LESSONS IN ART MAKING | NO. 2

Those of you who follow me on Instagram are already way ahead of the curve with this post, because you've seen hints of what I've been getting into lately in art. I've taken a giant nosedive back into painting and I'm never looking back- well kinda. My latest artistic adventures have lead me to yet another lesson in art making...

If at first you don't succeed, maybe it's because you didn't do your research first dummy.

I'm really quite happy with my latest paintings- they're loose, romantic and intense representations of flowers which is exactly what I was hoping to achieve. There's just one little problem. The paper is too thin for the type of paint I'm using (gouache in case you're curious) so it's rippling. The wetness of the paint is causing the paper to absorb too much moisture and leaving my final product a wavy mess. The overall look of the painting is still nice but the quality has been completely sacrificed due to an oversight on my part.

I should have known better. I did know better.

I ignored what I knew about the paper, and the paint, in an effort to save a little money and get on with it already. I was so anxious to get the painting started that I threw research out the window. I've since gone back and done my homework on what surface is best for gouache/acrylic paintings and bought the supplies I need to move forward with confidence. Illustration board.

Tragically the 3 paintings I did before wising up have been relegated to the sketch pile and I'm starting from scratch once again. These lessons in art making can be painful, but hopefully they'll keep you from making the same mistakes. - b.