 |
| Freedom of Expression |
I was so bummed out over Running Eagle Falls I got a canvas and just let her rip with no destination in mind. Funny thing is, I love it! Freedom truly was my inspiration. It really felt good to do.
©Kinsey Barnard
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Feedom of Expression
I was so bummed out over Running Eagle Falls I got a canvas and just let her rip with no destination in mind. Funny thing is, I love it! Freedom truly was my inspiration. It really felt good to do.
©Kinsey Barnard
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Running Eagle Falls
 |
| Running Eagle Falls |
It was bound to happen, a gawd awful painting. My deepest apologies to Running Eagle a great Blackfeet warrior princes. This painting goes in the "What was I thinking" column.
Running Eagle Falls is one of my favorite places to go in Glacier Park. Over the years I have tried to photograph it but for some reason I've not been able to get anything that does it justice.You can check out a couple of my photographic efforts as well as the legend of Running Eagle on my adventure blog.
Anyway, I had this idea I wanted to paint my version of it and this is what happened. It's pretty gawdy as well as gawd awful.
I'm starting to come to the conclusion that larger canvases may be easier to paint. Detail work is tough in small spaces. The good news is, I continue to learn things and have had little "ah ha" moments. But, I'll need a lot more.
©Kinsey Barnard
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Crossroads
 |
| Crossroads |
I actually had an idea of what I wanted to paint. But then I was interrupted by company for a few days and my ADD must have kicked in. By the time I got back to painting I had totally forgotten what I was thinking of and just started splattering paint on the board. I had no destination in mind which should be fairly apparent.
It looks like something that should have been painted for Easter eggs. I had no choice but to name it Crossroads as that's the only identifiable thing in it. Identifiable to me at least. Imagination is a wonderful thing, mixed up or not!
©Kinsey Barnard
Friday, December 11, 2015
Dome Mountain
Dome Mountain is my sixth effort. There may be a Dome Mountain somewhere but this one came straight out of my paint brush. The inspiration for the snow capped mountains came from the Whitefish Range in Montana and the foreground came from visions of Montana hay and wheat fields. A dome mountain is basically an old volcano. It's the color that makes this painting so pleasing to me. When I look at it I just want to smile. They say "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Simplistic as it may be this beholder sees beauty here. Maybe it more pronounced at the moment because it is winter in Montana and color is not something we get to see much of. All I know is the bright colors brighten my day and make me feel happy.
© KinseyBarnard
Thursday, December 10, 2015
David Hockney - An Inspiration
"The moment you cheat for the sake of beauty, you know you're an artist."
What a find! Until today I was not familiar with David Hockney and his work. The above painting and quote have hit me like a ton of bricks.
Hockney is a photographer turned painter. His use of color and imaginative designs are bloody brilliant in every sense of the word.
In my photography I prided myself that I did not Photoshop my images but relied on Nature to provide. I don't even own the program and have never desired to. But, I can't say I wasn't tempted to "cheat" by enhancing the color. Sometimes I gave into temptation. By cracky I AM an artist!
©Kinsey Barnard
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Paint Mixing Magic
The other day I came across a video on how to mix paint. In my case, acrylic paint. I don't suppose there is any aspect of painting more fundamental or more important.
In this particular video, you can find it in my video library under color mixing, the instructor shows how every conceivable color can be derived from the three primary colors yellow, red and blue. From just those three colors wheels within wheels, a kaleidoscope of color can be derived. I haven't thought about primary colors since I was in grade school. After watching the video I think primary colors are magical.
My biggest problem is that I mix colors like I do everything else in my creative process. I just make it up in the moment. I've gotten some colors I really liked this way but the problem is I have no idea how I did it so recreating a particular color isn't going to be easy. My muddled mind finds it difficult to focus on particulars whilst I'm creating. When I'm done I can't remember what I did because I didn't pay any attention.
This happens to me a lot with my photography. People will ask how I got a certain result and I will tell them I don't know. I often feel they think I'm being selfish. That's not my intention. I really don't know. I just do what I do. I quite literally don't "know" anything worth passing along. Just like I can't be taught I can't teach either.
With painting I find I think a lot about what I want to create next. I spend several days with ideas swirling around in my mind before I have the courage to pick up the brush again. I liken my mind to a darter fish. It darts here it darts there and sooner or later settles. I get many of my best ideas when I am engaged in an activity totally unrelated to painting. Once I decide to paint I just do it without thinking much at all. It is what it is.
I watched a video on abstract painting where it was a team effort. The man painted whilst the woman mixed the colors. I think not mixing my own colors would take half the fun out of painting. For me mixing color is part of the adventure. At this point my color mixing is kind of a Forest Gump box of chocolates thing. I never know what I'm going to get. With experience I may learn do do it on purpose. That would be good. Meanwhile, I have created some gorgeous colors quite by accident.
I'm lousy at determining how much paint to mix. More often than not I make too much. In order to save paint I have been putting leftovers in capped cups. I save everything. I'm pretty sure I'm going to come up with many more accidental colors.
Here's a quote from Michele Theberge at themindfulartist.com which I think is worth repeating.
"There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished."
In this particular video, you can find it in my video library under color mixing, the instructor shows how every conceivable color can be derived from the three primary colors yellow, red and blue. From just those three colors wheels within wheels, a kaleidoscope of color can be derived. I haven't thought about primary colors since I was in grade school. After watching the video I think primary colors are magical.
My biggest problem is that I mix colors like I do everything else in my creative process. I just make it up in the moment. I've gotten some colors I really liked this way but the problem is I have no idea how I did it so recreating a particular color isn't going to be easy. My muddled mind finds it difficult to focus on particulars whilst I'm creating. When I'm done I can't remember what I did because I didn't pay any attention.
This happens to me a lot with my photography. People will ask how I got a certain result and I will tell them I don't know. I often feel they think I'm being selfish. That's not my intention. I really don't know. I just do what I do. I quite literally don't "know" anything worth passing along. Just like I can't be taught I can't teach either.
With painting I find I think a lot about what I want to create next. I spend several days with ideas swirling around in my mind before I have the courage to pick up the brush again. I liken my mind to a darter fish. It darts here it darts there and sooner or later settles. I get many of my best ideas when I am engaged in an activity totally unrelated to painting. Once I decide to paint I just do it without thinking much at all. It is what it is.
I watched a video on abstract painting where it was a team effort. The man painted whilst the woman mixed the colors. I think not mixing my own colors would take half the fun out of painting. For me mixing color is part of the adventure. At this point my color mixing is kind of a Forest Gump box of chocolates thing. I never know what I'm going to get. With experience I may learn do do it on purpose. That would be good. Meanwhile, I have created some gorgeous colors quite by accident.
