Like a New Bloom

A New Bloom

I am like this new bloom. Waking up to possibilities. A new life. I doodled and painted and learned. Little did I know how much I would start learning once I made the decision to do art again.

I even explored other sources of art supplies close to me and I was amazed at what I have discovered. Little did I know that there are treasure troves in the streets close to me but remained so far unexplored in my old boring existence of same-same.

I watched videos and read articles and really learned from these efforts of many people to share whatever they know.

This morning I read an article entitled, 10 Things to Learn to Improve Your Painting Skills. It was just the article I needed to read to enhance the paintings I have done. You will have a better idea of what I meant if I show you my paintings before I read this article. You have already seen the Christmas winter scene but to refresh your memory, I'll put it up here again.

Winter Scene

As you can see, I wanted to show trees in Winter, closer to Springtime. But as I use the direct method of painting, the one when you just let your brush guide you straight on the paper, I came out with this and I was sort of satisfied with the result until I read this article. My green was not really good. I did not mix other colours well with it like blue for understated effect as this is winter. So, I took my card once more and did something to it. Here's the revitalized one.

I improved my green. I know I still have to learn but it is good enough for now.

Here's another attempt. This is the picture of my first attempt before I read this article.

The article spoke of sharp and smooth edges and the in-between spaces. So, here is my improvement. I can't really do much because it is difficult to fill in the small spaces but it's good enough for the practice.

I softened some of the edges and put a bit of paint in the in-between spaces. It is remedial but different from the previous one.

Here's a third attempt. Still of sunflowers.

Once again, I filled in more matching colours to smooth the edges. Tiny changes but next time, I know what to do.

More next time. I just keep at it and apply what I have learned from other people's experiences. I am really grateful to the many artists who share their knowledge freely on the Net.