I have been painting on and off for a few years just for my own pleasure. The problem is I never think i am any good and just give up half way through. I then get re-inspired to finish my painting (about six months after starting it) and just get frustrated again. I'm never happy with the end product. I'm not sure if this is normal and my paintings are ok, or if i just suck at it. I do enjoy it for the most part, and do think that i'm being harsh on myself. Can you honestly tell me if my paintings are any good or are they really bad? Please bear in mind that i've never had any classes and didn't even do art in high school.
Thanks (and please be nice - but honest)!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w274/linnyt123/P08_21_05_09.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w274/linnyt123/P08_17_05_10.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w274/linnyt123/S8002354.jpg
2007-02-19 15:30:44 · 17 answers · asked by Linda T 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
I like your work which has beautiful colours and an unusual atmosphere.
I strongly beleive that you should continue.
You will find it easier, perhaps if you join an artists group, who will help to encourage you, or enroll in a course, so you can meet other artists and pick up some tips/
Hae you thought of taking a site on Deviantart? it's free.
My site is: Tadeusz598.deviantart.com
2007-02-20 06:24:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
For no art classes, you are pretty good. The problem is that you missed out on all those lectures on space and shading and technique and countless other things that make art well, art. Your paintings all look cartoonish and flat and while that looks good for greeting cards and the like, it won't ever progress into anything other than a nice hobby. You don't have to abandon your life and enroll into a full blown art school; just look into some classes for fun at a community center. It's really neat to learn something new and master a new technique. Classes can be rewarding even if you just keep it as a hobby.
2007-02-19 15:39:35 · answer #2 · answered by Amy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello! I thought all the paintings you given links to see were all real nice. You have nice colors and form in the images, and you've got something to offer. I subscribe to a belief that each time you do something artistic (i.e. as in photography for me) it is having a cumulative effect on your work. You should keep going, experiement, take a lesson or two, and put it down on the canvas as it comes out. I especially liked the last one. If I could gather something from your paintings, I would suggest that you are a person of a tender and fragile spirit. I think that's what the flower stands for, and the two female figures painted make me think of your essence perhaps. Like the one with no face shown. You've hidden it for a purpose. You want to be heard yet not judged. I may be wrong, but that's my thoughts. Keep going. Cultivate your muse. Good luck.
2007-02-19 16:52:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vincent Van Gogh sucked, too, at least, in his own time, according to the people who saw his work. What could they know except what already had been accepted. His works were new, untrained in the conventional approach to painting. And, thankfully so. I, too, am a frustrated painter. That's what keep real artists moving forward. If they are content and no longer explore, push and innovate, even to the point of ridicule, the art stagnates and they and the world lose out. Just stay the course, painting what you need to, to use each painting as a stepping stone to the next one. That is the way.
2007-02-20 08:34:31 · answer #4 · answered by Victor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like the two figures better than the flower. You don't say if you are going for photo-realism or expressionism, or somewhere in between. They show some promise, but you lack some very basic knowledge and skills that could be easily taught. (color theory-surface modeling,etc...) You also need some basic drawing instruction to learn to be able to express the shape of an object before introducing color into the scenario. I would suggest that if you are serious, get some instruction. (not mail order) Find a local school and enroll. And yes...you are normal. I don't know many artists who, at some point aren't ready to sell all there supplies and become flute players (no offense to flute players...I love James Galway.)
2007-02-20 05:25:00 · answer #5 · answered by softtailmdb 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your paintings look nice, a level above novice, especially for no formal training. The images do look somewhat generic. Why don't you try to paint something a bit more creative, something from your heart that really inspires you so you are more likely to stick with it, and something that is outside of the confines you have built for yourself that make you think you stink at it. Art has no confines, and beauty is strictly in the eye of the beholder - don't be so harsh on yourself, but try to worry less about how good of a job you're doing and enjoy it. You're not doing it for a living, so there is no pressure on you to constantly churn it out. And by the way, no matter what you paint, some will like it, some won't... good luck.
2007-02-19 15:43:20 · answer #6 · answered by Josh 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Linda - nice work I understand your frustrations completely. I started painting when I was 5 years old - stopped at age 9 and didn't pick up a paint brush again till I was out of college. I took lessons with a local artist - he taught me so much but I too get stuck. I am never completely satisfied - I'm not sure anyone who paints is ever completely satisfied. As we mature and develop our talent we see things differently in our paintings. I have been trying to finish one painting for almost 6 months - I realized the frustration with this painting is that it is intended as a gift - Like you, I usually paint just because I like to - never intending to paint something for someone. My suggestion is paint what you can in a session then step away from it for a few days, don't be too harsh on yourself - let yourself paint for the sake of painting - don't get caught up on questioning yourself - most frustrations surface when we stop having fun with what we are doing and stress ourselves...enjoy and revel in what you are creating...
2007-02-19 15:41:51 · answer #7 · answered by RITI 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A self taught artist is more likely to express themselves using iconic images as subject matter. The current art world in academic settings seems to emphasize and recognize the technological, conceptual or performance elements of art.
Your paintings seem to be a reflection of yourself. That's a good place to start. There are several aspects that I find appealing in these examples. I like your use of color and values (contrasts), and the composition of the two "portraits." The third example has positive elements as well, such as the background treatment and the overall use of color. I suggest that you explore how you could incorporate the text into the composition. Such as, softening the contrast of the text and allowing this element to be seen after the flower, or even the reverse. If the text is the more important element bring it to the foreground and allow the flower to recede and suggest the meaning of the text. Either treatment would eliminate the "greeting card" look.
Anyway . . . don't give up. Try sketching and drawing as well as painting. That way you can freely explore ideas with out the investment of time in a painting. It may help you to determine the best approach to your next painting. Oh, and play around with your painting medium. If you are using acrylic paint try a new technique, such as thinning the paint and using transparent color overlays to build the image. Enjoy!
2007-02-19 19:25:13 · answer #8 · answered by Patricialee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a writer and stuck doing the same thing. Start something with a purpose and passion, get disheartened and stop, come back to it later and stop...
I really like the first picture, though. Not so much the second one; the content is boring. The third is cute and all, but i've always been of the opinion that words don't belong in a piece of visual art, as they draw attention immediately to them and decrease the overall impact of a picture.
2007-02-19 15:35:12 · answer #9 · answered by spewing_originality 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really really like them a lot. :O) It's cool that you are a self-taught artist. Have you ever thought of selling your paintings? I am an artist like you, I am a musician, and I understand where you are coming from, don't give up.
2007-02-19 15:49:01 · answer #10 · answered by poshbaby24 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