Appreciate it, thank you.

You’re having a terrible time because of your surface. Paper makes the biggest difference in my experience, glad you’re getting some proper paper. When you want to upgrade again, look into cotton paper- the difference is night and day.

Are you painting on canvas?

I mentioned in another comment- I used a liquid masking fluid to cover the 2 smaller birds, the broom head, and the radio. Really helps with clean even washes when you can ignore those inconvenient areas and lay down some paint freely.

Thank you so much for the comment.

No, I masked the area with frisket. I actually would have used white gel but I was masking other areas anyway.

Thanks! Appreciate it :)

Yeah thank you so much. A lot of thought went into the textures on the coat actually. I know they use a couple different methods for their art, it’s all absolutely beautiful. One day I might mess around with gouache, I believe it’s what they primarily use.

Thanks! Posted over there, appreciate the suggestions!

Bonus shot

Thank you, I decided to paint almost entirely wet on wet to capture the softness of babies but I worry it’s a bit blotchy. Appreciate the comment.

Thank you! I shrunk down the image and I think I see what you’re talking about, ha. I assure you the real baby is adorably human looking!

Oh my God Secret City, I haven’t thought about that show in ages.

Lovely loose style, detailed without details is a challenge, looks great.

You nailed the metallic look of the armor. Kudos

Yeah, I used Lamp Black, Neutral Tint, Fr. Ultramarine, and Burnt Sienna. I wanted to play around with some warm and cool greys but I’m not sure if it loses a little cohesion as a result but I’m happy with most of it.

This one in contrast has that cohesive feel I was talking about since it uses only Lamp Black and Daniel Smith Moonglow.

Good is kinda relative. I like Arches cold pressed ($$$) or Baohong academy ($$). Any 100% cotton 140lb paper is probably good. Pulp paper is cheap enough I use it for watercolor sketches or studies which means I paint more but the quality is all over the place. Pulp paper is harder to paint on, it’s less forgiving of moisture control. Jackson’s has some good cheap blocks I recommend.

A wash, just being a separate, distinct layer of color or colors which is allowed to dry before a second wash may be applied.

I must have misunderstood when you said “flat”, just getting that even coat of color. Sounds like you’re using a bead to get an even wash, slowly working down the incline of your surface which is how I do it. On good paper using that method has always given me the most even wash if that’s what I’m going for.

flat water color

Might be your paper, getting an even wash has a lot to do with your paper. Your technique might be good but wood-pulp paper is tricky to get an even wash.

I’ve ordered Jackson blocks a couple times now. I’ve found the smaller Jackson blocks perfect for quick studies, practice, color checks, etc. The price is cheap enough on the smallest blocks that I just have them around the house, at work, in the car, I can pencil sketch something to paint later or whatever. Versatile.

I’ve been painting “real paintings” on Baohong lately, specifically the rolls. The price seems good for the quality/quantity but requires me to stretch the paper which I don’t like doing so we’ll see.

Thank you!

The balance of detail and abstraction is something I’m trying to work on. I find myself focusing in on some details unnecessarily and bringing attention away from the interesting bits or parts that I want to bring the viewers attention to, so your comment is particularly welcome.

I’m painting for fun and to help with anxiety mostly.

Honestly, thank you for your kind words.

Love how purposeful and also loose and casual each stroke is, it has a confidence that’s compelling.