I enjoy being on this site. However, I made the mistake of judging my work by others who are better due to their experience and talent and better artists than me. Why did I write this for me mostly. I also wrote it for every person on this site who may at sometime have felt or feel like I did. This site is not judgemental and is very supportive. I used my impression of the site to judge myself.
The last two months have been difficult in terms of painting for me. I returned to the hobby after 30 years and painted some alright busts in oils. I have tried to paint two 90mm figures I had from years ago and two 75mm figures I bought as a practice. I followed my original plan of working in acrylics and oils, two mediums I have had little experience but researched widely.
The paint was too thick, and I kept making rooky mistakes and hated what they became. I was at a point yesterday where I was beginning to think I had invested money in the hobby, and I could not see myself continuing.
The two 75mm figures were plain, almost base-coated. I sat and thought about my modelling so far and used my own advice from my life skill coaching. I started to strip the two 90mm figures, as the paintwork could not to be saved. I got out some pots of Humbrol enamel that I have had for years and started to block out the 75mm figures in enamel. All my painting of figures from years ago were in enamel, and it was like saying ‘hello’ to an old friend. Going back to the basics inspired me and showed that I can achieve. Everything came back to me: the consistency of the paint, the brush strokes, techniques and most importantly, my confidence.
I do not think I will be as good as some of the painters on this site. However, I will not stop trying. I will enjoy my painting, the reason I returned. I am going to post photos of my work on the site soon.
I am in Merseyside from next week for two weeks. I am coming to see my family. If any oilers might have an hour or so to show me some tips in the area, I’d love to spend time with you. If not, onwards and upwards.
Thank you for reading this. I needed to vent my fustration to people who I hope would understand.
The last two months have been difficult in terms of painting for me. I returned to the hobby after 30 years and painted some alright busts in oils. I have tried to paint two 90mm figures I had from years ago and two 75mm figures I bought as a practice. I followed my original plan of working in acrylics and oils, two mediums I have had little experience but researched widely.
The paint was too thick, and I kept making rooky mistakes and hated what they became. I was at a point yesterday where I was beginning to think I had invested money in the hobby, and I could not see myself continuing.
The two 75mm figures were plain, almost base-coated. I sat and thought about my modelling so far and used my own advice from my life skill coaching. I started to strip the two 90mm figures, as the paintwork could not to be saved. I got out some pots of Humbrol enamel that I have had for years and started to block out the 75mm figures in enamel. All my painting of figures from years ago were in enamel, and it was like saying ‘hello’ to an old friend. Going back to the basics inspired me and showed that I can achieve. Everything came back to me: the consistency of the paint, the brush strokes, techniques and most importantly, my confidence.
I do not think I will be as good as some of the painters on this site. However, I will not stop trying. I will enjoy my painting, the reason I returned. I am going to post photos of my work on the site soon.
I am in Merseyside from next week for two weeks. I am coming to see my family. If any oilers might have an hour or so to show me some tips in the area, I’d love to spend time with you. If not, onwards and upwards.
Thank you for reading this. I needed to vent my fustration to people who I hope would understand.
