Landscape (acrylic)
It's interesting how this painting took me several sections. From what I've learned, I didn't really like this spaced-out work. When I started, I had a general interpretation of what I wanted. In each section, I thought differently, as logic dictates, unless I remained in limbo. I could stop time and use the temporal fractures to return to the encounter, where I begin to paint.
Painting on a canvas, with dimensions close to one meter, is much more complicated than I thought. I imagine that for paintings larger than one meter, I'd have to start my humble craft from scratch. I'd gotten used to A4, but I see that everything requires a slow learning curve. I know it translates into experience, and that's something that motivates me.
Among the things I learned is that not all materials behave remotely the same. Something that could become a universe for a painter could specialize in only specific materials. Perhaps size, material, paint.
I feel like I've learned a lot of details with this painting. It's the first one I've done larger than 30 cm. A different perspective. New materials.
Plain cardstock. Dimensions: Height 65 cm. Width 55 cm. Seven brushes, numbers 10, 4, 8, 9, 3, and 1. Black, blue, turquoise, orange, yellow, sky blue, gray, and white. Lime green, dark green. Shuttle Art acrylic paint in 36 colors.
I couldn't thank @wakeupkitty, a tireless artist, enough for promoting art and literature. Without her help, painting would be impossible.
I look forward to your comments. Comments are welcome.
Wow @almaguer Honestly, I’m really impressed by your painting! There’s so much energy and experimentation in your work — the result is both surprising and beautiful.
Art always loves experiments, and every time an artist steps out of their comfort zone, there’s that little fear, as if learning all over again.
Changing the material, paper size, or canvas always brings new challenges, but they’re the kind that make us grow.
And yes, the bigger the size, the more brushes and larger tools we need — even the amount of paint increases!
With time and after trying different mediums, you’ll definitely find the one closest to your heart — the one that truly lets you express yourself.
Personally, when I first started, my dream was to learn oil painting and draw portraits.
But now, neither oils nor portraits are my favorites anymore 😅
My favorite mediums these days are acrylic and watercolor — they just feel more alive to me.
And by the way, I’d love to share a small tip that might help in the early painting stages:
First, paint the entire surface with a background color that fits your composition — it gives harmony to the whole piece.
Then, draw your outlines using diluted black paint.
After that, define the light and shadow areas using black and white.
Next, prepare all your color tones on the palette and start coloring each part carefully, paying attention to details.
You’ll notice that the first background color you applied actually helps unify everything beautifully. 🎨
Keep experimenting — every new painting opens a new door to creativity
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Great tip but not everyone likes a black background and it changes the colours. Also, not everyone draws first and next colours... To be honest I never liked colouring. It nerves me.
I like what you made. Pity you didn't make a post out of it so more can learn from it.
♥️🍀
🔹 English Version:
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌸
You’re absolutely right — every artist has their own way of working, and that’s what makes art so diverse and enjoyable.
I also don’t like using a black background, but white would be better than black 😅
However, drawing on a completely white surface during the outlining stage can be uncomfortable for the eyes, and sometimes it makes the artist feel that something is off in the composition.
That’s why I always prefer to tint the surface with one or more tones depending on the nature of the artwork.
For example, when I paint a landscape, I choose a dominant color from the scene — maybe a shade of green — or create a misty atmosphere that fits the mood of the piece.
Maybe I should turn this idea into a full post next time so others can benefit from it too.
Thanks again for your lovely words and thoughtful insight! 🎨💚
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I do make my background, first layer, black since black covers better but it's not my finsl background and so far I didn't sketch once. I should try that out, perhaps.
Green is always good 😍
A post would be great, there's so much to try out and to improve. ♥️
Thank you so much, Kitty 🌸
You’re right — black does cover fast, which makes it practical sometimes, especially for the first layers.
Trying to make a sketch before painting can really help balance the composition and structure.
I’m glad you liked the post idea ❤️
Hopefully, I’ll prepare it soon so we can share our experiences together
I am looking forward to your post.
A creative day.
♥️🍀
You have so much talent. You can see what you did in every step, and the result is amazing.
Taken the advice, it's valuable.
Something's wrong with me, though. I started less than five months ago. I'd never painted before. I've tried colored pencils and acrylic, but I haven't tried watercolor or oil. What I know is pure instinct and slow learning from what I see on YouTube.
