Get me painting!

[dillinger]

I enjoyed art so much at school and think I wouldve carried on with college etc if it wasnt for other factors at the time. Anyway I really want to get back into it again and I feel silly writing this post but I need some encouragement! Every time I sit down to paint, get everything ready I go blank... Plus Im 7 months preg and have a 2 year old so time will be a factor I know but right now I really feel that its something I want to do, and I think it would do me some good.

Any inspiration, tips etc much appreciated!

I find going to art galleries really inspirational.
Or I have done a few evening courses at my adult education centre. They are good.

Try to allocate a particular afternoon/time during the week when you make yourself sit down and 'be creative' My cousin does this every wednesday afternoon. She takes the phone off the hook and makes herself do it. I think once you get into that frame of mind it starts flowing!

Also, I can recommend the book "drawing with the left side of your brain" to get your creativity flowing.

Goodluck! x

Thankyou! I have just emailed my local college to see what they offer.

What sort of things do you want to paint.?

I teach Art, and the first thing we encourage A level and GCSE to do is studies of primary objects (e.g actual items)

When they have done some of this, ideas usually start to happen. Sitting looking at a blank page is no way to inspire yourself.

Start with natural objects or organic forms and see what happens

why don't you start small - if you do portraits then draw the kids, if it's still life draw what you see when out and about etc

I love drawing, but often draw a blank as to where to start. I find a self portrait is a good way to start off - maybe I'm just vain!

Or draw what you used to like drawing in the past

for the past few months I have been attempting to do one thing creative every day.. or every other day at least, and it seems to be working bit by bit, sometimes I get more done than others, it dosent matter what.. a bit of sketching, or drawing, painting, beading, knitting.. just something to get the creativity from dying.

on occasion before I recycle magazines I tear pages out that have shapes that I like or figures, colour etc and drag them out when i'm at a total loss as to what to do, i look at them and sketch them or attempt to paint them.

also I always always keep a little notebook/sketch book in my bag, not jsut for jotting down grocry lists, or things to do lists, but to doodle little things that pop into my head at times...

good luck

Brilliant thanks all! The self portrait idea goes down well with me - I used to like drawing/painting actual 'items' but thats whats been the problem - knowing what to pick! Thanks again though these ideas will really help to get me started.

One question - Ive got a Windsor and Newton watercolour set, its small, could maybe be described as pocket sized. Anyway I need a replacement brush for it and it doesnt tell me on the box which one was used (I dont have it in front of me either and Ive tried to figure it out before)so I wondered if anyone had a good idea of what size brush I should look for? I know it was a Windsor and Newton Cotman but thats it.

I want to get a nice collection of brushes together as I also have acrylics but Im very 'new' to whats available.

dillinger- I would say if you want to just have a play around go to the works and get some artists supplies from there, its decent enough quality for beginnning to get back into art and the prices are very resonable so you can experiment with things before getting hardcore expensive supplies.. good luck and have fun which is the most important thing.

I think just looking and drawing are the key - I used to carry a sketch book with me and draw all the time but am too lazy now - but it'll help you get ideas and make you relaxed about working on anything - it'll just flow from there I'm sure. And goingt to galleries is always good.