My Work

[Sandra1701]

I explained that I just started painting in May 2012. I am really excited about it. I wanted to show you my first work, and ask you for advice

[Sandra1701]

[Sandra1701]

[Sandra1701]

17 people have looked so far, but no comments.......I am going crazy here =)

[mixedmedia5]

I love the feeling you have created in your "Healer" painting. Just a sign on the door and the cane. You immediately created a painting of hope. We all need that. Good work and keep it up.

Keep exploring your imagination.

Monica

[Alan P. in OC]

To really give good advice, I'd have to know just how you want to paint, what style, who/what paintings you admire, etc.

What I do like is that your color mixes are really good, not garish at all, and show a good range of values. The second painting, the rock formation (tree stump?) has a particularly good background and sky and sense of light/shadow.

In the other two paintings the foliage masses need some work, more distinction between lights/darks. Maybe try a layered approach. Composition-wise it's not a good idea usually to put something smack dab in the middle of the piece, and in the 3rd painting the big wooden wall takes up a lot of the painting and the barn's perspective is off.

Hope that helps, good luck, keep painting!

[DAK723]

At this stage in your painting - having just begun - I wouldn't worry to much about getting comments. Every person will say something different which will just confuse you, in all likelihood. (For example, I think your foliage is pretty good and does not need more indication of dark and light. Landscapes are different than still lifes or portraits in that they are more about masses and not so much about light and shadow - usually! I also think your rock formation is so strong, it almost has to be in the middle of the composition. Your background shapes are different on each side keeping the composition from being symmetrical - that's the most important thing). While there are some basic principles in art - much is in the eye of the beholder - as you can see!

Learning to paint consists of two basic elements: The technical aspects of using the materials and mixing paint. With every painting you will continue to get more experience with the technical aspects - so keep practicing.

The second element is learning all the principles of painting - composition, color theory, perspective, etc. These can't be learned in a short time! Getting books or Dvds from the library, renting or buying, will help you with these other elements - as will taking classes and watching tutorials online. Those things will help you fix the perspective in painting #3, for example.

You are off to an excellent start! Keep practicing and have fun! That is the most important thing at this point, in my opinion!

[Sandra1701]

YIPPIE, oh thank you so much for all of your comments! I can't tell you how much joy it is to have other artists comment on my paintings =).....but then you all probably know.

I am so thrilled that my "Healer" painting created a feeling of hope. It is for a dear friend of mine, a doctor who saved my little brothers life. The doctor is a gamer, and in real life he uses a cain. I have been nervous about giving it to him because I want him to love it!

Perspective is so hard for me. I ruined a couple of paintings already due to that. The huge fence in the third painting started off as a dead tree....that did NOT work, LOL. I tried to cover it up.

I have had to learn not to be symmetrical, I guess it is working. I am so happy.

I will keep trying, I am having a blast.

Thank you all so very much!

[Geekette]

You're doing great so far; these pieces are fantastic compared to my first works. At this point, no advice I can give will be as helpful as just taking brush to canvas. Don't be afraid to experiment and get things 'wrong'. You'll learn a lot that way.

[Sandra1701]

Originally Posted by Geekette

You're doing great so far; these pieces are fantastic compared to my first works. At this point, no advice I can give will be as helpful as just taking brush to canvas. Don't be afraid to experiment and get things 'wrong'. You'll learn a lot that way.

THANK YOU!

[Toril]

I'm envious that you have completed 3 paintings. That seems to be a problem for me, and I started a year before you did.

I really like the healer, it triggers the imagination. A storytelling painting, like an illustration in a book.

I like the rock, it's very strong. I don't know if the photo renders it correctly, but it looks to me like the sun is about to break through a layer of clouds, and that is very nicely done, I think.

The last one suffers perhaps a little from the cover-up - did you try to remove the paint and start over? That's absolutely possible with oil paint. I still like it, I think maybe because there seems to be a harmony in the colors throughout the painting.

I'd like to see better pictures of them... I find it terribly difficult to take decent photos of my painting attempts. They are all so unphotogenic.

[Sandra1701]

Thanks Toril!
Yes the last one suffers from cover-up....he he he. I have discovered the paint....scrape....paint method now, LOL
The paintings never look as as good posted as they do in person.

I have one painting I should post just for comic relief. It is under water. The water is fine, but the "dolphins" are hideous. I think maybe I should stick to landscapes!

[tuzigoot]

Just fyi - the normal ratio of views to replies on most forums is about 1:20 or 30, so please don't feel like you've been snubbed.

[Sandra1701]

Originally Posted by tuzigoot

Just fyi - the normal ratio of views to replies on most forums is about 1:20 or 30, so please don't feel like you've been snubbed.

Thank you

And no, I don't feel snubbed at all, just the opposite. I am simply delighted at how nice all of you are. You are a fantastic group of wonderful, creative people!

[Eduardo Flores]

Interesting atmosphere: mystery, loneliness, the impression ob being waiting for something ready to happen...
Beautiful views!

Eduardo