Hobby Painter? Not quite..

Hobby Painter? Not quite..

Well, here I am, back in the painting game after a long hiatus. I used to paint with acrylics years ago, but life got in the way, and It has been a long time since I picked up a brush. After watching months of Youtube videos, I've decided that for 2023, it's time to dust off the canvas and try my hand at painting again, and boy, has it been a challenge.

When I first started painting, I had to remember that is was more than a matter of putting paint on the canvas.  I was never very good at that whole science to it: color theory, accuracy, and realism, just to name a few. And let me tell you, trying to achieve these things has been a frustrating journey.

I've always struggled with color theory. Getting the right shades and hues to look natural on my canvas is a constant battle. It's like trying to find the missing piece to a puzzle, and when I finally get it right, it's a moment of triumph. But when I don't, it's a major blow to my confidence.

And don't even get me started on realism. Trying to make my paintings look like the real thing is like trying to hit a bullseye with a blindfold on. I'm constantly second-guessing myself and never quite sure if what I'm putting on the canvas is actually what I'm seeing. My eyes play tricks on me, and I find myself constantly adjusting the color and composition of my painting.

And accuracy, well, let’s just say that accuracy isn’t exactly my strong suit. Though I’m trying to paint what my eyes see, are I can never seem to capture on the canvas what my mind sees. I've found that I need to take breaks and step back from my painting to get a fresh perspective. But even then, I'm never that accurate, no matter how many attempts I try.

Despite all these challenges, I've decided to give myself a 12-month challenge: to continue trying to paint with each week for a year. I know it's going to be a long journey, but I'm determined to get better. I want to master color theory, accuracy, and realism. And although I know it's going to take time, practice, and a lot of frustration, I'm willing to put in the work.

So this process of re-learning how to paint with acrylics has been a challenging but rewarding experience. The frustrations of color theory, accuracy, and realism have been a hurdle, but I'm determined to overcome them. I know that with time and practice, I'll get better and create paintings that I can be proud of. And until then, I'll keep trying, and I'll keep having fun.