I'm lousy at determining how much paint to mix. More often than not I make too much. In order to save paint I have been putting leftovers in capped cups. I save everything. I'm pretty sure I'm going to come up with many more accidental colors.
 |
| Paint Saving Cups |
Here's a quote from Michele Theberge at themindfulartist.com which I think is worth repeating.
"There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished."
There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.tQ8YV9e8.dpuf
There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.IDMAd7Mz.dpuf
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.IDMAd7Mz.dpuf
There’s a delicate balance we artists ride between doing and being.
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.IDMAd7Mz.dpufI watched another video on abstract painting where a man painted and a woman created the colors. I think not mixing the colors would take a lot of the fun and adventure out of it for me.Here's a quote from Michele Theberge which I think is particularity insightful. "
©Kinsey Barnard
Too much “being” can be a disguised form of avoidance. Too much “doing” and our creative well dries up because it is never replenished.
- See more at: http://themindfulartist.com/2011/03/meander-time/#sthash.IDMAd7Mz.dpufI watched another video on abstract painting where a man painted and a woman created the colors. I think not mixing the colors would take a lot of the fun and adventure out of it for me.Here's a quote from Michele Theberge which I think is particularity insightful. "
Monday, December 7, 2015
Jackson Pollock - Following the Bread Crumbs
I was sitting at my desk pondering what I wanted to be when I grow up. More like what style of painting was likely to be my bailiwick. It really doesn't matter and I'm way to new at this to even be concerned about it. One thing I know I'm not very good at is controlling where my mind wanders. The "darter fish mind" does what it does.
I had been studying my portfolio of paintings which currently stands at five pieces. Now that's one heck of a body of work. I have put them on a wall so I can maybe learn from them, what I like and what I don't. As I examined them I decided where I'm headed is primitive abstract impressionism.
I was curious to know if there was such a thing as primitive abstract impressionism. In typical ADD fashion, when I entered my search in Google I typed primitive abstract expressionism. I have absolutely no idea why I typed that. Anyway, my mistake led me to a MoMa video about Jackson Pollock. (The video is in my library under Jackson Pollock)
The video is a demonstration of Pollock's painting technique. I found it an interesting and informative video. Clearly, Pollock also enjoyed reckless abandon. More than the painting itself, I was struck by the fact Pollock used acrylic house paint to produce his creations.
I'm still struggling with my paint drying out. I'm doing all the conventional things but I'm still not happy with my paint. I'm beginning to think it has something to do with the climate in my house. In winter I keep the thermostat set 67 degrees during the day and 62 at night. The humidity is around 30%. It may just be too cold and dry. I'm perfectly comfortable.
After watching the Pollock video I wondered if mere mortals could paint on canvas with house paint? Seems to me house paint is a lot more fluid than the tube paint. I Googled the subject and found a painter, Skye Taylor, who says yes you can. Skye's video is also in the library.
I went from putting the wrong parameters into my Google search to finding Jackson Pollock to learning you can paint on canvas with house paint. I'm sure some purists might turn up their noses at such an idea. As far as I'm concerned, if it's good enough for Jackson Pollock it's certainly good enough for me. I bet anyone who would sneer at the idea never sold a painting for $140,000,000 either. Jackson Pollock did. Photo below.
I can hardly wait to get some house paint and try it out for myself. It may not work for me but who cares? This painting thing is such a exciting adventure! I'll probably never sell anything for even $140 but I'm going to have a million dollars worth of joy following my art (heart).
©Kinsey Barnard
PS: I learned something else whilst writing this entry. I heard a crash in the living room and went to scold my dog for getting into mischief. Turned out the one painting I had done on a canvas board had fallen off the wall. The fall crushed a corner . Moral of that story; don't try hanging canvas board with masking tape.
I had been studying my portfolio of paintings which currently stands at five pieces. Now that's one heck of a body of work. I have put them on a wall so I can maybe learn from them, what I like and what I don't. As I examined them I decided where I'm headed is primitive abstract impressionism.
 |
| My Complete Body of Work LOL! |
I was curious to know if there was such a thing as primitive abstract impressionism. In typical ADD fashion, when I entered my search in Google I typed primitive abstract expressionism. I have absolutely no idea why I typed that. Anyway, my mistake led me to a MoMa video about Jackson Pollock. (The video is in my library under Jackson Pollock)
The video is a demonstration of Pollock's painting technique. I found it an interesting and informative video. Clearly, Pollock also enjoyed reckless abandon. More than the painting itself, I was struck by the fact Pollock used acrylic house paint to produce his creations.
I'm still struggling with my paint drying out. I'm doing all the conventional things but I'm still not happy with my paint. I'm beginning to think it has something to do with the climate in my house. In winter I keep the thermostat set 67 degrees during the day and 62 at night. The humidity is around 30%. It may just be too cold and dry. I'm perfectly comfortable.
After watching the Pollock video I wondered if mere mortals could paint on canvas with house paint? Seems to me house paint is a lot more fluid than the tube paint. I Googled the subject and found a painter, Skye Taylor, who says yes you can. Skye's video is also in the library.
I went from putting the wrong parameters into my Google search to finding Jackson Pollock to learning you can paint on canvas with house paint. I'm sure some purists might turn up their noses at such an idea. As far as I'm concerned, if it's good enough for Jackson Pollock it's certainly good enough for me. I bet anyone who would sneer at the idea never sold a painting for $140,000,000 either. Jackson Pollock did. Photo below.
 |
| Jackson Pollock - No. 5 1948 |
©Kinsey Barnard
PS: I learned something else whilst writing this entry. I heard a crash in the living room and went to scold my dog for getting into mischief. Turned out the one painting I had done on a canvas board had fallen off the wall. The fall crushed a corner . Moral of that story; don't try hanging canvas board with masking tape.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Blog Name Change
Today I decided to change the name of this blog. The original title was Dairy of a Would Be Painter and so it is. But as I have been writing posts I see that this painting adventure is giving me all manner of introspective opportunities. After writing I Just Learned What I Already Knew it occurred to me this blog is going to be about more than just painting. The new title, as you can, see is Learning to Paint: A Journey of Self-Discovery. I've always been an advocate of self-knowledge. I have a feeling learning to paint, along with writing about it on this blog, is going to be a journey of self-discovery making it all the more fun.
