Tips for a Beginner Painter

[captcalhoun]

i like it

 

[thestrangequark]

I've finished it! I had to take a few days off, just because I ddin't have time to paint, but it's nearly 6am and after an all-nighter, I'm done! He's far from a masterpiece, but I think I've really progressed over the course of these four paintings. I experimented some more with texture, which was fun. This was my first time painting clothes, which was challenging. So, painting number four:

 

[captcalhoun]

beautiful. well done

 

[RJDiogenes]

That came out really nice. It's amazing how consistent the eyes and other facial features are from one painting to the other.

 

[thestrangequark]

Thanks guys! As to the consistency, they're all the same painting! Just different layers. Once I finished a feature I pretty much left it as it was, so the eyes haven't changed at all since the fist photo (although the color looks a little different because for the first couple of photos I used my phone camera).

 

[MetalPants]

When I used to paint landscapes in oils, I always followed a specific series of steps...

First spread an acrylic base on the canvas. It was like primer.
Then trace the image I wanted onto the canvas. A lot of times, I would take an image out of a magazine or something, copy it onto just regular paper, then use carbon paper to put the outlines onto the canvas.
Finally, start painting. Work from the top down, and of course put any prominent features, such as a tree or whatever in last on top of the background.

For me, the hardest part was using the fan brush to paint like leaves or bunches of flowers.

 

[RJDiogenes]

As to the consistency, they're all the same painting! Just different layers.

Ohh, when you said 'four paintings,' I thought you started from scratch each time.

 

[thestrangequark]

^Oh, no, I just meant I've now done four paintings in all.

Metal Pants, I don't think I'd have the patience to be so meticulous! I'd love to see some of your paintings though -- you ought to post them!

 

[MetalPants]

I haven't painted in about 20 years, and I think I had given all of them away as gifts.

But your various threads about painting do bring back that urge to be creative though.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

When I used to paint landscapes in oils, I always followed a specific series of steps...

First spread an acrylic base on the canvas. It was like primer.
Then trace the image I wanted onto the canvas. A lot of times, I would take an image out of a magazine or something, copy it onto just regular paper, then use carbon paper to put the outlines onto the canvas.
Finally, start painting. Work from the top down, and of course put any prominent features, such as a tree or whatever in last on top of the background.

For me, the hardest part was using the fan brush to paint like leaves or bunches of flowers.

That's not too dissimilar to how I've taken to doing freehand computer art, such as the snow landscape I made and published on this thread last year. I haven't done anything like that since, but I have a new one planned, although it's more of a portrait than a landscape...