boy am i nervous :)

[don perkins]

hi everyone.
i feel apprehensive about posting here, considering the abilities and talent of the 'gang' that frequents this forum. I have to say that i'm amazed and inspired by everyone here. Enough so that i've decided to try scratchboard again. I did one piece, about 17 years ago in college, so i'm starting back small to get myself going. This is a study of a gorilla at 2.5"x3.5" on some off brand scratchboard. Not really finished, just working on textures. sorry about the cellphone picture :(
I have a sheet of essdee, and just ordered some Ampersand whitebord.i can't wait to work on them.
I've been lurking for a couple weeks here, and i look forward to learning from you all..
thanks for looking,
don

[Tonalea]

This is excellent for a new attempt! Especially for such a small board. Definitely looking forward to more!

[hectorstudio]

I love the lighting and the composition. very good start... and welcome!

[PatrickHedges]

Oh now that is a neat crop!! Looks like we have a natural!!

[XQB]

You are definitely a natural, Don. I really look forward to more of your scratchwork! Welcome a"board"!

[03ahmed]

Wonderful piece!

[Diane Cutter]

Oh, this is lovely... and so tiny. I look forward to seeing your final tweakings.

Diane

[SueR]

Great start and super pose you've chosen!

[Obedec]

Super piece, this is one forum you needn't worry about, it's the most supportive group around and you'll fit right in.
Karen

[ARTMUTT]

Welcome! This looks good I like the lighting and you have a soft touch for the detail in the face--yep, you're going to be just fine in here!!!

[Diana Lee]

Welcome!! Anyone who posts a gorilla playing peek a boo will fit in very nicely here. Great composition!

Diana

[Ltaniea]

Welcome welcome don perkins. Throw your apprehension away because you'll be right at home here with a start like that! Looks awesome. Especially for so small - great control!

[don perkins]

OH MY GOSH... ( hmm this is going to be a long post to thank everyone, sorry!)
thanks everyone! I really didn't expect this many people to look at it.
Thanks so much for the great and positive comments, and from all of you whose work is so inspirational to me.. wow!
My reference for this one is a small, bad photo snapped of a gorilla shifting his eyes toward me. I'm not sure how much more i'll do on this one, the photo was so poor that i don't want to invent detail for it. I may just start working on my cat photo, and try to learn how you guys do fur.
I'm heading out to lunch in a bit to get some SARAL transfer stuff, my homeade alcohol and pencil rubbing or alcohol and chalk don't seem to be transferring onto the essdee board very well.
Thanks Kristen! i appreciate that, i'll definitely post my work for my cat piece.
Thank you Hectorstudio, i'm sure i just got lucky with it!
Patrick, hi! and thanks so much. I like the tactile process of working with scratchboard, i guess that helps! :)
Matthew, thank you very much! i already feel welcome here!
Thanks Irfan!
Diane, thank you! luckily, i like working small.. i do some of the ATC cards, they're a lot of fun, so i thought i'd make a scratchboard test of one.
Hi SueR, thanks a lot!
Karen, thank you, and i feel cozy already hahaha :)
BethAnn, thank you for looking at my work, and the nice comment!
Diana, wow! thanks, i'm glad you think so! I appreciate it very much!
L'taniea, thank you, i feel much better than i did last night! I will endeavor to learn from you all!
thanks so much everyone for making me feel so welcome!
don

[Crias]

Don welcome to the forum- such a tiny work, but lots of emotion in that face. Definately give ampersand black scratchboard a try too- I think you will love it! Maybe even more than the essdee. I look forward to seeing your future posts.

[Celticelf]

Oh yeah, you're home. Glad you made it cause we've kept the light on for you :)

[artbymartin]

Nervous??!!....why? You are natural...fantastic work for such a small piece..wow. Welcome and hope to see more of your work!

[RSchafe]

Great looking Gorilla Don! A year ago, I was in your shoes, just getting started after a few attempts many years ago. I must say I've learned an amazing amount from everyone on this forum. Hope to see more of your work.

Rich

[don perkins]

Thanks Cathy! And thanks for the board advice. I had ordered white, without knowing what i was doing, so i'm ordering some black tonight, along with inks... i've been reading the threads a lot today, i'm learning.
Terri, i feel at home! haha thanks. I read that you're from Cumberland Gap, right? My Dad was from LaFollette, my Mom from just outside Jellico :) i was born in Oak Ridge, and have been moving steadily east... it IS a small world.
wow Martin, thanks for the great welcome! i truly appreciate the comments!
Rich, i hope to learn as much as you guys will teach me! Thanks for liking my work!

I do appreciate everyone's Comments! thanks so much. i do feel welcome here, it's a great community, and a great group of incredibly talented folks. Thank you.
and now, to try my hand at the Saral transfer sheets i bought at lunch! :)
don

[lorna12]

Yup...definitely nothing to be nervous about...looks like you'll fit in here just fine! I really like your gorilla!

[SID3WAYZ]

Welcome to the forum!!! This is a great piece. Once you get the ampersands boards you'll see a world of difference... can't wait to see more of your work!!!

[don perkins]

Hi Lorna! thank you. And i really like this forum, it's a great group.
thank you SID3WAYZ! i appreciate it
i ordered some Ampersand black last night, and have white coming in already... can't wait to play with it!
thank you all!
don

[Harry Seymour]

You show a lot of promise and I for one am glad your picking up the boards once again.

[don perkins]

Thank you Harry, i appreciate the kind words, and i'm glad i've started scratching again as well..i really enjoy working on scratchboard!
thanks all!
don

[Snuzin Susan]

Oh welcome! and what a wonderful beginning. You really nailed the personality in this piece!

-Susan

[pamelalbd]

I think working small is waaaaayyyyy harder, that's why this little piece get's a huge thumbs up from me. Beautiful capture of an instant in time, such expression and personality. I love your looseness and fantastic use of back light and reflected light to set the scene! I can't wait to see more of your work. Welcome Home finally! Your gonna like it here. :thumbsup:

[don perkins]

Mornin' Susan! :) you're prolly snuzin' right now, but i had to say thanks for the welcome, and for the nice words!
Hi Pamela! thank you! I do like working small, but as i'm finding on the piece in progress that i'm just getting ready to post, it IS hard... those li'l scratches are killer! Yes, the look on his face was wonderful, and even though the actual photo isn't very good (through dirty glass and reflections) I had to try to capture it. Thanks so much, i like it here very much!
don

[don perkins]

Mornin' Susan! :) you're prolly snuzin' right now, but i had to say thanks for the welcome, and for the nice words!
Hi Pamela! thank you! I do like working small, but as i'm finding on the piece in progress that i'm just getting ready to post, it IS hard... those li'l scratches are killer! Yes, the look on his face was wonderful, and even though the actual photo isn't very good (through dirty glass and reflections) I had to try to capture it. Thanks so much, i like it here very much!
don