Art as a therapeutic hobby... - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Art as a therapeutic hobby...

catgirl

Veteran

I've started painting for fun as a creative outlet. No skills or training or talent, just kind of winging it for now. Using acrylic because it's so forgiving. Anyway, here are two projects I just did at the cabin. I'm using really small canvas so I can practice without waste and get a sense of what I like to paint. Both are from photos.

What do you think? Does anyone here paint, and what suggestions do you have for a total amateur as far as basics?

Off Topic

32 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

rachylou

Veteran

These are quite nice! Are you sure you have no education on the subject? Lol. You seem to have a grasp of point perspective I think experimenting with different brushes and ways of 'jabbing' at the canvas is very useful. And working on underpainting is good. Also, I want to say I like a good layer of paint on a canvas. I hate it when it looks like a person called it quits with the underpainting... mimble schmimble...makes me very very cross, hehe

catgirl

Veteran

Rachy, agree! I am learning to be patient, let things dry and come back to add layers. Also to do a good sketch beforehand if I can. Thanks for that advice!

JAileen

Veteran

I took a community education drawing class and learned a lot. But I don't know anything about paint. I did learn that doing a picture takes time, even with pencil. Hours even. I love the dog picture.

Peri

Veteran

Really love the dog picture...fun and bold and colorful! Love the colors in the trees one too!

SandyG

Veteran

I LOVE ACRYLIC PAINTS even though my artist friends sneer at them and heavily suggest oils. I'm impatient, self-taught and love color. My best suggestion is to watch color theory/mixing tutorials and learn to mix your colors, which lends verve and artistry to your darks and blacks. This alone gives a unifying, painterly look to whatever you do. It's worth the time and effort! Keep track of where the light is coming from. Good brushes are worth the money, too. Add wine -- we do this with friends in class -- and have tons of fun "Fear no easel" is our motto.

doubleh

Veteran

Agreeing with SandyG. These are great- though I suspect you are attracted to the medium bc you already have an instinct for color, line, proportion, etc.

I sometimes like to use take the same subject matter and repeat using different techniques- watered down acrylics, thick putty knife application, non-realistic colors, black/white, etc...the pup seems a great subject for technique exploring!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have no advice but I love these! They have personality and dynamism and humour.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

The dog reminds me of a local mural artist, henry.
http://www.ryanhenryward.com/

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh fun! Actually they are quite nice. I don't know if I would do as well. I haven't painted since high school. I have considered taking a class just for fun.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

these are great! love the pup. I agree with rachylou, layers of paint build up the depth well. you might try some clear acrylic gel medium (gloss or matte) which you mix with your paint to add body and transparency, like a glaze. its very fun! you can layer over previous paint

Gaylene

Veteran

Hey, I just started dabbling in acrylics and watercolours as well. I figured it was about time to add my contributions to the Bad Art Collective.

I've taken a few classes, watched some videos, and bought a couple of "get started" books. I keep my expectations low so my enthusiasm stays high. I've found I love mixing my own colours and enjoy working on larger canvases. Probably the best part of my dabbling is that it has made me even more appreciative of how hard it is to do what appears deceptively easy to a novice eye. I truly think more people would grab a brush if they knew how much fun it can be to not worry about producing "art" and to just relax into being an enthusiastic novice.

kerlyn

Veteran

These are great, Una! I love what Gaylene said about relaxing into it and just enjoying it. I also love acrylics and have never had the interest in oils. I find a lot of freedom in that!

catgirl

Veteran

Hey, all you painters - let's see some of your work! Love the advice...

Chris987

Veteran

I don't know about "no skills, training or talent"...your feel for perspective, composition, color are pretty awesome for someone with no background. Also they have a great feeling about them which in some ways is the hardest thing to do. I took a few art classes in college as a theater major but can't remember much so no advice on the mechanics of paint etc. Keep it up!

