One of my friends said I should name this painting Senorita Bonita. I like that. I had fun painting this one.
Senorita Bonita
Painting
Dress Painting
I kind of like this painting. The texture on the bodice was intentional. I thought about going back and adding some sparkly paint, but I think I’ll leave it alone. The painting is not my original. I copied a painting I found on Pinterest. Soon I hope to be doing my own original work, but I’m not there yet.
I’ve always heard that it takes 10,000 hours to get good at something. Today I ran across a TED video that says you can get good at painting – or many other things – in only 20 hours. I don’t know about that, we’ll see. I don’t think I’ve spent 20 hours painting. Maybe 10-12. I guess I have something to look forward to soon. I’ll just keep on keeping on.
Beach Scene Part Deux
I attempted to paint a beach scene a second time, and this was the result. A lot better, but still a lot of room to grow. Consistency is key, from what I’m told. The palm tree leaves came out better than in past attempts.
I’ve been watching SkillShare videos on acrylic blending techniques. After watching three such videos, I ordered these round brushes. I only need one, I think, but this came with three for only $2.00 less than buying one. You know…a girl and a sale…I also ordered this pack of two color wheels after the video showed what can happen if you mix colors that are across the color wheel from each other. Some of them turn muddy or brown. We don’t want that to happen, and it already has several times.
I looked at blending medium as well, but haven’t ordered any yet. One thing I really want is an art portfolio to store some of my paintings. I’ve looked at some, but haven’t found the right one yet. There really isn’t a right one, but just one that grabs me and says, “I must come and live with you.”
One Percent Better Per Day
I stole this picture from “Ken Carter.” Thanks, Ken.
My motto for 2022 is “1% better is Better.”
I don’t exactly make New Year’s resolutions, but I do set goals. Resolutions sound so vague and breakable, but goals can be defined and refined and broken down into do-able pieces. I guess resolutions can too, but they have such a negative connotation.
This year’s goals are helping me to prepare for my second act. Maybe I’m too old to be going for a second act, maybe it’s my third act. Whatever. I’m still calling it my second act. What I’m referring to as my second act is preparing for what I’ll do after my eventual retirement.
I don’t plan to retire any time soon. My plan is to work another five to ten years. That said, wouldn’t it be cool to spend my retirement years painting and writing? Maybe a little teaching university students? I already have all I need to teach university students and to research and write. I want to spend this time before retirement learning to paint.
I’m committed to painting an hour a day every day in 2022 and watching one Skillshare painting video per day. That will give me 365 hours of painting and 365 Skillshare videos. That won’t make me an expert, but it will bring me 720 hours closer to my painting desires. Some things are hard to measure in percentages, but those things I can measure in time spent on them.
Not the Beach
Yesterday, I was going to paint a beach scene. For some reason, it wasn’t working out at all. It was just lines of color that wouldn’t form into anything recognizable, so I decided to paint over it with my palette knife. I actually like the result. It reminds me of fire.
It’s odd, but after I painted this, I had the strangest dream last night. I’m not going into any details, but in the dream I felt angry. It was a level of anger I have never felt before. I was angry in every fiber of my being and was ranting like a psycho. It wasn’t a crazy kind of thing. Someone did something really crappy, and I was appropriately angry for what happened. In my dream, I expressed every shred of anger I’ve ever felt in my life. I awoke feeling peaceful, like I rid my body of years of angst.
I’m starting to think art is as cathartic as I’ve heard. It makes me feel, and I don’t usually feel a wide range of emotions. I like it. I’m growing.
A Little Abstract
I thought I’d try something a little different – different for me. It’s not a self portrait. I should be so lucky. I’m kind of fond of this little painting.
Painting Practice
As I mentioned in previous posts, I bought this cute little art journal book to practice painting. So far, the flower painting above is my favorite.
Obviously, I paint better than I write, and that’s not saying much at this point. But whatever. It’ll get better with time and practice. My son said snarkily that he has a Cricut Explore Air 2 Blue Machine Bundle – Beginner DigitalGuide, Tool Kit, Vinyl, Designs so he doesn’t have bad lettering in his projects.
I was all happy with the pink and purple one until I did the writing. I’m considering painting the page on the right white and then using it again for something else.
I’m dreaming of the day I can paint something from a photo or a still life, and especially a real scene. I’m happy with my progress as a total beginner, but looking forward to better days. Today, I ordered another little book. It’s exactly like the one I’ve been using, but it’s a little bit larger. Paul Rubens Watercolor Paper Block, Premium Leather Cover Artist Quality Hot Pressed Paper for Watercolors and Wet Media Block, 100 Percent Cotton, 7.68 x 5.31 inches, 140lb, 20 Sheets (Pink)
Not Even Cute
Now this is just ugly. I saw this cute pair of paintings online and thought they would be cute in my bathroom. The first mistake I made was giving this poor lady unflattering facial features. The second mistake was using watercolor pens. I think I’m going to paint over this whole painting with acrylic and use the paper again for something else.
I’ve watched a number of videos that demonstrate the use of watercolor pens, but I can’t seem to make them work for me. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead. I do so much better with acrylics. Watercolors aren’t nearly as forgiving as acrylics. You can paint over acrylics until you achieve the desired effect. Not so with watercolors. This is not my talent. I don’t even feel much desire to try to improve it.
One thing I’m working on that I really like is a female nude abstract. I don’t know if it’s okay to post that here, but it’s coming along pretty great. Well…my definition of “great” might be a little loose.
I received the cute little watercolor notebook I ordered from Amazon. I’m going to use it for my acrylic painting challenge. I think I’ll practice some blending and backgrounds in it and then add stuff. I’m not sure what yet. Here is the little book I ordered. I chose the pink one.
I’m ready to move on from Christmas paintings, but I’m not yet sure what’s next. I’ll eventually do some Easter paintings because my daughter likes to decorate for all the holidays. Maybe some winter in Texas paintings? I’m in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, and it’s very tropical here. We have palm trees and hibiscus in the winter. That could make some interesting paintings. I’m going to look into that.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!
Stuck Santa
This is one of my favorite little paintings. I had fun painting it. It’s on a little 6″ x 4″ postcard size watercolor paper. I painted a lot more this weekend and last weekend than I usually do. They were all fun and easy Christmas paintings. This is another one that I saw on Pinterest, so not an original design.
A Little Grinchy
I can be a bit of a Grinch at Christmas. I know y’all didn’t think that about me, but it’s absolutely true. I’m more of a routine sort of girl, and holidays throw my routines out of whack. People have expectations at Christmas, and I don’t like it when people expect anything of me. It gives me an oppressive feeling…a feeling of being oppressed. Crazy, right?
Maybe a lot of people are closet Grinches. I posted this painting on Facebook, and everybody said it was their favorite. Why do people say Christmas is magical? Where is the magic? What is the magic? I must be lacking something. I remember the excitement of being a child and going to the Christmas parade. It felt like my heart was in my throat when the bands went by. I no longer get that feeling. I only get the feeling of stress caused by the expectations of others.
So…the Grinch. I like this painting.