Hobbies and Crafts

Me - for close to 20 years now! My main medium is photography, but I also do painting and life drawing.

I went to art school after I finished high school. Major in photography with minors in painting, drawing and printmaking.

And another one to bring back up.

Jude have you managed to track down any more paintings on EBay by your Grandfather. Not seen you talking about him lately. Needed an excuse to nudge this thread up as somebody is apparently complaining about /Greaders dominating the board.

Hi.....my grandfather was Bernad Meninsky an amazing artist, also myuncle phillip meninsky......look them up on google? ldid go to classes and did an A level at 6th form collage when l was about 40 yrs old, got a D, never good enough to sell any though:~{

jude

Never used gesso at all, I work with water to blend, and white to tamper down the vividness of the colours....never had painters block....I go to a local club where our teacher encourages and advises, she isn't into us all painting the same. I am still into impressionistic paintings, good way to do buildings. We have a yearly exhibitions

Is that at the same time as the Hobbycraft Show? I went to that last year and came out to a blizzard!! lol.

Annx,
I thought gesso was a primer too, but obviously it's much more versatile than I first thought, must give it a go! I have also tried using texture paste and it gives a lovely 3D effect to your paintings. I'm not what you would call a regular or 'good' painter unfortunately it's a question of getting time and being left alone long enough to concentrate on what I'm supposed to be doing, but I do find it relaxing, primarily I use Acrylic and Oil. Anyone else out there going to the 'Art Materials Live' at the NEC in November?
Sue

I thought that gesso was primarily used as a primer and it appears it can also be used as a thickener and to give a texture on a surface.

I use the moulding materials including modelling paste to help make printing plates which I imprint with texture to help give a relief. The modelling paste can be mixed with acrylic paint as well. I apply in thin layers and leave to dry. I am sure someone else will be able to advise you better than I can The one thing I have found is that often products have multiple ways of using and I often use products from hardware stores

I have printed on fabric - silk and cotton - but mostly use paper. Sadly the happy accidents are more successful often than the thought out pieces

Does anyone know how to use gesso with acrylic paint? I bought a pot months ago and it's stayed on the shelf untouched. I don't know if you thin it, use it to thicken acrylic paint to give it texture or scrape it on with a knife, say to do mountains that you can then lightly touch with colour to get a rock effect. Also, is it supposed to dry first and then be painted on or do you mix paint with it?

That sounds an interesting class K. Do you print your own fabric ?

I also need outside help to get me started again. I enrolled in a class which starts later in the month on printing and making printing plates, including lino cut and silk aquatint. I did the same class last year and really enjoyed it and it certainly focuses the mind.

I used to paint on silk as well and often use the same gutta and silk that I used in silk painting in making printing plates, in addition to glues, acrylics and polyfilla!!

The happy accidents often make the best and most imaginative prints :-)

Yes, that's just what I find GinN! Yet once I get going and things are looking ok I am completely absorbed, don't want to stop and can't wait to paint each feature of the picture. I've learned as well to practice the effect I want on a scrap of paper before doing it on the actual painting as that really helps when you are inexperienced like me! I'm definitely not a brave painter with bold strokes!! :-)

Annx, I suffer from painters block all the time! For long periods of time I can't bring myself to pick up a brush! When I do, if things don't come out the way I want them, I abandon it again! But, once I get going, it's like you're on a high, and nothing else matters!

I did have a look at the Art classes in this area this winter Diane, but most are 'mixed ability' which puts me off a bit! I'm not a million miles from the NEC and noticed last time that there was a Bob Ross class being held. If I go again I will see if I can get on it.

I was at the Islington event. I agree it was the best value for money I've ever had. I could only paint stick figures but all my life I have desperately wanted to paint.. I had all the paint, brushes and canvas but hadn't the courage to even try. At the grand old age of 63 I did it. I have even sold quite a few. Artists say everyone can paint it is a matter of practice so find a little class the fact there is a tutor will make you try harder. I also believed artists could just sit down and turn out paintings from memory and without effort. I Also found out this isn't true as they can discard many before they achieve what they are looking for. This also helped to see that if I didn't get it right first it didn't mean I was a failure. So just go for it all you who would love to paint. :) xxx

I love watching Bob Ross too, he makes it look so easy. I went on one of his one day courses a couple of years ago (I think it's run on a franchise & the tutors are trained up the Bob Ross way). I had never worked with oils before but the tutor takes you through every step and I came away with a beautiful mountain scene. No-one believed I had done it! It gives you a bit more confidence to know you can produce something good with just a bit of help.
I paint mainly in watercolours and until quite recently had always painted flat on A4 or smaller and in fairly wishy washy colours. About 18 months ago I started some different classes where they never use paper smaller than A3, always use big brushes and really splash it all over so you need to have your board at an angle! We are taught how to mix colours and encouraged to only buy artists quality paint. It has certainly improved my painting, I have learnt more in this short time than I did in as many years with other tutors.
So stick with it Ann and have the courage to experiment. If it all goes wrong then you've learnt something. If you can afford it, see if there are any Bob Ross tutors in your area - it will give your confidence a real boost to come home with a "Bob" and hang it on your wall.

Happy painting

Diane

Yes, that is a good idea Diane, I must look at more books! I like watching Bob Ross on TV and find myself wanting to pick up a brush after watching him. Apart from a couple of pictures, I tend to have done small , detailed pictures, card size or about 10"x8" up to now . For some reason I find it easier to work on a flat surface and not my table easel, but feel I really ought to try to change my habits as it isn't easy to do a bigger picture on the flat!! Was anyone else the same when they started painting......or am I just odd!! :-S

Thanks for that info Von. I'm going to our local arts & crafts supplies shop next week to stock up on some bits so I'll look out for those. The artist I saw demonstrating was using wax and also some salt to give a sort of spreading spiky effect. I think I'll have to just experiment for a while, but I've got so many ideas buzzing round I can't wait to start.

Ann with painter's block!
When I first started I was like that but you have to say to yourself "how much does this piece of paper cost". Not enough to worry about messing up now and again. Look at as many tuition books as you can get your hands on - they really do fire the imagination. And as I have been told many times - artists don't make mistakes, they just have happy accidents!

Happy painting

Diane

Diane
If you want to do some silk painting you mount the silk on a wooden frame and use special silk pins.
Both readily available.

Having said that you could use an embroidery frame. I use a plastic one then you can wipe off any paint when you have finished.

I love painting on silk but I use procion dyes and use them like watercolours.
There are lots of silk paints available and books showing you various techniques.
Personally I just experiment and often use wax as a resist.

Have fun
Von

Does anyone else get painter's 'block'? :-S I have only just started painting and have done about half a dozen paintings and cards in acrylic. I agonise for ages before I start though in case I mess up!!

If anyone else is thinking about displaying their artwork, could I suggest that you talk to your local library?

The one I work in often exhibits works of local artists and we do it for free!