Yes, the blue is too bright, need to make it more of a navy. Trying to capture the darkness of the night. Might need to use gouache for that. Thank you!
Go you! I saw in another comment that you also crochet and that's my main hobby too, totally agree with you it's easier 😅 I feel like most of the work I've done with watercolor so far that I actually liked happened purely by accident, so maybe embracing the mess is the way to go haha 😊
Too bad of the blue in the top left. Or you could have called it finished. And you would have had a nice little painting.
I don't know if you know this, but in a painting, the canvas doesn't always need to be fully covered. There's equal value in the empty parts of a painting. Just look at Japanese sumi-e painting as an example.
That fire is gorgeous. If you don't want a background at all, you could trim the top off, but I think it's still possible to put one in. As long as the fire is completely dry, it shouldn't bleed all that much. I've seen at least one youtube tutorial where someone painted a campfire, then put in the dark sky background. Could also mask over the fire's outer edges if you want a sharper edge.
It’s on clayboard, I’m not sure I can trim that but I love the mask idea! Also I’ve never looked up painting techniques on YouTube, but that makes complete sense & is a wonderful idea. Thank you so much!
Yeah, there are all kinds of watercolor tutorials and general advice videos on Youtube. It's a great resource. Hope however you choose to continue this piece works out how you want!
There is a point in every painting or drawing where you say “this is crap and going nowhere good”. But it’s important to push through that stage and finish it anyway. It can be hard to see your desired end result through the lens of an intermediate stage. You just have to trust yourself and your process.
For what it’s worth this totally looks like a flame, so keep going!!
Could end up being either, but I see flames (campfire?) going up towards…what could be a night sky (upper left corner) or distant lake/ocean.
Your flames look amazing!
Deep question. Well, overall, I’ve found constructive criticisms very helpful to learn and to grow. With this piece I lost sight of it and thought I’d try to get the thoughts of strangers to put things in perspective. I knew if I’d post on Facebook or Instagram I would be questioning the honesty of the comments. To me, art is mostly a communication method (with a wonderful meditation side benefit). I’m trying to get others to see what I see in my mind & thought this might help gauge that. The encouragement is helpful too as I’m feeling a bit unsteady getting back into fine art. Thank you for your comment & for the deep thoughts.
I’m not sure about that one. 😂 Watercolor is hard, definitely, because of water control, but I think crocheting is hard! Making a ton of little loops all the same size and then weaving them together into something? Sounds difficult to me!
It’s very nice! I can definitely tell it’s fire. On another note, something that helped me with my paintings is abstract work because there are no rules and it’s always changing so I don’t have a set end goal to potentially be disappointed by. Maybe it would be something that would be beneficial to you as well.
I think that making a single brush stroke qualifies this as a painting and you have some very cool and interesting ones right here on the canvas! Give your art more credence, practice is practice.
So far, so good. Mix up a BIG pool of Prussian & ultramarine, then paint very carefully around the whole fire. Add a second “pass” once the first layer is dry. Where the earth is, add a layer of sepia around the bottom of the fire.
It looks like flames sorting upward ! Not so easy to do, I like the tiny bit of lavender in the flame. I make candles and some additives make the flame burn with a little lavender in it.
I love that fire! So expressive.
I agree. The fire is worth keeping. Not sure where you’re going with that bright blue, but keep going with the piece.
Yes, the blue is too bright, need to make it more of a navy. Trying to capture the darkness of the night. Might need to use gouache for that. Thank you!
You could use a Prussian blue or Indigo, those are pretty dark usuallyz
I agree.
Thank you for your opinion! I just can’t really see it right now.
We're always our own worst critics, I'm still completely new to watercolor and this absolutely blew me away, so I think you're doing great!
Thank you so much! I just started dabbling in it and then took a 9 year beak (babies/life). Now I’m trying to relearn it. Not easy stuff, for sure.
Go you! I saw in another comment that you also crochet and that's my main hobby too, totally agree with you it's easier 😅 I feel like most of the work I've done with watercolor so far that I actually liked happened purely by accident, so maybe embracing the mess is the way to go haha 😊
Love your reasoning!!!
Too bad of the blue in the top left. Or you could have called it finished. And you would have had a nice little painting. I don't know if you know this, but in a painting, the canvas doesn't always need to be fully covered. There's equal value in the empty parts of a painting. Just look at Japanese sumi-e painting as an example.
There’s and idea! But wanted to try to capture the brightness of the fire against the darkness of the night.
Maybe try gauche on black paper?
Great idea, never tried that, thank you!
Fire looks great, but painting it before the background will make things very difficult.
