Hi all

sweetnsour · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 9 Location: South Australia

Hi everyone,
I've been lurking here for some time now, but for some strange reason I'm a nervous poster, so until now I have put off joining. I will admit the reason I'm putting aside my post-nerves is because I need help, but I will put that in the critique area.
Anyhow, who am I? I'm a late comer to art, and even that was sort of by chance. I started a degree with OUA (originally it was going to be BA Composition and literature) when I decided to do an elective... art history. I absolutely loved it and so decided to delve into the visual arts. I was surprised to discover (in the prac units) that I could draw, and although the painting unit was all abstract and mainly monochrome I was having fun. Then, while I was having all this fun my grandmother decided to drop of the perch (Easter) and the bright spark that I am I agree to attempt a portrait of her for my mother. I am now on my fourth attempt.
So basically I'm an absolute beginner who tends to bite off more than she can chew... and at my age I should know better. Oh and you can probably gather from the length of this post that I tend to waffle on a bit... sorry Embarassed

p.s. Once again thank you Grant for your help in getting me on here.

sunfire · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 1430 Location: Toodyay

Hi, welcome to the forum, you can often surprise yourself by jumping in at the deepend, in a good way of course. Very Happy

marri · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: Western Australia

Welcome. I also make bold promises... but then I dither around so long that everyone gives up waiting.

sweetnsour · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 9 Location: South Australia

Hi Sunflower and Marri,

Thanks for the welcome. You're right Sunflower, at least diving into the deep end gives me the chance to learn how to swim, where as if I dived into the shallow end I would break my neck and it would be over before it began.
Lol Marri, I think my mother has reached that point.

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1053 Location: Queensland

Hi Sweetnsour we are all here to help and support each other so don't be nervous. Sometimes hearing/reading criticism is off putting but it helps open your eyes to correct the mistake. Just mention if you want people to be gentle, but everyone on here is kind anyway.

I don't paint portraits but a tip I can give you is take the emotion out of the subject. I mean, detach yourself from 'painting your grandma' and just paint the picture of the person. As your brain will be telling you 'this doesn't look like grandma' etc.