Can I have your opinion on my paintings

[coffeeandchoc]

Restarted making art over the last month or so. Just starting out with watercolor paints and really loving them. These 3 pictures are my latest work. Can you give me your honest opinions please.

Here are 2 oil on canvas paintings that I did 20 years ago, they were part of my degree work show portfolio which did receive a first. But that was a long time ago.

1st

Sorry, it looked like the images hadn't posted, then they appeared!

I’m very impressed. It’s much better than I could ever do.

Belle needs a face. Faces are really hard to do though so I can see why you would leave it off.

I have several pieces of Disney artwork in my house. I know my DD would love a princess done in that style for her bedroom so your niece must have been very pleased.

Keep doing what you love for yourself. Don’t worry what anyone else thinks about it.

Well done for engaging with a new medium OP. I am not terribly artistic but I love art and have quite a bit on the walls at home/go to galleries a lot. My DD is very talented, she's studying Fine Art at university.

With regards to your pictures, the subject matter wouldn't be something I'd go for and objectively I think the paintings are a bit flat. You might want to think about how to make the pictures of animal faces etc more 3D with more depth, through use of tonal colour and composition. And maybe research other artists' work so you can explore their composition and technique.

Sorry if that's not helpful.

You have a real niche for animals!

Really don’t like the princess one at all.

If you could apply your unique style and use of colour to sea scapes - I think these would look lovely.

Particularly looking at heather, gorse and poppies on the cliffs.

Don’t include people or boats. And don’t limit yourself to blue skies.

I reckon you could pull off the perfect, yet colourful stormy sky seascape.

One of my DD's paintings:

@Bouledeneige your daughter is incredibly talented. You must be very proud.

I am in awe of anyone that can create such realistic work.

She can particularly do faces. I'm in awe too. Its all about how you see colour and light and dark.

I really like your abstract oils. I paint as a hobby myself and I know how hard it is to get anything abstract to work rather than looking random, however much you have in mind a specific thing to achieve. I think you should do some more abstract work. Have you tried acrylics? Oils are my first 'love' but acrylics are so much easier when you are painting at home and you don't end up with a house stinking of spirits.

Agree 100% with @GingerScallop’s feedback above. Lovely use of colour, proportions and composition a bit off with all of them, and will definitely be something that improves over the years as you practice.

Your degree work looks a lot more professional, but hard to know if that’s because you had done nothing else for 3 years at that point, or that you find abstracts easier than figures.

Agree though that if you are looking for a boost to your confidence and MH, best to say so and have everyone say well done, than ask for opinions and be saddened anything less than absolute approval. They are nice hobby work, but not professional artist level. I do similar pictures (although without your lovely watercolour “splashes” of colour) and they are very definitely for the joy of drawing, not for others

you don't end up with a house stinking of spirits.

I don't paint but I feel attacked.

OP, your degree work was stunning, too. Hope you keep posting your watercolour work here.

DDemelza Never thought of trying as a brush cleaner!

@Pelleas I have painted with acrylic and yes I will try again at some point.

I think I would struggle with oils now after 20 years away. It's so easy to forget that it has been such a long time since I have created anything, so yes it's good to be kind to myself but I also do want to improve as well. So I need to listen to the criticism and take it on board and then use it to help me improve. (I also need to realise that it isn't wrong to also ignore uf I don't feel it will benefit me)

I do struggle with self esteem issues but that is my problem. I am envious of people who have such incredible belief in themselves and their ability.

I think they're lovely op. The zebra is beautiful. And I would be really proud if I was artistic enough to do something like any of them.

Here is an abstract watercolour that I painted today.

Not sure if it's better or worse that the other paintings. But good to try a different style.

@coffeeandchoc The piece you produced yesterday is just my cup of tea, dreamy & ethereal. Based on that alone I'd see your niche to be leaning towards abstract styles - your degree pieces are genuinely stunning & you certainly don't pass with a 1st if your capabilities stop at A level standard so i'd take thought with a pinch of salt. As so many have said, art is entirely subjective. You've found a therapeutic pursuit you have flair for, that's something quite special.

Apologises, I meant the piece you produced earlier - it's been a long day!

@VVKills27 thank you for the words of encouragement. It's silly that I take things to heart, as I make myself feel that I'm not good enough.

I need to have confidence in my ability at what I want to do and just enjoy the process.

I'm trying to find who I am again after feeling like I have lost myself, which is one of the reasons I have restarted painting.

@coffeeandchoc it’s a pleasure. You shouldn’t lack confidence as you have such talent but I know the 2 often don’t tally as they should. I wonder how some people are so overly confident when their capabilities don’t match! I think so many people can relate to that sense of losing their sense of self, what’s wonderful is you will (re)discover this through your creativity. I gave up drawing when I turned down my place on an art foundation course to do a totally different degree, I said it would always be my hobby but 3 kids later... you may have inspired me to get the old oil pastels out after 23 years! ☺️

@VVKills27 you should definitely do it!

Your abstract watercolour is great! You have a real flair for choosing colours that work well together. I love the birds too - they are very well drawn.

I'm probably biased because I like abstract work that's done well, as yours is, but if I were you I would continue down the abstract or semi-abstract route because you seem to have a gift for it. There was a reason you got a First in your degree!

You are clearly talented. Your degree show work is superb.

Your animal paintings are lovely but I agree with a previous poster who said the zebra’s face is too rounded.

Your use of colour is excellent...would love to see how you would depict landscape.

Thank you @Pelleas I am always drawn to colour and it kind of come naturally in to my work.

I will carry on with a mix of different styles as and when I'm inspired by something.

The more I paint and explore art the better it all all be I'm sure.

@pictish I will definitely attempt a landscape at some point, just waiting for the right one!

I love the second degree piece! I've no space on my walls but I'd buy a pack of blank cards with it on..... though I know you aren't trying to sell. Keep going!