Friday, February 3, 2012

Two Steps Back

Yeah it is Friday!!!
This week has been good except for yesterday when I had a minor meltdown.
I have been learning so much from Will Kemp and his website and all his tips and I was ready to try another painting using some of the things that I have learned so far.

This is the photo that the lesson is based off of,



very pretty. 

So it first started when I tried to print it off and my printer wouldn't work.  No big deal I will just copy it off the computer.  My laptop is dying a slow death so this Christmas we got a new computer.  Yeah, fun, exciting but it is an all-in-one and not able to be carried around.  
SO,
I use my crappy laptop and take it upstairs to my area and proceed to follow Will's videos.  However, crappy laptop = doesn't play videos very well and keeps freezing up.  
After about 1/2 hour messing with that and a few choice words, it finally worked.
All is wonderful now I am painting, I am trying new things such as this,



setting a ground color.
I am used to painting on a stark white board and Will introduced me to this, which is great and makes total sense.
I can roll with this even though everything in my brain is telling me
 WHOA! Bright color that is NOT even in the photo!!!
I proceed with sketching the lines in and even started to add darker and lighter areas first and building on the painting.



 Again something that I kind of did, but not correctly, so this was all great!
Right? 
Wrong!
I started mixing colors and this is what did me in for the day.
Before I found this amazing site, I went out and purchased paint and some supplies, which was fine, but I didn't realize the importance of quality paint, believe me, it makes a difference.  My paints were thin, they wouldn't mix and the feel of them on the canvas was not smooth and flowy.  I felt like each time I mixed the paint, the paint actually disappeared!
I got here and ran out of one color that I mixed and there was no way in my state of mind that I could match that color again so I pouted, cried a bit and stopped.


A bit dramatic? 
Um, Yes 
Does it really make a difference in the grand scheme of things?
Nope, not really. 
Does it help me become a better painter? 
Yes it does.  
I have to remind myself that I am learning and part of learning is doing things wrong, in fact that is how I learn the best, I just need to keep reminding myself of thhat.  My new motto should be: 

"Keep Calm 
and 
Make Mistakes".

Anyway, I grabbed my little coupon to Michaels and went and picked up a few professional quality paints (in the colors that Will suggested I start with) that will help me a bit more and I can mix those with the basic paint to help.

I will try again this weekend.


*I am not being paid or given anything for mentioning Will's site, I really just love it that much and have learned so much from him already that if you are wanting to pick up that brush again, which I know some of you are, that you will wander over there and have a look-see. :)


I will leave you with a couple images of my drives to the lake this week and I hope you have a wonderful weekend and make some mistakes. (nothing too serious though)  :)



Photobucket

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful, Michelle. Our daughter loves to paint and I'm sure she would appreciate this too. Art is simple, an expression of our heart. We complicate it but it's simple. Love this.
Looking forward to visiting. Folloing on Linky, hope you come follow too.
Much love!

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle. I've just found your site through French Country Cottage. Love what I see so far!

I'm a new painter, too...it can be discouraging. But, the mistakes are what help me learn (if I don't quit and drown in my tears!) lol Keep with it. You take lovely photos, too!

Sarah from Virginia, USA

Karena said...

Michelle you would not believe how many canvases I have ruined, when I was using the palette knife technique! Sooo I could not sand it off and start over, it was impossible. Live, Love and Learn always!

You are doing great!!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Low Tide High Style said...

Yay for not giving up because I know this weekend you will create something beautiful! I can't wait to see it, and you are so right, mistakes are what make us better!!

Kat :)

rjerdee said...

You'll be gettin' it soon!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

And this is the reason I'm probably not a painter! lol I'd make too many mistakes and be highly frustrated.
Your drives to the lake must surely release a bit of that frustration. Pretty!

Val said...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend.

Japolina said...

Sorry for the frustrating art day. Hope this weekend goes better

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Hope you have a great weekend, until then hop on over for a chance to win my giveaway!

Sue
xo

The Single Nester said...

I had a bad experience in kindergarten when I drew something. It still affects me. I will be posting about my painting soon. Be well mon amie!

Connie in Hartwood said...

You poor thing. I totally get it, because I sometimes watch my husband's frustration when a painting isn't coming out the way he sees it in his head. It's like Murphy's Law is in control sometimes. (You're right ... good paint makes a HUGE difference.)

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

You know we learn thru our mistakes. I'm enjoying watching your journey unfold. And I can tell you're going to be an amazing artist because you have soul.

