Hello

[Catherine Spencer]

Hello from beautiful British Columbia.   I painted briefly in my youth but have taken it up as a serious hobby now that i am much older. My goal here is to improve my technique and loosen up my style. Im looking forward to being part of this painting community.

[Barbara A Boswell]

Hi Catherine, welcome to the group.  I paint in acrylics also...I don't kow about the others...they don't appear to be real friendly to outsiders but it is what it is. There is a lot of good info from some of them on their process to be found.

I'm a landscape painter from the USA. I have wanted to do the workshops but have not had the time just yet.

I love BC it has some awesome views to choose to paint. Have fun and don't worry about being stalled....it just happeneds

sometimes.

barbara boswell

[marilyn Bonnett]

Hello Catherine, my name is Marilyn and I joined from the start of the Complete Artist, I have a son living in Victoria, what a beautiful province.  I am sure you will improve with your acylics, they are so versatile.  I use them sometimes and oils also.  If you need a hand, in the process, give me a shout.  I know acrylics pretty good.  Best of luck.

[Ann Turner]

Hi Catherine, Welcome to the Com Art. I joined last month and enjoyed seeing all the lovely paintings. We did glow last month but I'm looking forward to starting my painting this month. I've been checking out all the paintings by Van Gough to get a feel for a different style for this painting. Check out my site if you get time.

[Catherine Spencer]

Thank's for your words of encouragement Barbara.  I checked out your site and I LOVE the painting you did, it's so screne, love the soft colors - sorry i can't offer any more of a critique, im not that accomplished.  And, since you paint in acrylics, I was wondering what you can share about painting water ... in one of Richard's photo, the water looks so translucent ... i would like to achieve this and I have heard about glazes, have you worked with them before?  Is there a glaze i would use to achieve translucent shallow water? 

Barbara A Boswell said:

Hi Catherine, welcome to the group.  I paint in acrylics also...I don't kow about the others...they don't appear to be real friendly to outsiders but it is what it is. There is a lot of good info from some of them on their process to be found.

I'm a landscape painter from the USA. I have wanted to do the workshops but have not had the time just yet.

I love BC it has some awesome views to choose to paint. Have fun and don't worry about being stalled....it just happeneds

sometimes.

barbara boswell

[Joanne GarrardBarton]

Hello Catherine;

I am also in BC in Kelowna, have just joined the group,  I  paint in Acrylics.  I prefer oils, but hate the clean up.

Painting water is a challenge.I really like to paint reflections in water.  I think, the way that I paint, layers works for acrylics  as your drying time is critical. It is more difficult to paint wet in wet (as Richard does with oils), without using masses of retarders. I have been painting in Acrylics for about 20 years. I believe that oils are more forgiving, than acrylics are, however each medium has its upside. Arylics dry faster, and are versatile, you can paint an acrylic which looks very much like a watercolour, or conversely like an impasto oil. depending upon what you want to achieve. Don't give up, sometimes just taking a time out for a day or two, helps with your perspective, and you go back to it with renewed energy. I have sometimes been blocked for months, mostly because of my business taking precedence.

I paint mostly landscapes, and massive florals,  I have done a series of cactus paintings during my last visit to AZ what are you working on at the moment.  By the way I am new to the group too.

Cheers Jo

[Montalvo]

Hi Catherine,

 Welcome to this site. You will get a lot of support and learn so much.Hope to see you in the next workshop. Marta

[Gambetta Brehmer]

Hi Catherine
I'm new too. Just joined in this month. I am painting in acrylics, too. Although I am thinking about give the water soluble oils a try, I heard they are brighter and easy to work with. Happy painting and happy holidays,
- G

[Catherine Spencer]

Joanne, have you ever tried the open acrylics ... apparently they stay wet for a long time but I don't know anyone who has tried them.  As they are very expensive, i was wondering if you have tried them, if you like them or not (pros cons?).  Hope your Christmas was good.  We had a very busy one here and im almost glad it's over so that I can relax and do some painting.

Joanne GarrardBarton said:

Hello Catherine;

I am also in BC in Kelowna, have just joined the group,  I  paint in Acrylics.  I prefer oils, but hate the clean up.

Painting water is a challenge.I really like to paint reflections in water.  I think, the way that I paint, layers works for acrylics  as your drying time is critical. It is more difficult to paint wet in wet (as Richard does with oils), without using masses of retarders. I have been painting in Acrylics for about 20 years. I believe that oils are more forgiving, than acrylics are, however each medium has its upside. Arylics dry faster, and are versatile, you can paint an acrylic which looks very much like a watercolour, or conversely like an impasto oil. depending upon what you want to achieve. Don't give up, sometimes just taking a time out for a day or two, helps with your perspective, and you go back to it with renewed energy. I have sometimes been blocked for months, mostly because of my business taking precedence.

I paint mostly landscapes, and massive florals,  I have done a series of cactus paintings during my last visit to AZ what are you working on at the moment.  By the way I am new to the group too.

Cheers Jo

[Catherine Spencer]

Gambetta, have you ever tried the open acrylics?  Apparently they behave like oils but are water clean up.  I wonder how they compare to the water soluable oils?  If you know, let me know.  Hope your Christmas was good.  Ours was busy and im almost glad it's over I can get back to a little painting.  :)

Gambetta Brehmer said:

Hi Catherine
I'm new too. Just joined in this month. I am painting in acrylics, too. Although I am thinking about give the water soluble oils a try, I heard they are brighter and easy to work with. Happy painting and happy holidays,
- G

[Kari Hogden]

Hi Barbara,

Welcome!  I paint in acrylics and oils.  Lately I have been working " en plein air" and oil paint seems to work the best for that as they don't dry so fast.  I live in Wisconsin in the summer and Motueka, New Zealand in their summer.  The landscapes with vineyards in my area remind me of those in BC.

Um, I have been stalled many times in my painting life!! (sometimes for years, in the PAST!)  No more!  Now I tell myself all I have to do is "show up for work".  Something will happen. Aways. Then you get hooked and you don't bother to renovate your house! hahaha.

Look forward to seeing what you are working on...this is a very supportive group!

Kari

[Joanne GarrardBarton]

Hi there Kari:

my name is Joanne, GarrardBArton, I am new to the group also.  I used to paint only in oils, but gravitated to acrylics and of course watercolours, I also find that working on location it is difficult to work in acrylics as they dry so quickly, oils are more forgiving, and give you longer drying time.   I live in BC in the Summer, and in winter we go to Russell, North island NZ.

We love New Zealand, and it is just a hop skip and a jump over the pond to go and see family in Australia.. so it's perfect for us, and we escape the Canadian winter.  Which isn't so bad in Bc, however we escape it anyway!  We all get blocked sometimes, and I have found that I just have to go into the studio on a rgeular basis, if only to "clean up" to be inspired again. I have some wonderful shots of New Zealand landscapes and seascapes I want to paint, so there is no lack of inspiration. I just have to make the time to get into it! My home based business tends to interfere with my painting schedule.  However I plan to take a work shop online with Richard and do some work this winter. I will be interested in seeing what everyone is working on over the course of the winter...Happy New Year to all.

Jo

[Gambetta Brehmer]

Hi Catherine,
Happy new year! I am going to give the water-soluble oils a try - I just ordered some Holbein duo water solubles. I'll let you know what happens - I have been getting frustrated with the too quick dry of my acrylics . I haven't tried the open acrylics are they Golden brand?
-g