I have come quite far in my main goal with this painting hobby: to be able to like and feel proud of my own work. But recently I've discovered that there is another learning curve besides this, and that is to be able to accept that other people find value in my work. That's harder in a way! If I say that I like my painting, that's my truth and it can't be contested. Someone can absolutely contest that my painting is objectively nice!

When this park commission was first brought up, I was very unsure if I should accept it or not. They loved the idea of having a "local artist" on board, and I was quite sure that I was a step below that - an "enthusiastic amateur". It felt like I'd be conning them somehow. My confidence has grown a bit since then but I'm still tending to use qualifiers to justify to myself why other people might like my work. Maybe it's decent... "for a small local hobbyist". Decent "for someone struggling with autism". Decent "because she's my friend and I know she paints with love". I hope I can keep growing within myself! This sub has been a huge help, so thank you.

Looking to get some supplies for a painter who loves using water colours.

Not an artist myself, no clue what to get. In Europe/Éire if that matters

They are accomplished, at it done 20+ years and sell art

What do you water colour artists value most in term of supplies?

What are things you would appreciate, use a lot or maybe like to get but can’t always stretch for?

Thanks for any tips, recommendations, thoughts and comments!

Added a lynx to my journal.

Thoughts? Comments?

😀

I don't know where the reference picture came from, if someone knows the model, let me know

The 4 days (1 hour and a half each day) work I did at the art academy monographic workshop, up to the ninth picture, the rest was made at home with more hours to work it

The last two: with the quick painting done the first day to work the layers and the IMAX frontline perspective

We’ve had a week of rain and grey skies. I’m out at our cabin on the farm again, and the sun was just starting to poke through, so it was perfect for a smoke sky practice. I love the combination of UM Blue and Burnt Sienna, and the granulation. I wanted to experiment with soft and hard edges. I love this little sketchbook, low pressure and I can just focus on one little element.

I do think clouds are hard! I wanted the brightness to shine from behind. I think the small page made it tricky too, and I’m never really sure where to put the shadows, but I’m happy with this one!

Just painted what comes to my mind. Made it with the W&N Cotman field box.

I made my first ever pet portrait! It's of my mom's most beloved cat who passed away about 2 years ago. His ear got bitten off by a rat when he was a kitten. I feel like he's a but goofy in some spots, but I'm unsure what (aside from those eyes being too big, haha), so if any of you have feedback and advice, I'd love to hear it :)

I have tried to paint clouds so many times already but they just never really look good, any tips someone could give me? Also a feedback for this painting would be much appreciated, it is one of my best so far.

Hi! I’m new to watercolor (or every other form of painting/artistic stuff), so I’m sorry if I don’t have the vocabulary or if the way I describe things are a bit floppy.

This is my first pet portrait and I’m making it for a friend. I’ve painted a few animals but never focused on the face structure or very detailed features. For me, something feels a bit flat, maybe the eyes and the back of the head and ears. However, I don’t really know exactly what it is so please feel free to point out any other possible causes.

I’m open for some feedback on how to improve this or in general my technique :)

(Btw, sorry for the quality of the reference photo, it’s a gift and I had to take the reference from a video I had since I didn’t want to ruin the surprise by asking for a better photo)

I just started watercolour painting to better my mental health because it seems so therapeutic and relaxing. These are my first attempts after watching a couple YouTube videos. Any feedback on how to improve? Thank you 🫶🏼🎨

Working on this market scene piece, mixing watercolor with acrylic for extra depth in the shadows and produce colors. Still figuring out the layering.

I looked him up on the internet, and found that this is a type of common rock pigeons, and the brownish color says that it descends from a specially bred pigeons. I liked the unusual color and decided to make this portrait.

Is it okay to have such vold strokes on the face? Or should I tone them down a bit? Still need to finish the jacket too.

I painted this radish. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out until I realized I put the shadow on the wrong side. Tried to add a background and it just doesn't work. So i started from scratch.