JamC

Veteran

Nice paintings Una! Agreeing that painting is therapeutic and relaxing. My 86 year old Dad started painting with acrylics when he retired (no training). Over the past 10 years, I have spent many afternoons painting with him; he needs me to get out the materials and clean up now. I love the act of putting the paint on the canvas. I have no training or skill but do enjoy creating my own paintings. I haven't progressed past the copying pictures or other paintings yet...but that's okay! I love the advice above to add layers of paint, try different techniques with the same subject, keep expectations low, and just enjoy the process.

Traci

Veteran

I love to paint, although I haven't in a while.

- Nice brushes, yes!
- Michaels and Dick Blick sell multipacks of canvases. We stock up around the holidays.
-I keep an eye out for huge canvases at rummage sales and thrift stores. Sometimes for $5 you can buy an ugly, framed piece. Gesso over the painting and you've got a wonderful huge canvas to work on. I have even skipped the gesso step and painted right on top before, using the textures and forms of the existing painting, but changing up the color scheme completely.

viva

Veteran

I love these, Una. So fantastic. I'm not sure if I like one more than the other -- the pup is great in a strong graphic way, but i love how your trees are sort of wistful. You are exhibiting some real range. It will be fun to see how far you can take this.

I started my graphic memoir project this weekend and it's amazing - it's really beginning to turn into something interesting. Therapeutic but also challenging in some good ways.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have done a lot of painting in the past but lately I mostly use watercolor with very saturated, colorful abstract designs that hint at landscapes and floral but are not realistic in any traditional sense. I have used acrylic but I go back to watercolor because I love the "flowing" method of painting so much. It does take patience to let layers dry before being able to add more depth. I also like that I can take a small watercolor "kit" with me on the go.

Daniel Smith used to have some good tutorials but there are wonderful books too - it just depends on your interest, realism vs. abstract for example.

I took a number of classes and did everything from life drawing to multi-media to plein air landscape. I even participated in a few shows.

One of the first classes I took was collage and watercolor. We used varoius art papers (rice paper with embedded natural leaves, fibers, etc.). We used a transparent acrylic medium for glue. I loved that class and it really got me going.

Traci

Veteran

This isn't the best picture of the painting, but this is one I painted on top of a thrift store buy.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

I like your paintings, they show joy and a playful spirit. The dog portrait really has personality, too! Isn't it fun to express yourself artistically? I took a mosaic class recently, and just got lost in it. (The bird looks like it's wearing giant yellow boots, but it's supposed to be a flower. Oh well, I'll just call it "Bird Wearing Wellies", I guess!)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

catgirl

Veteran

Love the mosaic! Put A Bird On It? And the idea of reusing old paintings is brilliant!

Anonymous

Yes, you have grasped my aesthetic: put a bird on it, and call it a day!

anne

Veteran

Una, I have no advice at all, but just wanted to say I'm so impressed by your paintings and at the level of skill and advice shown in this thread.

SarahTheWhite

Veteran

Love it! I do especiallly love the dog. I have done a lot with acrylics, but I have no idea what I'm doing. My stuff is usually pretty abstract and I end up getting my hands and paper towels into the paint more than brushes. I am intrigued by oils but the smell worries me and I am just uncertain over all about how to do it. I'm enjoying the advice from everyone.

catgirl

Veteran

Here's the one I did Sunday from a painting I saw on Pinterest!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Veteran

Quite wonderful! Glorious water and sky. Takes you straight in.

Helen11

Veteran

So many talented people here. I like all your paintings, Una. I've been intrigued by a current Australian TV show where the host, Anh Do, paints a portrait of his guest while interviewing them. He uses an enormous canvas and applies thick layers of paint with cake decorating tools!
Have fun with your painting, and do show us some more.

ETA link to the show: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/progr.....with-fame/

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I read this yesterday and didn't have a chance to reply.

My favorite thing to do with acrylics really is to prepare my colors, thinking about three or four on some aspect of my subject, and gently drag the paintbrush through many of them, three or four times, every couple of strokes. I just like the depth that this adds. There's usually not one solid color on my paintbrush.

Here's a lion I'm working on for a project.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Ooh I really like your newest painting. I see you don't need help understanding perspective. It's a really soothing piece, beautiful.

12