Day One: Crap Theory

Sometime last week I decided that, while I loved digital painting and 3d modelling, I wanted a hobby that was hands on with tangible materials. After some research (and clicking longingly through speed-paints by some very skilled artists) I decided oil painting was something I'd try. Acrylics I had already done before, and the most frustrating aspect was that the paints dried too quickly for a novice like me to mix colours or think about the painting.

I'm going to try to do a painting a day this summer while I have hours of sunshine and window ventilation (and free time), and here is number one.

Yep, it sucks. I like the idea that there a number of garbage paintings that you must get out of your system before you can make the good stuff, and this one definitely qualifies.

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Here is the original set-up, though the camera isn't precisely where my head or eyes were. I already see about 7 things I would correct, but I think I'll let it be and move on to crappy painting #2. Maybe it will even be less crappy.

Top 5 things I learned after opening my first tubes of oil paints:

• Mixing the right color is hard. I need to read more about colour theory and keep a tidier palette.
• Pthalo blue is really, really blue.
• I need to invest in some better props, including different coloured backgrounds so that not everything is lost in a sea of grey countertop.
• I need to better plan the order that I lay colours down if I'm going to try painting alla prima.
• Value studies. Do them.

The rest of the 'fresh' produce in my house is looking pretty sad, I might look for some oranges or cherries at the grocery store tonight.