, about the class.
Edited
by carol
Posted
Thank you for the info Carol and Margaret. I have several botanical painting books, A-Z Flower Portraits, Billy Showell, A-Z Botanical Flowers in Watercolour - Michael Lakin. One to do with the Eden Project and I'm sure one from Anna Mason (can't put my paws on that at the moment. The thing is I have to be shown in the flesh so these tutorials should be ideal. I shall investigate those other books you have mentioned.
I think I will stick with Billy Margaret. Good luck with the black iris - I shall look forward to seeing it up on the gallery.
Posted
Thank you EBla - I am going to have a jolly good try.
Sylvia - I love so many styles plus the large loose ones, but I always come back to the more detailed paintings, and watercolour is a medium I love to see but can't as yet conquer. So it is going to be very interesting and I may end up hairless by the end of it!
Posted
I take my hat off to you, Adele! As you know, I struggle with watercolours too, and I think a bit of tuition for me would be an excellent idea1 Sadly, time has been so tight recently, I've hardly had time to paint at all.
Good luck with it and I'm looking forward to seeing some wonderful paintings from you very soon
Bob Singfield
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