Since I started this project I have been reminded just how thoroughly unteachable I am. It doesn't mean I can't learn. It means I have to teach myself by observing what other people do, not what they say, and then figuring out how to do it in a way that makes sense to me. My thought process is so different from most peoples I simply cannot grasp how to do a thing as explained by another. The way things make sense to others is totally bewildering to me.
I was a terrible student. I believed I couldn't understand things because I was
stupid. In grammar school I had to take piano lessons. The nun, Sister Ruth, used a little black wand. She kept time to a metronome and tapped the piano in time with it. Every time I struck a wrong note she would strike my knuckles. In the end, I was the only child in the history of the school who couldn't play in the recital because she couldn't learn even one simple piece. In high school it was so bad I was suicidal. My IQ was revealed
to me in hopes it would help with my self-doubt. Turned out my IQ was
136. No Einstein but not stupid either. It did help with my self-worth
issues but not with my frustration. The point is, my inability to be taught started a very long time ago.
I'm watching lots of painting videos. I watch more than listen. I'm watching for those AH HA moments. Times when I see the artist do something and think "Oh wow, that's how that's done!" I'm saving all of the videos that give me one or more of those moments in my Acrylic Painting Video Library.
In addition to being unteachable there is a bit of a rebel in me. Since I've learned I don't think like other people I find I don't want to do things like other people. I am a square peg in a round hole world and learning to live with it has been a journey unto itself. My life's theme song is I Did It My Way, mostly because I had no choice. I have no doubt painting is going to be a continuation on that theme.
For anyone reading this please understand, this blog is primarily for my personal edification. I only make it public on the off chance that something I write might be useful to another. I'm way too old to care what anyone may think of me. As far as I'm concerned life isn't a popularity contest. Good thing too as square pegs don't generally do well in that type of contest.
©Kinsey Barnard
Since I started this project I have been reminded just how thoroughly unteachable I am. It doesn't mean I can't learn. It means I have to teach myself by observing what other people do, not what they say, and then figuring out how to do it in a way that makes sense to me. My thought process is so different from most peoples I simply cannot grasp how to do a thing as explained by another. The way things make sense to others is totally bewildering to me.
I'm watching lots of painting videos. I watch more than listen. I'm watching for those AH HA moments. Times when I see the artist do something and think "Oh wow, that's how that's done!" I'm saving all of the videos that give me one or more of those moments in my Acrylic Painting Video Library.
In addition to being unteachable there is a bit of a rebel in me. Since I've learned I don't think like other people I find I don't want to do things like other people. I am a square peg in a round hole world and learning to live with it has been a journey unto itself. My life's theme song is I Did It My Way, mostly because I had no choice. I have no doubt painting is going to be a continuation on that theme.
 |
| Pajaro - Kinsey Barnard |
For anyone reading this please understand, this blog is primarily for my personal edification. I only make it public on the off chance that something I write might be useful to another. I'm way too old to care what anyone may think of me. As far as I'm concerned life isn't a popularity contest. Good thing too as square pegs don't generally do well in that type of contest.
©Kinsey Barnard
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
I Just Learned What I Already Knew
I've just had an epiphany. Strange as it may sound, I just learned what I believe I already knew. When it comes to art I am not interested in painting what I see outside myself. I am far more interested in what I see inside myself.
It was right in front of my face, within my photography. My stated objective with my camera was to paint with it. Not using Photoshop but capturing Nature in those naturally rare moments when she reveals just what an artist She is. Images that, to my eye, were Nature's most unusual and unique works of art. Things that so few people ever notice. I found many, but, to my never ending frustration very few seemed to appreciate Nature's abstract expressions. People have made a great fuss over images that, to me, are little more than pretty pictures whilst ignoring what I thought was the most incredible art I have ever seen. Images like Ice Puppets is not my art. It's nature's art. I was nothing more than the conduit. The two images below illustrate what I mean.
Above is a very pretty photo that has been popular amongst my photography fans. I don't mean to be glib but to me its just a pretty picture, a suitable model for a landscape painter. Below is an image that lights my fire 10,000 candles. It's just the kind of thing I would like to paint.
Although, if I were to flip the Tobacco River photo upside down and crop everything out but the reflection I might have something that would have appeal. But then, who needs to paint it? Nature already did.
It's dawning on me that there may have been a reason for me to be able to see and photograph subjects such as Ice Puppets. To me that image was an opportunity to look inside Nature's imagination. How often does one have the opportunity to do that?
It's clear. I am not drawn to realism when it comes to art. Over the past 14 years, in Montana, I have spent thousands of hours and hiked thousands of miles with a near obsession to photograph the unique and imaginative within Nature. I have never known why. Perhaps this sudden interest in painting is not a new beginning but the continuation of a journey already begun. Just the thought of it excites me no end. I am such a loon.
I believe every cloud has a silver lining. In my case the silver lining is realizing nothing really matters in the grand scheme of things. That's why I'm going to enjoy painting. It just doesn't matter what I paint as long as I enjoy myself doing it. If I stop enjoying it I'll stop doing it. It doesn't matter. I stopped taking myself too seriously long ago.
©Kinsey Barnard
It was right in front of my face, within my photography. My stated objective with my camera was to paint with it. Not using Photoshop but capturing Nature in those naturally rare moments when she reveals just what an artist She is. Images that, to my eye, were Nature's most unusual and unique works of art. Things that so few people ever notice. I found many, but, to my never ending frustration very few seemed to appreciate Nature's abstract expressions. People have made a great fuss over images that, to me, are little more than pretty pictures whilst ignoring what I thought was the most incredible art I have ever seen. Images like Ice Puppets is not my art. It's nature's art. I was nothing more than the conduit. The two images below illustrate what I mean.
 |
| Tobacco River in Autumn |
 |
| Ice Puppets |
 |
| Nature paints the water. |
It's dawning on me that there may have been a reason for me to be able to see and photograph subjects such as Ice Puppets. To me that image was an opportunity to look inside Nature's imagination. How often does one have the opportunity to do that?
It's clear. I am not drawn to realism when it comes to art. Over the past 14 years, in Montana, I have spent thousands of hours and hiked thousands of miles with a near obsession to photograph the unique and imaginative within Nature. I have never known why. Perhaps this sudden interest in painting is not a new beginning but the continuation of a journey already begun. Just the thought of it excites me no end. I am such a loon.
I believe every cloud has a silver lining. In my case the silver lining is realizing nothing really matters in the grand scheme of things. That's why I'm going to enjoy painting. It just doesn't matter what I paint as long as I enjoy myself doing it. If I stop enjoying it I'll stop doing it. It doesn't matter. I stopped taking myself too seriously long ago.