An Island Mom said...

Beautiful pictures! And I'm so impressed with your tenacity with the painting. I don't think I would have had the patience. :)

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

You've inspired me to dig out my oils!

Keep going girl!

At The Picket Fence said...

Well, I think you are doing just awesome my friend! I just saw your other post with your first painting and thought, "WOW! She's a natural"! :-) Hang in there and I know you will soon be filling your home with lots of Michelle Originals.
Vanessa

Stacy CUrran said...

I think you're doing great! Sometimes mistakes are the best part!
Stacy

NanaDiana said...

Oh- That is so frustrating, Michelle! It really does pay to buy quality in most products, doesn't it?

I had the same thing today in a different way. I started sewing for the first time in a low time. Dress 1 & 2 went together easily. Dress 3 was an enlarged pattern for a tall 9 year old. I ripped that sucker apart 3 times and cut it down to make it look/fit right. It is cute now but I said a few choice words as I was using my seam ripper...all to myself, of course!;>) I am posting my "project" tomorrow. xo Diana

Tricia said...

I completely understand your frustration, Michelle, I would be the same way. It's that perfectionist part of you coming out...just keep trying, it will all come together. I can't wait to see your next painting. Hope you have a good weekend :)

xo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh darling one,

Mistakes are our best teachers sometimes. Keep going. Anita

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Aw Michele. I hear your frustration. I make mistakes so often, it should be my middle name. But you are so right. You do learn from your mistakes...which means I should be so smart by now that my head is gonna burst right? Ha!

As the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, pout a little, then try, try again. Oh...that's not how it goes? Well, it's my version and I'm sticking to it!

Keep at it girlie. You'll be a famous painter one day and I can say I knew you back when you started ;)

michele said...

i'm gonna be your mother for a second cuz i'm old like that:

it's only paint! that's the beauty of painting--if i hate something, i simply start over. layers form. there aren't many things in life so simply rectified, ya know?

ok.

i'm back to your bloggy friend.

you couldn't suck if you tried.

michele

Joyce - Quilted Nest said...

sounds like you've given yourself some good advice. Keep at it!!! and have fun... I'm proud of you.

Special 'K' said...

Can image how frustrating this can be. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

badBarbara said...

aW, sounds like an emotional day. It happens right. It'll be fine :) Enjoy your weekend girl.
badbarbara.com

Arabella said...

Keep calm and make mistakes is a wonderful mantra for painting - and life.
xoxo

Gypsea Nurse said...

Keep going girl.. you KNOW you will perfect it!
Hugs~
C

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Ican relate-I have meltdowns over crafting failures. I'm sure your pic will turn out fine in the end-you are one talented lady. Cheers

Privet and Holly said...

Mistakes?
I'd say they are
little learning lessons : )
It's just awesome
that you are in there,
doing it!!

xx Suzanne

reFresh reStyle said...

I can't wait to see you work with your new paint :) This is so interesting, I must go check out the site! (they should pay you ;)
Debbie
Hope you had a great weekend!

Martina said...

Little and big crisis like this are part of painting. It's not easy to do but still worth pusuing, because - the good times keep coming in colorful ways ;)

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hey cutie patootie,

Just think of all the mistakes that Picasso made - that nose is wonky!! I can just imagine his friends telling him - but look at him now!! Well, not him...but his paintings! :-)

Sarahx

My Mummy Daze said...

Argh, there's nothing worse than failing technology! Frustrates me know end! I hope you're having a better time now x

koralee said...

Oh dear....I love the yellow background...keep going my dear. You do inspire me with your determination. It looks pretty good to me!!! xoxox HUGS

Kelle Dame said...

I feel you girl!! I've been trying to sew again and it's like I'm starting from scratch! I too need to remember to keep calm and make mistakes! Thanks so much for sharing! I have a little bit more patience for myself now :)

Plumrose Lane said...

What an utterly enchanting find you are♥ ~ Sharon

Ral @ARTbyRT Seascapes and Island Life said...

Thankfully this is acrylic and you'll be able to go back over it. I have as many bad, didn't work, watercolors as I have hey this one is ok! I've now moved onto gouache and am able to go back over my mistakes; Though the lesson here is don't scrimp on less than artist grade pigment and all your supplies. And another lesson keep going! I love you, Ral

Melissah said...

You are doing a great job - you are too hard on yourself!
x
Melissah

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