It’s been at least a couple of months since I last did any painting. I’m not getting any better. C’est la vie!
You can see my artistic non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
Painting hikers
Painting kite flying
After my last painting I wrote that it was my final artwork until I’d worked through some of “Acrylics for the Absolute Beginners, by Charles Evans”. Well that hasn’t happened – I’ve never been very good at RTFM.
So here’s me at work, the laptop casting Steely Dan to the speakers, the iPad showing the photo I’m attempting to approximate, and the work in progress. Below is the finished painting. I confess that I’ve digitally brightened the image as my painting was, shall I say, subdued. I’m reasonably happy with it.
You can see my artistic development / non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
These are my final artworks
These are my final artworks until I’ve worked through at least some of “Acrylics for the Absolute Beginners, by Charles Evans”. Why? Because I’m struggling to figure out what to paint. When you don’t have the basic skills, you’re limited in what you can achieve. This morning’s efforts are the two cards for the little ones and this bizarre effort. I’ve no idea what the thing is in the top right. I think it started off as a bird! I should have painted over it and put in the sun or an aeroplane! Oh well, watch this space.
You can see my artistic development / non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
What do I know about art!
What do I know about art!
I’m quite proud of this picture I took in Scarborough in 2015. I was reminded of it whilst browsing the website for The Other Art Fair‘ which is currently on in London. In the ‘Coastal’ area of the website I came across a photograph on sale (see the screenshot further down) which prompted me to remember my photo.
The gallery picture is on sale for $210 – it’s a mere 8″ square and the horizon isn’t even level! I do think mine is a better picture, but what do I know about art…..
The NotAnArtist resurfaces
It’s been over a month since I last had out my acrylics and it was probably about the same time that I last sent cards of my paintings to the two little ones. So here are two more efforts by yours truly, NotAnArtist.
I’m very aware that I’m not really progressing, despite have bought or been given some cheap art books such as How to Draw Anything, Acrylics in 10 Steps, Painting With Watercolours, Oils & Acrylics, Read This If You Want To Be Great At Painting, and finally, How to Draw Anything. The trouble is I have no discipline and I’m, and have always been, a lousy learner. I’m not sure what the answer is….
You can see my artistic development / non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
We all drew a dolphin
We followed a twenty minute video on YouTube, Draw With Rob. Here are the efforts of the very young and the very old.
Iris (5 years)
Chloe (7 years)
Granny
Grandad
Not David Hockney
I have a copy of a David Hockney painting, “Red pots in the garden”. My latest project as not an artist was to paint it – see below for Hockney’s original. I’m OK with my effort and I enjoyed doing it. You can see my development / non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
OK, it’s not brilliant
OK, it’s not brilliant. I think it’s time to look up some techniques. You can see my development / non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
Painted whilst turning the corner on a streaming cold. Can I use that as an excuse?
Little pics for little ones
Each week I try to send the little ones a notelet, with a bit of writing, a picture and a couple of silver coins stuck to the back of each notelet. Here are today’s painting, done using acrylics. I began by painting a black background – a first for me. #NotAnArtist
Kitchen window view (approx)
Another dead afternoon so why not have another go at not being an artist? Here is my preparation – note the image on the laptop as it’s my kitchen window and is my intended subject. I’m not happy with my effort, but that’s no big deal. It’s the taking part that’s important, eh? My non-progress can be seen on the page NotAnArtist.
I’m happy with this
I painted this from an image on the laptop and I think it’s my best so far. But I’m still NotAnArtist! You can see my development / non-development at https://thingschange.blog/not-an-artist/
This morning I popped into a local charity shop (Oxfam) to buy some books (4 novels). It’s good to be able to go into bookshops again.
Not an artist
What have I talked myself into? I casually suggested to my daughter that on a Zoom call I could do some painting with the little ones. So I invested in some gear, and here is my studio setup. My daughter suggested acrylic paints but I did find it all a bit fiddly squeezing bits out of tubes – oh for a paintbox! I think I’ve verified my opinion that I have no artistic skills as well as no shame, but early days, eh! If nothing comes of it I can pass on my materials to Chloe and Iris.
First review from the little ones:
“Iris said “wow!”…Chloe observed that you’d paid attention to that video you’d watched! And she wants to know where’s your next one!”
See my progress here….
things change 