©Kinsey Barnard
Monday, November 30, 2015
A Very Primitive, Primitive Painting
Over the weekend I continued watching painting videos. I discovered a
fellow by the name of Ric Nagualero. He has a series of videos. I
watched the one on painting clouds and the one on painting trees. If you
are interested you can check them out in my Video Library.
It's very interesting to me how each artist has his unique way of doing
things. Nagualero, for instance, mixes his washes right on the canvas
by spritzing the canvas. I liked the idea of this method.
After watching the how to paint clouds video I was anxious to try mixing the wash on the canvas. I liked it. But, I fear I must graduate myself to a canvas panel as the canvas paper I have been using really curls with so much moisture being applied. Painting on a panel is going to be a real treat!
I also wanted to try my hand at some clouds. In all the teaching videos I have watched the instructors have painted from a photo. I prefer to paint right out of my head. All I knew when I began was I wanted to paint some clouds what I ended up with was my rendition of a primitive painting, a very primitive painting.
I realize this is truly a "primitive" painting by the literal definition of the word. Thank heavens this painting project is all about having fun. Looking at it now there are a number of things I would do differently. But, the truth is, I actually like it. It's frivolous and colorful. The very qualities I admire so much in the genre.
Regarding the subject of on line videos. I must say there is a ton of free and useful information out there. I have purchased a couple of Craftsy videos but I doubt I'll buy anymore. I have learned more about the things I'm looking for on You Tube.
©Kinsey Barnard
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the primitive style of painting click on this Google search to see a potpourri of lovely examples.
https://www.google.com/search?q=primitive+painting+style&tbm=isch&imgil=k0vZBUDcBQQOlM%253A%253BsI5HqW4B1t9O-M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fbobferrucciart.com%25252Ftwilight&source=iu&pf=m&fir=k0vZBUDcBQQOlM%253A%252CsI5HqW4B1t9O-M%252C_&biw=1600&bih=689&usg=__-r9aoG0ot6tT3ksMRMgk45LCZuk%3D&ved=0ahUKEwj2x-r-8LrJAhVBS4gKHYaNCvsQyjcITA&ei=EbBdVrb7LMGWoQSGm6rYDw#imgrc=k0vZBUDcBQQOlM%3A&usg=__-r9aoG0ot6tT3ksMRMgk45LCZuk%3D
After watching the how to paint clouds video I was anxious to try mixing the wash on the canvas. I liked it. But, I fear I must graduate myself to a canvas panel as the canvas paper I have been using really curls with so much moisture being applied. Painting on a panel is going to be a real treat!
I also wanted to try my hand at some clouds. In all the teaching videos I have watched the instructors have painted from a photo. I prefer to paint right out of my head. All I knew when I began was I wanted to paint some clouds what I ended up with was my rendition of a primitive painting, a very primitive painting.
 |
| My First Primitive Painting |
I realize this is truly a "primitive" painting by the literal definition of the word. Thank heavens this painting project is all about having fun. Looking at it now there are a number of things I would do differently. But, the truth is, I actually like it. It's frivolous and colorful. The very qualities I admire so much in the genre.
Regarding the subject of on line videos. I must say there is a ton of free and useful information out there. I have purchased a couple of Craftsy videos but I doubt I'll buy anymore. I have learned more about the things I'm looking for on You Tube.
©Kinsey Barnard
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the primitive style of painting click on this Google search to see a potpourri of lovely examples.
https://www.google.com/search?q=primitive+painting+style&tbm=isch&imgil=k0vZBUDcBQQOlM%253A%253BsI5HqW4B1t9O-M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fbobferrucciart.com%25252Ftwilight&source=iu&pf=m&fir=k0vZBUDcBQQOlM%253A%252CsI5HqW4B1t9O-M%252C_&biw=1600&bih=689&usg=__-r9aoG0ot6tT3ksMRMgk45LCZuk%3D&ved=0ahUKEwj2x-r-8LrJAhVBS4gKHYaNCvsQyjcITA&ei=EbBdVrb7LMGWoQSGm6rYDw#imgrc=k0vZBUDcBQQOlM%3A&usg=__-r9aoG0ot6tT3ksMRMgk45LCZuk%3D
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Hockaday Musseum of Art
Today (11-27-15) seemed like a good day to visit the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell. Heaven only knows I wanted nothing to do with the Black Friday thing.
Looking at paintings in museums has never been high on my "I can't wait to do that!" list. I visited the Louvre, the first time, in 1967. I was nineteen year old. I remember looking at the Mona Lisa and thinking "What the heck is all the fuss about?!" I expressed my amazement only as a self defense tactic. Who would dare say what I really thought? Certainly not moi. The part of the Louvre I went wild for were the Egyptian Antiquities, beyond beguiling.
Now that I have decided I want to try and paint, I am suddenly eager to go look at paintings. I am very anxious to study how artists have achieved their effects through their brush strokes, how they dealt with light and shadows.
The Hockaday is a modest museum but quite nice. The museum houses a variety of painting techniques and genres. The subject matter is primarily, the natural world. One entire section is devoted to the Crown of the Continent aka Glacier Park. There was one painting of a Indian buck that really grabbed my attention. It was called simply "Young Boy" and was painted by Charlie Russell. I have no words to describe how beautiful it is. To me more beautiful than the Mona Lisa. This one small painting was worth the visit.
I learned that black and white painting is generally termed monochrome. Whist I adore color I also love black and white photography. It has a special essence all it's own. Several people have told me my black & white photography is reminiscent of Ansel Adams. That's a pretty heady compliment. Anyway, I can certainly see myself trying my hand at the absence of color with a brush.
©Kinsey Barnard
Looking at paintings in museums has never been high on my "I can't wait to do that!" list. I visited the Louvre, the first time, in 1967. I was nineteen year old. I remember looking at the Mona Lisa and thinking "What the heck is all the fuss about?!" I expressed my amazement only as a self defense tactic. Who would dare say what I really thought? Certainly not moi. The part of the Louvre I went wild for were the Egyptian Antiquities, beyond beguiling.
 |
| Hockaday Museum of Art - Kalispell, Montana |
Now that I have decided I want to try and paint, I am suddenly eager to go look at paintings. I am very anxious to study how artists have achieved their effects through their brush strokes, how they dealt with light and shadows.
The Hockaday is a modest museum but quite nice. The museum houses a variety of painting techniques and genres. The subject matter is primarily, the natural world. One entire section is devoted to the Crown of the Continent aka Glacier Park. There was one painting of a Indian buck that really grabbed my attention. It was called simply "Young Boy" and was painted by Charlie Russell. I have no words to describe how beautiful it is. To me more beautiful than the Mona Lisa. This one small painting was worth the visit.