I live in Cuba, and being able to paint is already a super luxury. You generally have to buy materials abroad; there are no stores where you can buy anything about art. So with each new experiment, where I try to learn, if the support material (cardboard) is of very poor quality (as is the case here), I prefer to learn something new and save as much paint as possible. I focused on better understanding how to paint a landscape, with dimensions larger than the A4 sheets I'd been painting. The experience is precious, because as the dimensions increase, the perspective and technique change, at least that's what I feel. I've experimented. Do you think I should always, even in small experiments, waste paint on backgrounds and the like, on something that doesn't seem like it'll last. Or do I strive for perfection, even on a sheet of newspaper?
I think criticism is very valuable; it allows you to reflect. I don't feel this painting is the best I've ever done, and there are some details I could improve. I didn't pay much attention to it. I was focused on other things, like understanding how to paint in areas, in several separate sections, how to use different colors. I don't have all the answers by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just still learning.
Would it always be good to know what others think?
To a large extent, I paint thanks to @wakeupkitty, who has my highest regard, always betting on art and creating.
Your words truly touched me, and I really loved the honest way you described your experience.
It’s clear that you have a genuine passion — and that’s the most important thing in any artist’s journey. Talent grows with effort and persistence, not with perfect conditions.
Honestly, it’s amazing that you’ve only been painting for less than five months and already reached this level! 👏❤️
That alone shows real talent and sincerity in how you learn and express yourself — reaching such results in a short time isn’t easy at all.
I totally feel your struggle with the lack of materials, especially when you’re in a place where art supplies aren’t easy to find.
But what you’re doing is truly inspiring — creating beauty despite the obstacles.
Now let me tell you the “secret of the trade” 😅
You know the paint shop — “el-mawān” as we call it here?
I’m sure you have at least one nearby…
Just go there and get some acrylic paint, and start experimenting on your own! 🎨
As for your question — I believe every experiment deserves to be taken seriously, even the simplest one.
But not to the point of perfectionism or being afraid of wasting paint.
Acrylic doesn’t like stinginess 😅 — I learned that when I started using more paint without worrying it might run out.
That’s when the artwork began to look rich, lively, and full of depth.
Perfection isn’t the goal of every painting; every attempt brings you closer to mastery.
And what you said about perspective is so true — the larger the surface, the more it challenges your sense of space and composition.
Keep going, because it’s clear you’re walking an honest and beautiful artistic path, and I can’t wait to see your next works — they’ll surely be even stronger
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I believe you don't understand how people in Cuba live and suffer. There's nothing for sale. The people receive a booklet with the "right" to line up for sugar, a small piece of old bread, a bit of rice if available.
There are no vehetables, no meat, no fish, no lemonade, no eggs, no milk, no clothes, no toys, no glasses, zero... Unless you are filthy rich.
The shops are meant for tourists and you need euros, dollars or a foreign currency to buy anything which no one has since they don't receive their salary in a foreign curency.
There's only a few hours of electricity per 24 hours, nothing is sure, there's no logic, no help, no mercy, no coffee, no tea, no cars, no phones, no light, nothing of what you find simple or normal. It's all luxurynand only knew from what they can watch. Internet access for people exists since about 5 years and is very expensive (and a liss if no electricity of wifi).
It's night and day working and hoping that if you need something you have enough money to buy it on a the "black market".
Without family and friends there are no options. A pen, pencil, 1 sheet of paper is extremely expensive.
So yes, I try to find ways to help him with tje badic needs and a way to do what he always loved and clearly is good at.
Just for your information: there's no paypal, transfers to bankaccounts are nearly impossible same for mail. Everytime I am blocked, my bank cancels payments or my account gets frozen I try something else.
It's not a free world we live in and for sure not a helpful one.
Thanks for helping him with your tips and advices.
♥️🍀
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I read this and was stunned. I'd never thought about the bigger picture. I don't think I could describe with such precision something that affects me. You're already an expert on Cuban issues. You've suffered the consequences of the supposedly free world. The great utopia. In this disarray in which I live, what others take as a simplistic notion, they imply, in my case, doesn't exist.
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That is the main problem. Cuba is ignored and keeps silent unlike other countries who love to grab every chance to mention "due to my circumstances...". It clearly pays to say that.
You, me, we are raised in a different way, a culture not used to beg, cry, pray sit, wait and hope to be saved.
I find it interesting that exactly those one could relay on, the hard workers, the creative ones are ignored.
It says a lot about those in charge and proves reading, liking to know how or what is true,the hidden story if it comes to the average person.
