I just completed the week 18 ink and acrylic assignment. The drawing is of my two cats, Cookie and Simba. They are brother and sister, although Cookie recently passed. Simba is my big orange love bug and is very clingy now that his sister is gone. While I am happy with the outcome, it really doesn't show the ink layer as I got very carried away with the acrylic layer. Also, the mixed media paper I used was not doing the ink effects justice. I …

I've just completed week 17. The mixed media acrylic and oil painting. I call it "Raven Love." The background isn't really covered very well, but I like the acrylic underpainting with drips and alcohol spray effects. I may go back and use more oil to fill in some of the background a little better. I will definitely use this method again. 😊

I am having trouble getting good photographs of my work. I generally use my cell phone because it is easy to upload, etc., plus it does take fairly good photos. I do have a Canon DSLR camera, but it is difficult to get clear photos. Anyway, my frustration is that the color is never near what it looks like in real life. I've tried taking them outside in the shade, in my sunroom during the afternoon and morning, and with lighting using outdoor …

While on break waiting to start section 2 of the program, I painted a few things. Here is one that I just finished. I saw a photo that a friend posted on social media of a fox that was in her yard. I asked if I could paint it and she said yes. Here is the result of the painting. I plan to paint every day, and hope that the practice will lead to better quality pieces. Oil on 10x8 canvas board.

I just completed week 14, and my final painting for part 1 of the program. The title is "Message Sent." I would like a critique on this painting, as I am looking to improve on everything from composition to color story to technique. Please let me know what suggestions you may have to improve upon this painting. Thank you so much! 😁

Hello fellow art classmates! I am so inspired by the words of encouragement for one another. I will throw my thoughts out there as well, hopefully as inspiration to anyone needing it. Though I have been "making art" since early childhood, and always wanted to be an accomplished artist, it is only recently that I believe it to be achievable. I set aside any real art education for family, career, trauma and mental health issues. I am a mother of …

I just completed the week 14 assignments. The abstract expressive drawings and final painting summary for Part 1. I was so excited to create this painting. I used the technique we learned in our first painting assignment, but actually completed most of the painting alla prima. I spent six hours the first day, with touch ups to finish in about two hours the second day. It's is 20x20 on gallery wrapped canvas. The title is "Message Sent."

Week 12 Self Portrait painting completed. I need a lot of work on skin tones, I will go back to the videos and work on it some more.

Week 12 self-portrait charcoal sketches. The one on the right was done with a mirror, the one on the left was done from a photo. The mirror was really difficult for me, it doesn't look at all like me, LOL! The other one is okay, but I really need to practice this some more!

Week 12 black on black painting. There are a few things I need to detail more, but I've spent enough time on it for now. :)