I learned that black and white painting is generally termed monochrome. Whist I adore color I also love black and white photography. It has a special essence all it's own. Several people have told me my black & white photography is reminiscent of Ansel Adams. That's a pretty heady compliment. Anyway, I can certainly see myself trying my hand at the absence of color with a brush.
©Kinsey Barnard
Friday, November 27, 2015
A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose
A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose or so wrote Gertrude Stein. Gertrude never saw my rendition of a rose.
Whilst I was rummaging around the internet I came across some videos on the subject of painting flowers. (See Video Library). I love flowers because I love color and seldom is seen a flower without beautiful color. I decided to give a rose a try. I didn't have a photo to look at so I painted it right out of my head. Mind you, I probably could not have done any better with a photo. But, as my friend Dave says, it is original. It looks to me like something a first grader might produce, maybe a kindergartner.
They say the great thing about acrylics is how quickly the paint dries. That special feature is proving my nemesis. My paints are drying out so fast I get all in panic. I'm one of those that does not do well under pressure and this is taking all the fun out of the exercise. I've tried misting the paint but it still dries out on the palette and clumps on the brush. Part of it may be due to the low humidity in the house. In winter, with things closed up and the heat running all the time it gets pretty dry.
I don't know what the trouble is but I really need to find a solution. If anyone reading this has any ideas to share about keeping acrylic paint moist I would sure be grateful if you'd leave them in a comment.
©Kinsey Barnard
Whilst I was rummaging around the internet I came across some videos on the subject of painting flowers. (See Video Library). I love flowers because I love color and seldom is seen a flower without beautiful color. I decided to give a rose a try. I didn't have a photo to look at so I painted it right out of my head. Mind you, I probably could not have done any better with a photo. But, as my friend Dave says, it is original. It looks to me like something a first grader might produce, maybe a kindergartner.
They say the great thing about acrylics is how quickly the paint dries. That special feature is proving my nemesis. My paints are drying out so fast I get all in panic. I'm one of those that does not do well under pressure and this is taking all the fun out of the exercise. I've tried misting the paint but it still dries out on the palette and clumps on the brush. Part of it may be due to the low humidity in the house. In winter, with things closed up and the heat running all the time it gets pretty dry.
I don't know what the trouble is but I really need to find a solution. If anyone reading this has any ideas to share about keeping acrylic paint moist I would sure be grateful if you'd leave them in a comment.
©Kinsey Barnard
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Acrylic Painting Video Library
I am finding a plethora of how to videos on the subject of acrylic painting. The main reason for writing this blog is so that I have a place to store the information I have collected and can use that information for future reference and easy access. I find that if I glean one idea or bit of useful information from a video it was worth watching. Some videos I found informative in the main, others just a bit. I figure if I watch a lot of videos, over time, I will gather a useful bunch of bits. Listings are alphabetical by subject.
I will add new video links that offered at least a bit and will make note of the additions in future posts.
FREE ACRYLIC PAINTING VIDEOS
ABSTRACT ART: https://youtu.be/Bg3oQ_OqQ_o
ACRYLIC PAINT BRANDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVMPa-bDtrg
ACRYLIC PAINT BRANDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OacMAO8pk_U
ACRYLIC HOUSE PAINT: https://youtu.be/lmWi6fbTnhc
BRUSHES CHOOSING: https://youtu.be/HGBopQgEGy8
BRUSH STROKE TECHNIQUES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YjGbsbDoxs
CANVAS WASHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKNpKUK4lMc
CANVAS WASHING: http://willkempartschool.com/how-a-canvas-can-drastically-improve-your-painting/
CLOUDS-Nagualero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC1QcDkYtEw
COLOR MIXING BEGINNERS: http://willkempartschool.com/beginners-colour-mixing-acrylic-paint/
COLOR MIXING PRIMARY COLORS: https://youtu.be/1z8NQoTemsc
FLOWER PAINTING: http://www.howcast.com/videos/386911-how-to-learn-flower-painting-techniques/
FLOWERS-ABSTRACT: http://www.howcast.com/videos/497824-how-to-paint-an-abstract-flower-acrylic-painting/
FLOWERS-TULIPS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6KNNRmmUR4
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xICl4l3P57khttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xICl4l3P57k
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5swJ_9av6qk
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW4jITwQglw
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qas_PmlYIdY
JACKSON POLLOCK: https://youtu.be/EncR_T0faKM
SUNSETS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC1sDAuwZoQ
TREES-Nagualero: https://youtu.be/ffMc8dRsSo4
VARNISHING: https://youtu.be/wnoXZ6nXGSE
I will add new video links that offered at least a bit and will make note of the additions in future posts.
FREE ACRYLIC PAINTING VIDEOS
ABSTRACT ART: https://youtu.be/Bg3oQ_OqQ_o
ACRYLIC PAINT BRANDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVMPa-bDtrg
ACRYLIC PAINT BRANDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OacMAO8pk_U
ACRYLIC HOUSE PAINT: https://youtu.be/lmWi6fbTnhc
BRUSHES CHOOSING: https://youtu.be/HGBopQgEGy8
BRUSH STROKE TECHNIQUES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YjGbsbDoxs
CANVAS WASHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKNpKUK4lMc
CANVAS WASHING: http://willkempartschool.com/how-a-canvas-can-drastically-improve-your-painting/
CLOUDS-Nagualero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC1QcDkYtEw
COLOR MIXING BEGINNERS: http://willkempartschool.com/beginners-colour-mixing-acrylic-paint/
COLOR MIXING PRIMARY COLORS: https://youtu.be/1z8NQoTemsc
FLOWER PAINTING: http://www.howcast.com/videos/386911-how-to-learn-flower-painting-techniques/
FLOWERS-ABSTRACT: http://www.howcast.com/videos/497824-how-to-paint-an-abstract-flower-acrylic-painting/
FLOWERS-TULIPS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6KNNRmmUR4
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xICl4l3P57khttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xICl4l3P57k
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5swJ_9av6qk
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW4jITwQglw
IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qas_PmlYIdY
JACKSON POLLOCK: https://youtu.be/EncR_T0faKM
SUNSETS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC1sDAuwZoQ
TREES-Nagualero: https://youtu.be/ffMc8dRsSo4
VARNISHING: https://youtu.be/wnoXZ6nXGSE
Monday, November 23, 2015
Different Strokes for Different Folks
I've only been at this a nano second in the scheme of things. One thing I'm already fairly certain of, there is a lot to learn about acrylic painting before you get anywhere near the creative process. I suppose if you have done other types of painting the learning curve is much flatter. I have not held a paint brush in my hands since I was in grammar school, unless it was to paint a fence or barn. Grammar school is about 60 years in my rear-view mirror.
