Hi my loves.
Welcome back to my sketchbook.
Well actually, I'm working outside of the sketchbook today on paper.
Just trying to keep up that regular drawing habit, seeing what art I can make today with
an hour or less.
And for this session, I'm attempting to finish off this painting I started in my last video,
one of my hour-long, chit-chat videos where I paint and talk in real-time.
For this painting, I was using a reference that I'll have linked below, painting on Strathmore's
mixed media black paper, using mainly Holbein gouache with Royal Talens black and Arteza
white.
Plus a synthetic round brush in number 4 by Jackson's, but all of that stuff will be listed
in the description.
The point of this painting was really just to get myself back into painting after Inktober.
I talked about it a lot more in my previous video, but I've been feeling a bit lost and
unsure with my art, and the best thing to do to figure out where you're at and where
you want to go, is just do something.
Do anything.
And use wherever you end up as a starting point for where you want to go next.
So throughout the process of this painting, I've learnt a few things.
I want to focus on my use of colour, and I want to make more of an effort, maybe do some
intentional practice, really achieving the style of painting that I have in my head,
getting that down on paper.
And I just want to say how much I appreciate you guys for your patience throughout my journey
in art, through the ups and downs and doubts and experimentation.
Its not easy trying to learn and grown while also sharing your works in progress online,
but I'm really thankful for this community of people who are just genuinely understanding,
people who are in the same boat, and people who just generally don't get bored of my here,
there and everywhereness.
It's such a valuable environment for growth and I honestly do feel quite free to keep
trying and trying again until I start to figure things out.
I'm actually feeling much more positive since my last video, I think because I'm gradually
working my way through the mountain of other work I had on, and I'm just now finding more
time to make art again- without feeling guilty about the other things I should be doing.
I think by the end of this week, I'll have a proper level of balance back, and I have
about 5 different videos I'm excited about getting started on, different projects that
I think will really help in getting me to make more art, push my style, work on areas
that are lacking, but also enjoy it all and get some great videos out of it.
So I'm feeling better.
And I have a lot of you all to thank for that.
For the encouragement and just for being open with your own feelings about your art and
being able to relate.
I have to say, after about the first 15 minutes of this painting, I was already starting to
get bored.
Maybe because it was quite repetitive, just leaves.
Leaves on leaves.
But also, because I think I had already gotten out of this painting what I wanted to get
out of it.
I wanted to get back into painting, I did that.
And now I'm ready to tackle the next thing.
Which will be style.
I know style isn't something that you necessarily go looking for, but it is something you can
refine and make clearer, kind of set the blueprint for how you approach your work.
So yeah, got bored of this painting and I think I will leave it where I left it by the
end of this video.
I tried to get all the leaves in that framed the flower, so it still does work as it is,
just without the extra background stuff.
But I'll let you watch the rest without me talking.
I'll just finish by saying, if you're in a slump with your art, know it's natural.
If you're not satisfied with anything you're doing, it's okay to recognise that, that's
a valid feeling.
Take a break.
Then come back and do something different.
Do something you've been wanting to do, or do something you'd never even think of doing.
And then look at what you've created and think, 'Right, where do I want to go from here?'
There are limitless opportunities for creativity out there.
And they're all available to you.
Most of them anyway.
I mean, I'd love to get into at-home pottery but where am I gonna put a kiln, you know?
But anyway, don't limit yourself in your mind to what you think you're capable of.
You can do any of it.
It'll take work and practice and perseverance- but we have time, and every step forward is
a step forward.
You're getting somewhere.
You're getting better.
Anyway, thanks for joining me for this painting session, I hope you feel inspired to do a
little something creative today as well.
And I'll see you next week for the next one.
Bye!