Sherri's Meanderings

Over the past few years I've taken several drawing classes, and I figured I'd try the other side of the coin. Since I've done oil painting in the past and know what all that involves (mess, smell, toxicity), I figured I'd try acrylic painting. So, after the first class, I went out to Rocky's Art and bought my supplies (oh boy, oh boy!!!) and was all ready to jump right in last night.

We started out painting "scales", or gradients between colors... Like painting true red at one side, true green at the other, and mixing slowly from one to the other. Ok, that wasn't too bad. Kinda getting to know the paint and my new brushes.

Next, the teacher wanted us to do a monochromatic painting... all one color plus black and white. So she set up a still life, composed of several objects, all varying shades of red. Now here's where the problems started.

I'm so used to drawing, that starting right out with paint made me kinda nervous. So I sketched it in, and started in with the paints. The main problem was that acrylic DRIES SO FAST!! I'd barely get the color mixed and load my brush, and it was already drying on my brush. Ok, I can deal with that... So I add a little water... just dip my brush in my water a bit. Unfortunately, the result looked more like thin watercolor. 'sigh'....

I'm hoping this is just the initial frustration of getting to know a new medium. I'm disappointed that I find it frustrating... I've heard many artists relate their excitement with this whole process. I find it to be a pain. I guess I also am unsure if the trouble is with the medium, or me.

Well, the only solution is to plod forward, and find out if it really IS me, or the medium!! Stay tuned for updates!! :)