Of course, I may just be anal because I see people in these on-line painting classes that just jump in and come up with really nice stuff whilst I'm still laboring over the right brush to use and how to mix the colors. I'm hoping their just new to acrylics not painting.
One thing I have no doubt about is the genre of painting I want to attempt. As I have incessantly pointed with regard to my photography, Monet and Thoreau have always been my mentors in absentia. I adore impressionism and Thoreau's understanding of nature is a beauty all it's own. As in my photography I am not so interested in duplicating things in the commonplace sense. In other words, I'm not so interested in painting traditional landscapes, still life etc. I'm far more intrigued by impressionist and abstract images.
I started out this morning with an idea in mind of an impressionist landscape I wanted to try and replicate. Egads, I messed everything up. I forgot you want to start with the light colors first. I totally messed up my color mixing and ended up with a red mountain where I wanted an orange colored hill. Then my paints started to dry up and I became totally discombobulated. I couldn't bear to waste the paint so I went into imagination mode. I just started experimenting with how the different brushes and brush strokes work. Below is my great work of art. I did actually learn a few things.
I have about 20 of my photographs, printed on 24 x 36 canvas, surrounding my workspace. Today I started really looking at them and was amazed at how nature literally painted these images with brushstrokes. I would like to figure out how to replicate them. Below is a macro look at one of my photographs, River Revelry. This is just a tiny section of the entire image. I think you can see what I mean about the brushstrokes. I want to learn how to paint like nature!
I still say, there is only one true artist when it comes to nature. The of us are just copy cats and posers.
©Kinsey Barnard
Of course, I may just be anal because I see people in these on-line painting classes that just jump in and come up with really nice stuff whilst I'm still laboring over the right brush to use and how to mix the colors. I'm hoping their just new to acrylics not painting.
One thing I have no doubt about is the genre of painting I want to attempt. As I have incessantly pointed with regard to my photography, Monet and Thoreau have always been my mentors in absentia. I adore impressionism and Thoreau's understanding of nature is a beauty all it's own. As in my photography I am not so interested in duplicating things in the commonplace sense. In other words, I'm not so interested in painting traditional landscapes, still life etc. I'm far more intrigued by impressionist and abstract images.
I started out this morning with an idea in mind of an impressionist landscape I wanted to try and replicate. Egads, I messed everything up. I forgot you want to start with the light colors first. I totally messed up my color mixing and ended up with a red mountain where I wanted an orange colored hill. Then my paints started to dry up and I became totally discombobulated. I couldn't bear to waste the paint so I went into imagination mode. I just started experimenting with how the different brushes and brush strokes work. Below is my great work of art. I did actually learn a few things.
 | |
| The Red Blob or Casper the Red Ghost? |
 |
| River Revelry- Original Photograph printed on canvas |
I still say, there is only one true artist when it comes to nature. The of us are just copy cats and posers.
©Kinsey Barnard
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Ready to Paint
I received my supplies from Amazon yesterday. Got my work space set up this morning.
I like this little easel. It allows me to sit whereas if I tried to work straight off the table top I would have to stand. Standing for long periods gives my back fits. As I had hoped the little drawer is a good place to store small paint tubes.
I tried to do a wash on canvas paper. I used Phthalocyanine (crikey I can't even pronounce that one) for my color. In my lexicon this color shall henceforeth known as Navy Blue. When it dried the color was barely perceptible. Not at all what I was expecting. The canvas paper curled on me. Then I tried the Cerulean Blue and got more color but uneven coverage because the paint pulled and I tried to paint over it. I tried to use equal measures of water and paint for both tests.
I thought putting a wash on the canvas was going to be the easiest part and maybe it is. Heaven help me. The dried wash looked nothing like the color of the paint. More experimentation is in order here for sure. The nicest color I got was in my brush wash jar!
©Kinsey Barnard
 |
| Workspace |
I tried to do a wash on canvas paper. I used Phthalocyanine (crikey I can't even pronounce that one) for my color. In my lexicon this color shall henceforeth known as Navy Blue. When it dried the color was barely perceptible. Not at all what I was expecting. The canvas paper curled on me. Then I tried the Cerulean Blue and got more color but uneven coverage because the paint pulled and I tried to paint over it. I tried to use equal measures of water and paint for both tests.
 |
| Cerulean Blue was. The white spots are what I call pulled. There were great globs of in the body. |
 |
| Uneven blotchy wash |
©Kinsey Barnard
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Enquiries to Purchase My Paintings
I had to laugh. I got an unsolicited enquiry to purchase my paintings this morning.
It was no doubt some type of phising expedition but I couldn't help but to think "Wow, selling photographs was never so easy."
My supplies should start arriving tomorrow. I am anxious and terrified to begin. The fact that I am scared I see as a good sign I can't loose with this project. Clearly, if I feel this way there must be remnants of the fear of failure lurking within my psyche. At 67 it's probably time to rid myself of such nonsense once an for all. I thought I had but it seems not.
©Kinsey Barnard
It was no doubt some type of phising expedition but I couldn't help but to think "Wow, selling photographs was never so easy."
My supplies should start arriving tomorrow. I am anxious and terrified to begin. The fact that I am scared I see as a good sign I can't loose with this project. Clearly, if I feel this way there must be remnants of the fear of failure lurking within my psyche. At 67 it's probably time to rid myself of such nonsense once an for all. I thought I had but it seems not.
©Kinsey Barnard
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Washing Your Canvas-Craftsy Classes
While waiting for my supplies to arrive I'm endeavoring to increase my knowledge base.
I have purchased two online art classes from Craftsy; Acrylic Painting -Basics and Beyond and Acrylic Painter's Toolbox. I think these are going to be wonderful tools for learning. It's as close to taking a live course as you can get. You have assignments and can ask questions of the teacher.
I've already looked at a few lessons. In one I was introduced to "washing" your canvas. This is basically tinting your entire canvas with a light wash of a color of your choosing before beginning your painting. I immediately found the subject of interest so I started researching via Google and found some additional, helpful information. One thing is clear, like anything else, ask 100 people and get 100 answers.
Here are 2 free videos I thought were particularly informative.