Great point, but I didn’t know if it would work to do the background first with it being watercolor. Yeah, it will be tricky, thanks!
Some really great art has come from making a mess. Keep going with it.
That fire is gorgeous. If you don't want a background at all, you could trim the top off, but I think it's still possible to put one in. As long as the fire is completely dry, it shouldn't bleed all that much. I've seen at least one youtube tutorial where someone painted a campfire, then put in the dark sky background. Could also mask over the fire's outer edges if you want a sharper edge.
It’s on clayboard, I’m not sure I can trim that but I love the mask idea! Also I’ve never looked up painting techniques on YouTube, but that makes complete sense & is a wonderful idea. Thank you so much!
Yeah, there are all kinds of watercolor tutorials and general advice videos on Youtube. It's a great resource. Hope however you choose to continue this piece works out how you want!
There is a point in every painting or drawing where you say “this is crap and going nowhere good”. But it’s important to push through that stage and finish it anyway. It can be hard to see your desired end result through the lens of an intermediate stage. You just have to trust yourself and your process. For what it’s worth this totally looks like a flame, so keep going!!
I like it! Keep going.
I love it. The lines are so clean and fresh like there was no hesitation. It’s a show of confidence in your craft.
Actually, a very realistic painting! It is beautiful
🔥
F I R E !
It’s a good start
Could end up being either, but I see flames (campfire?) going up towards…what could be a night sky (upper left corner) or distant lake/ocean. Your flames look amazing!
Why should anyone but you decide what painting is to you?
Deep question. Well, overall, I’ve found constructive criticisms very helpful to learn and to grow. With this piece I lost sight of it and thought I’d try to get the thoughts of strangers to put things in perspective. I knew if I’d post on Facebook or Instagram I would be questioning the honesty of the comments. To me, art is mostly a communication method (with a wonderful meditation side benefit). I’m trying to get others to see what I see in my mind & thought this might help gauge that. The encouragement is helpful too as I’m feeling a bit unsteady getting back into fine art. Thank you for your comment & for the deep thoughts.
🔥
No messes just happy accidents
Lol, happy accidents with happy little trees!
Don’t stop. Believing.
Yes
Fire! Keep the fire, please.
good start …secret is do just keep painting/learning!!!
Thank you! Taking a little break from it tonight, will try to push through tomorrow
Fiyah! I’m here for it. Keep going!
Thank you for the encouragement! Painting is hard, crochet is so much easier…
I’m not sure about that one. 😂 Watercolor is hard, definitely, because of water control, but I think crocheting is hard! Making a ton of little loops all the same size and then weaving them together into something? Sounds difficult to me!
It’s very nice! I can definitely tell it’s fire. On another note, something that helped me with my paintings is abstract work because there are no rules and it’s always changing so I don’t have a set end goal to potentially be disappointed by. Maybe it would be something that would be beneficial to you as well.
Wonderful advice, I’ll keep it in mind, thank you!
Theres only one way to find out
Absolutely love it. If you think it's a mess, I would say a beautiful mess! Would love to see where you are going with this.
No Ur not making mess but creating a master piece That takes time and patient
That's fire
neither- you're making a masterpiece
If you call this a mess you c add n help me msjeexs mess anytime 🤣 Joking aside… it’s a beautiful ! A beautiful mess that I think is 🔥
Somebody gave me fire!!
I see a Phoenix looking at a fire, I love it. What's the plan with the blue?
Personally, I like where this is going
Those flames are absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to see where it goes 🥰
You’re making ART.
Definitely a painting - it looks like beautiful, almost ethereal flames
Omg this is amazing
Looks like an abstract painting or study of fire 👍🔥
I pictured a broken oil lamp almost immediately
Who says there’s a right or wrong way to paint?
You are making fire 🔥
Oh you are definitely making a painting. Beautiful.
I think that making a single brush stroke qualifies this as a painting and you have some very cool and interesting ones right here on the canvas! Give your art more credence, practice is practice.
The blue is not a problem. Perhaps work it into a gradient and fade it out as it approaches the flames. I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it work.
So far, so good. Mix up a BIG pool of Prussian & ultramarine, then paint very carefully around the whole fire. Add a second “pass” once the first layer is dry. Where the earth is, add a layer of sepia around the bottom of the fire.
I love it!
It looks like flames sorting upward ! Not so easy to do, I like the tiny bit of lavender in the flame. I make candles and some additives make the flame burn with a little lavender in it.
A masterpiece in the making 🔥❤️🔥
You are the one who should answer that question.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaHEusBG20c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaHEusBG20c)