Acrylic Live Class First Two Paintings

These are my efforts on the current Mondays with Matt live class on acrylics. I struggle with the fast drying time, which keeps me from pre-mixing different colors for use in the paintings. Happy to have critiques and shared experiences with the class.

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These are both wonderful James and you are definitely in the right place to be showing us your work! Glad you started another place to show our acrylic live class (since I’m the one messed up the title before!) LOL
Therese

Thank you, Therese! This was my first post, and I didn’t know what I was doing. Looking forward to seeing some of the landscape efforts soon.

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Zman,

You did a wonderful job. The pear looks like I could take a bite out of it. Thank you for sharing your progress.

Teri (Artsy)

Hi everyone. I did the value scale, but then decided I really wanted some lighter values to better match the reference photo. I also decided to do mine in blue. I’m not crazy about pink.

Terri Robichon

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I love the blue too Terri! Your value scale must have been right on cuz it’s looking great!
Therese

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Terri, what a great idea to use the sketch book to juxtapose the value study opposite the painting! I am beginning to think the format you are showing here is a strength for acrylics and their short drying time.

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Hi Forum friends - I started work on the “acrylic pear” today and put in about 5 hours so far. It’s in my little art journal which has heavy watercolor paper and painting is 4x6. I started by adding clear gesso to the paper. Here is what my process looks like. Watercolor is one of my first loves, so I applied some on my watercolor techniques (which vary somewhat from Matt’s lessons). Not done yet, but I like seeing when others post what they are working on before it’s done.

Terri Robichon

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Hi Terri @robichon ,

thanks for sharing. I enjoy to see the process before it’s all done as well. :slight_smile:

Did you apply gesso with a brush? Did you do anything after that or you just let it dry and paint directly on it?

I am asking because I bought gesso recently but haven’t use it yet.

Thanks.

Lucy

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Here is my tea cup and unfinished pear from Monday’s with Matt. :grin:

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Wonderful job :ok_hand:t3:! I love your art journal as well!

Sonia

Hi @Lucy

Yes, I applied (clear) gesso with a brush, making sure to get it nice and smooth. Then just started painting away. When I previously tried painting on the watercolor paper with no Gesso, I was having problems with how absorbent the paper was behaving.

It is okay to add come paint (color) to the Gesso also before using it.

Terri Robichon

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@Zman

They seem pretty effortless to me! Well done!

Sonia

Thank you for your kind remarks, Sonia! I have never used acrylic paints before, so I am enjoying the class for all of the beginner learning. Lots of great suggestions on the forum for surfaces and techniques.