The Worst Mistake Acrylic Painters Make and How to Drastically Improve Your Painting
Watching these videos I am also picking up ideas about tools and work areas. It looks like just about every painter has his or her own ideas and rituals. One thing I noticed in particular was, a lot of artists don't even use an easel, at least not for the instructions. They paint on a table top. I'm glad I set aside my search for an easel. Clearly painting on a table top is good enough for learning and experimenting on small pieces. I'm sure one day I will have an "ah ha" moment and I will know just which easel is right for me. Meanwhile, I'll also have my $15 table easel to play with. Finding the Right Easel.
I have purchased two online art classes from Craftsy; Acrylic Painting -Basics and Beyond and Acrylic Painter's Toolbox. I think these are going to be wonderful tools for learning. It's as close to taking a live course as you can get. You have assignments and can ask questions of the teacher.
I've already looked at a few lessons. In one I was introduced to "washing" your canvas. This is basically tinting your entire canvas with a light wash of a color of your choosing before beginning your painting. I immediately found the subject of interest so I started researching via Google and found some additional, helpful information. One thing is clear, like anything else, ask 100 people and get 100 answers.
Here are 2 free videos I thought were particularly informative.
The Worst Mistake Acrylic Painters Make and How to Drastically Improve Your Painting
Watching these videos I am also picking up ideas about tools and work areas. It looks like just about every painter has his or her own ideas and rituals. One thing I noticed in particular was, a lot of artists don't even use an easel, at least not for the instructions. They paint on a table top. I'm glad I set aside my search for an easel. Clearly painting on a table top is good enough for learning and experimenting on small pieces. I'm sure one day I will have an "ah ha" moment and I will know just which easel is right for me. Meanwhile, I'll also have my $15 table easel to play with. Finding the Right Easel.
 |
| I wouldn't mind some day being able to paint something like this photo I recently took of Flathead Lake. |
Monday, November 16, 2015
Amazon Let's Me Down
Well, heck!! Amazon let me down. Usually, buying things from Amazon is as easy as falling off a log. It must have happened because I was so anxious to get my starter kit and get painting. Without going into all the gory details they sent the order to the wrong address, eighty miles away. The package may or may not be forwarded to me and heaven only knows how long it will take.
My mother always told me "Every cloud has a silver lining" and she was right. When I look back over my life at points in time when I thought things had gone oh so wrong I can see so many good things that came of my misadventures.
A botched Amazon order is a trivial thing to be sure but annoying nonetheless. Whilst I was trying to figure out how to deal with it I decided to change the whole plan. Instead of getting the kit I put together items I thought I would serve me better. In the process I decided to try Amazon's Prime 30 day free trial which means the new order will arrive before the original order would have but with added benefits. Free Prime music. Free Prime videos. Amazon has Downton Abbey which I have heard so much about but never been able to see. I liked it so much I watched four straight episodes last night. I wouldn't be surprised if I continue with Prime.
I should be getting my self designed kit by Friday the 20th. I'm beginning to feel like those guy we used to laugh at. The ones who went to Abercrombie and Fitch and bot all the latest fishing gear and attire and never got their line wet.
Meanwhile, Molly and I took a walk in Whitefish this afternoon. It has been unseasonably warm here in northwest Montana. We came upon these lawn ornaments that I think are just lovely. I really like this person's idea of art, so imaginative and creative. I'm also quite fond of the subject matter.
©Kinsey Barnard
My mother always told me "Every cloud has a silver lining" and she was right. When I look back over my life at points in time when I thought things had gone oh so wrong I can see so many good things that came of my misadventures.
A botched Amazon order is a trivial thing to be sure but annoying nonetheless. Whilst I was trying to figure out how to deal with it I decided to change the whole plan. Instead of getting the kit I put together items I thought I would serve me better. In the process I decided to try Amazon's Prime 30 day free trial which means the new order will arrive before the original order would have but with added benefits. Free Prime music. Free Prime videos. Amazon has Downton Abbey which I have heard so much about but never been able to see. I liked it so much I watched four straight episodes last night. I wouldn't be surprised if I continue with Prime.
I should be getting my self designed kit by Friday the 20th. I'm beginning to feel like those guy we used to laugh at. The ones who went to Abercrombie and Fitch and bot all the latest fishing gear and attire and never got their line wet.
Meanwhile, Molly and I took a walk in Whitefish this afternoon. It has been unseasonably warm here in northwest Montana. We came upon these lawn ornaments that I think are just lovely. I really like this person's idea of art, so imaginative and creative. I'm also quite fond of the subject matter.
©Kinsey Barnard
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Gathering My Painters Tools - Finding the Right Easel
Whereas I may be cavalier about following other peoples ideas about creating my art form I am very much attuned to the importance of learning as much as you can about the proper tools to create your art. My mother used to say "A worker is as good as his tools". I believe that to be true. Choosing the right tools is most important. In my search for the right tools I am finding I spend the most time looking on line at Dick Blick, Jerry's Artarama and Amazon. I'm sure I will discover others as I move along.
I'm trying to figure out what easel to purchase. I figured I needed one of those to even begin. What are you going to do? Nail a blank canvas to the wall? (I thought I was being cute when I said that but have since found a forum where a guy actually suggested just it!)
For heaven's sake who would have thought choosing an easel would be such a show stopper. I'm already stumped. There are so many variables to consider. Right off the bat you need to consider what size canvases you want to work with. Well, how the devil should I know? I'm thinking I would start smaller and see where I end up. If and when bigger feels better I'll go bigger.
I've narrowed the easels down to two styles, the A-Frame and the H-Frame. The H-Frame seems the more sturdy and versatile choice. You can spend a couple of grand on one of these easels. I think two things could cause you to spend that much (1) You are a master or (2) You have more money than brains.
Having narrowed it down to the H-Frame, I'm thinking I could buy a nice starter easel in the $100 to $150 range. I have been looking at the various models in my target range and reading buyer reviews. Egads! No sooner do I find one that looks good than I read the reviews to find things like "It's so short you can only work at it sitting. Or, "The mast is so high it hits the ceiling".
I'm a tire kicker kind of person. What I would not give to be able to actually see some of the darned things in person. That isn't going to happen, particularly anywhere near where I live in Montana. I may check Craig's list but don't hold out much hope there. I live in a pretty small community but you never know.
Bottom line; I do not feel ready to choose the easel. OTOH, I am really anxious to do something. So, I'm going to do something many artists say I shouldn't. I have ordered a little table top beginners kit from Amazon. I think it's probably a half step above a child's kit. Juniper's Custom Kit.
