[fin5prtw]

Hello everyone,

I haven't looked through artistforum in too much detail as of yet, I thought I should introduce myself a little first.

I am, at heart, an artist. In fact, I used to be an excellent painter. I used to paint all sorts, but mostly abstract landscapes and architecture (semi-3d, mixed media). I was accepted into one of the top universities in the UK based on my painting to study Fine Art & Art History, however the course was nothing like I expected it to be. I was forced to move away from drawing and painting to pursue more 'conceptual and modern' art, namely photography and videography- which were interesting, but not my true passion.

After completing my degree, I tried to return to drawing and painting in my free time, but ended up getting frustrated with myself at my inability to create something half decent. I kept trying until I gave up.

Ten years later, here I am, living in South East Asia, surrounded by inspiration, still trying to regain my talent/confidence to create something I can be proud of, no matter how small - yet I just can't seem to do it. I feel as though all of my paintings look like a 5 year old has done it!!!

So, in a nutshell, I'm here to welcome any advice that can help me finally regain (or start to) my creative skills, in the hope that one day I will be able to feel some progression and confidence in myself again.

Thanks :vs-kiss: (and sorry for the rambling on!:glasses

 

[TerryCurley]

Welcome to the forum. I'm fairly new at painting(less than 2 years) so I'm a little short on advice, but there are some pros at this forum that will be able to help. They have helped me a lot. The internet is a great resource for tutorials and lectures in art. I'm self taught and rely a lot on the internet.

 

[Susan Mulno]

Hi! Welcome to the forum!

As a teenager I was a very decent artist, then I took a thirty year hiatus to raise my children. When the artistic bug bit again I went back to the basics. And I mean basic! I started drawing straight lines,.... pages of them!.... and then curves, up to shapes and back to practices (blind contour, speed sketches, etc....) Helped me a lot. Just keep painting, the creative juices will flow soon.

Most importantly, have fun! :biggrin:

 

[Jalapeno]

Hi and welcome. I agree with Susan.

I've found for most things, art, music, sports, that if I was good at a younger age and took a long hiatus that I always seem to try to pick up where I left off. It never works because I haven't put all the hours of practice in that I did when I was younger.

So I find that when starting over I should just really start over from the beginning and just re-practice the fundamentals. It comes back pretty quickly that way and just helps to get back in the groove. Once i've got the basics under hand again I can move forward.

Have fun.

 

[Sorin]

I found art school a drag... I could outpaint my teachers! And the "lessons" they put out were straight from mid-grade public school... Corn in a boot, etc. Yuck. So I dropped out & went my way. Never regretted it. Now, if was gonna get into tech-art it might be different cuz of learning all the software! But otherwise... So long as you have the balls to force yourself to work & push your envelope along paths YOU desire you'll proceed faster, not at the pace of the slowest students. Just don't get lazy. Diversify.
I often use pinterest.com as a means of refreshing my outlook & seeing different ideas.

 

[TerryCurley]

I need to figure out Pinterest. I have a login with them but have never used it.