This is a recent pic based on one in a book. I received one comment from my mum regarding the round looking bush on the left, she said it was too dark judging its distance from the viewer. So I used a wet brush, water and tissue to lighten it. I will dig out the details of the book soon...
3:14 AM, 3-Jan-2009 .. Posted by gareth lane
Throw away the art books, they can only teach you how someone else thinks you should paint. I can see from your work that you are copying what you think a proper painting should look like.
If you want to learn my suggestion is to look at the world around you,..... I mean really look, by doing this you will see the beauty and complexity of colour and realise that all these books do is teach you how to write, by copying a picture you are repeating what someone else has said rather than learn and improve your own work.
My second suggestion is you look at other artists work. I would start with the impressionists as their work helps you top understand light and use of colour. Van Gogh and Gaugain as contrasts because throught their work you are able to see how colour and mark making can express emotion.
Lastly. learn to play and love the materials you use, imagine yourself to be a child and allow yourself to experience the joy and excitment of discovering new things.
Kind Regards
Gareth