The big thing I have read you should not do is use cheap paint. The paint in this kit is made by Reese and I think it's rated student grade. It's fairly low quality stuff. I had to laugh at what I read on a beginner's forum where one person remarked. "How would you feel if you were using a low grade paint and painted a masterpiece?"Uhm, I'm thinking I am liking my odds of that not happening.
Here's where a little self knowledge comes in handy. I can be very close with a dollar. I come by it naturally. There is a lot of Scottish blood running in my veins and Scots have a well deserved reputation of being tight with their coin. I recall when I was using Velvia film for my photography. The film was expensive. The processing was expensive. And, I bet I missed a lot of great images because I wasn't quite sure a subject was worth the expenditure. I don't want to find myself in front of a canvas, paralyzed with the fear that what I am about to waste a bunch of money. It's just a thing I know about myself.
So, here's the plan. I'm getting this kit and some canvas paper. I am going to play and experiment to my hearts content and with reckless abandon without breaking the bank to do it. I'll experiment with mixing paints and creating color. I'll experiment with the strokes of different shaped brushes. I feel I can learn a lot and have fun doing it, maybe even build some confidence whilst I do it. As it is I have none. I've never used a paint brush to do anything but paint fences and barns.
That's my plan. I can always use the table easel for paint storage when it's served it's purpose.
Meanwhile, I'll keep researching easels and gathering whatever moss I can.
PS: To painters who may stop by, any tips you might have to help me along my way would be most appreciated.
©Kinsey Barnard
I'm trying to figure out what easel to purchase. I figured I needed one of those to even begin. What are you going to do? Nail a blank canvas to the wall? (I thought I was being cute when I said that but have since found a forum where a guy actually suggested just it!)
For heaven's sake who would have thought choosing an easel would be such a show stopper. I'm already stumped. There are so many variables to consider. Right off the bat you need to consider what size canvases you want to work with. Well, how the devil should I know? I'm thinking I would start smaller and see where I end up. If and when bigger feels better I'll go bigger.
I've narrowed the easels down to two styles, the A-Frame and the H-Frame. The H-Frame seems the more sturdy and versatile choice. You can spend a couple of grand on one of these easels. I think two things could cause you to spend that much (1) You are a master or (2) You have more money than brains.
Having narrowed it down to the H-Frame, I'm thinking I could buy a nice starter easel in the $100 to $150 range. I have been looking at the various models in my target range and reading buyer reviews. Egads! No sooner do I find one that looks good than I read the reviews to find things like "It's so short you can only work at it sitting. Or, "The mast is so high it hits the ceiling".
I'm a tire kicker kind of person. What I would not give to be able to actually see some of the darned things in person. That isn't going to happen, particularly anywhere near where I live in Montana. I may check Craig's list but don't hold out much hope there. I live in a pretty small community but you never know.
Bottom line; I do not feel ready to choose the easel. OTOH, I am really anxious to do something. So, I'm going to do something many artists say I shouldn't. I have ordered a little table top beginners kit from Amazon. I think it's probably a half step above a child's kit. Juniper's Custom Kit.
The big thing I have read you should not do is use cheap paint. The paint in this kit is made by Reese and I think it's rated student grade. It's fairly low quality stuff. I had to laugh at what I read on a beginner's forum where one person remarked. "How would you feel if you were using a low grade paint and painted a masterpiece?"Uhm, I'm thinking I am liking my odds of that not happening.
Here's where a little self knowledge comes in handy. I can be very close with a dollar. I come by it naturally. There is a lot of Scottish blood running in my veins and Scots have a well deserved reputation of being tight with their coin. I recall when I was using Velvia film for my photography. The film was expensive. The processing was expensive. And, I bet I missed a lot of great images because I wasn't quite sure a subject was worth the expenditure. I don't want to find myself in front of a canvas, paralyzed with the fear that what I am about to waste a bunch of money. It's just a thing I know about myself.
So, here's the plan. I'm getting this kit and some canvas paper. I am going to play and experiment to my hearts content and with reckless abandon without breaking the bank to do it. I'll experiment with mixing paints and creating color. I'll experiment with the strokes of different shaped brushes. I feel I can learn a lot and have fun doing it, maybe even build some confidence whilst I do it. As it is I have none. I've never used a paint brush to do anything but paint fences and barns.
That's my plan. I can always use the table easel for paint storage when it's served it's purpose.
Meanwhile, I'll keep researching easels and gathering whatever moss I can.
PS: To painters who may stop by, any tips you might have to help me along my way would be most appreciated.
©Kinsey Barnard
Thursday, November 12, 2015
The Journey Begins
I have had some success as a fine art photographer but lately have found my enthusiasm for that art form begin to wane. I'm not one to define myself by what I do so switching gears is not something I find particularly difficult. And, I love an adventure.
I have decided that I would like to try my hand at painting. I don't know the first thing about it and I think that is a great advantage. I have not a clue what is right or what is wrong. I'm completely unencumbered by any preexisting theories. My belief is that there is no right or wrong in art. I believe art, in any form, should be nothing more and nothing less than the free expression of the artists singular inner being. Doing art in order to please others is a fools errand and really not art by my definition.
OK, so free expression of myself is not a problem. I know no other road than the one less traveled. I adore doing things just because they float my boat. I don't like boxing myself in with other peoples concepts.
I have gotten as far as deciding that I would like to try my hand at acrylic painting. I've done a little research into different paints and acrylics seem like the perfect medium for a true neophyte such as myself. "Seem" being the operative word. I may find that not to be so. In any event it's a place to start.
This blog is meant to be a dairy of my painting journey. I want a record for myself of the various discoveries I make along the way. I'm making it public in case a few others stumble upon it and find it useful.
Wish me luck.
I have decided that I would like to try my hand at painting. I don't know the first thing about it and I think that is a great advantage. I have not a clue what is right or what is wrong. I'm completely unencumbered by any preexisting theories. My belief is that there is no right or wrong in art. I believe art, in any form, should be nothing more and nothing less than the free expression of the artists singular inner being. Doing art in order to please others is a fools errand and really not art by my definition.
OK, so free expression of myself is not a problem. I know no other road than the one less traveled. I adore doing things just because they float my boat. I don't like boxing myself in with other peoples concepts.
I have gotten as far as deciding that I would like to try my hand at acrylic painting. I've done a little research into different paints and acrylics seem like the perfect medium for a true neophyte such as myself. "Seem" being the operative word. I may find that not to be so. In any event it's a place to start.
This blog is meant to be a dairy of my painting journey. I want a record for myself of the various discoveries I make along the way. I'm making it public in case a few others stumble upon it and find it useful.
Wish me luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)