That's where the danger lies. The small world we live in, the limited vision and (made up) ideas of the good life lived (based on fairy tales, commercials, tunnel vision, religion, media and low intelligence). We hold it all but don't see what a luxury it is if water runs from the tap, there is a phone and free electricity to charge at church, the freedom to buy food (meat, fish, rice, bread, some fruits, without a government telling us it's all bad for the environment so a big NO before they get into their private jets to dine with friends.). What about the luxury to get schooled, take painting classes for 200 dollars or more. No way I vould or would pay that. Choices have to be made and if so you sacrifice yourself. And others? They sacrifice you as well.
You paint, you are here, so you have the same options is the idea behind it. You already experienced it with the painting classes hosted by tezzmax (and you see it with the Steemit challenges as well. You have to have the same conditions to be able to take part.
Buying street foods, going to a restaurant is not normal although they all seem to do it in the most poor countries unlike those who live in the "wealthy western world".
I could say: We do not complain enough and simply carry the weight and work on. Stupid if you want to stay alive and build something.
🍀♥️
@wakeupkitty
I'm glad to belong to the select club of those of us who are outside. We use our brains. Creatively. To write and paint.
Which is all we need to stay sane and keep oyr dignity.
It's good to have you around and I am happy I bumped into your words.
♥️🍀
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Hi, @wakeupkitty,
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No, my friend, in my country (Cuba) there isn't a single store that sells art supplies. Some individuals sell a tube of a color. When you buy something from someone, it's the color they have at the moment because it's leftover from a project. And a simple 22 ml jar of a color can cost the same as a worker's salary. I paint thanks to @wakeupkitty.
I've always written, I like all art, and I've always liked painting.
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you are doing a great job and have a lot of talent, auto didacts are the best.
♥️🍀
My friend… I felt sad reading about your situation 😔
It must be really hard to get art supplies in your country, with all these challenges—truly painful. Despite everything, your persistence in painting and creativity is truly admirable ❤️.
Is there not even a single store that sells paints for repainting house walls?
The internet arrived relatively recently in my country. Little was known about it outside the country. Not everyone has internet access, not even a joke. Internet access is paid for by the hour, the most expensive in the world, and the slowest (1 megabyte of bandwidth). Almost everything moves in the informal market. And art isn't even remotely something that interests most people who can travel abroad and bring something back. You put up an ad for something, and you might find someone selling one or three colors, or a paintbrush. There isn't a single store in my entire province that sells those items. Nor in all of Cuba, in everything I've researched. It's a black market.
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ᴀʀᴛ & ᴀʀᴛɪꜱᴛꜱ
That's a beautiful piece. How do you split the sections? Into days?
We already discussed this one and it's by far not as bad as you think.
It's true every size needs a different approach. I wouldn't say one takes more time than the next.
How about using 4 sheets acrylic for a bigger painting? If you use paper there's no need to use the easel. Just place it on the rable (a piece of tape in the middle if each sheet to keep them at their place.
The acrylic or watercolour sheets will work it's what I also use. That cardboard sucks it falls apart. Nevertheless, make every stroke count. Look before you start.
By the way, I did gloss/varnish my paper and some have very thick layers of acrylic (not needed?). It feels in the end not different from canvas.
I never made paintings bigger than A4 or A3 except those on walls and that's a different way of working.
Layers can make a painting more realistic but the question is if it's needed and what your style is. There's no need to be the next copy-cat.
Did you try water colour? White is rarely used since the white comes from the white paper. You could give a light wash here and there which comes from the water you clean your brush with.
Right now I struggle with a canvas where parts of paint refuse to stick. I scraped most of the paint off.
🤐
You're right about several things, although, on this card, if acrylic without water ruins it, I imagine watercolor wouldn't even let me get started.
Why not? You can use it faster. You might not be able to use the drip technique but my acrylic is wetter than my water colour.
If those boxes arrive try to paint on the inside and see if it the acrylic works and what it looks like. If there's a difference with the cardboard you bought.
I used to paint on it a lot. Also made toys out of boxes like a garage for cars, a safe with money and a kitchen. All part of the December 5th celebration: St Nicholaas (the surprise gift you make for someone else).
By the way, I do notice a huge difference if it comes to paint, it's thinner/wetter, strange substance, fewer pigment. Red is hard to get. I tried adding the red powder I bought for colouring food. I can't tell if it has any effect.
You are on X
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