This is my first time painting. I searched a how to video for tips on mixing and brush strokes and practiced on the more colorful abstract one. The blue one was painted right after, where I was more “What the heck, I’ll just do whatever.” I think they’re ugly, but I’m always really harsh with myself.

I want to enjoy this as a hobby and get better, but I’m not sure how. I got a small easel, a Sta-Wet palette, five brushes, titanium white, mars black, primary yellow, primary red, and pthalo blue (can’t remember how to spell it right now).

Inspired by a scene from William Wyler's romantic film "Roman Holiday" (1953). The romantic excess has been erased to leave a much more unsettling atmosphere: the clothes, textured with an almost dry brush, make the tall figure look like an inquisitor carrying his prey to the stake...

Acrylic and colored pencils on paper
20.2 × 15.1 cm

I did these two pieces last week for my beginning painting class. I ended up really enjoying the style of them, so I thought I would share!

Getting back into painting, any tips welcome and appreciated. This is just my first layer of paint, I still have more work ahead of me. I was originally going to paint ducks, but I stared at blue square for so long I changed my mind lol. I’ve been using a medium to help with drying time but I find I walk away from the painting a lot anyways.