Hope you are all well.
Other than the introduction this is my first post. I consider myself a beginner despite dabbling in drawing many moons ago. I have been so excited about starting some of the courses. So far I have completed the 25 days to better drawing and just started the coloured pencil course. Matt Is a fantastic instructor, and I have learnt a lot about art already and about myself, as follows
I know very little about art, there is so much more to It than I originally thought - sketching a few lines on any old piece of paper and colouring with one layer between the lines.
Most importantly – to all you beginners out there- persevere. Nearly all my efforts below nearly ended up in the bin in the early stages – my thoughts included “it looks a funny shape, the proportions aren’t right, too dark etc. But if you persevere you may be surprised at the end result.
I want all the professional artist materials but I’m a poor old soul …ahhh… and can’t afford it….so I’ll have to wait for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas etc and hopefully my kids will help me get better art materials – we will see. However, I have purchased the basics although it probably won’t help me to create a Rembrandt equivalent … it’s a start.
I’m eager to create something of my own……but more haste less speed…I need to understand what squiggles go where on the paper before I venture solo without Matt’s expert teaching and guidance.
I welcome any comments good bad or indifferent on my efforts below……I want to learn and improve so don’t be shy I’m a tough cookie. By the way I have looked regularly at the “shared art” forum on here….and so many of you are amazing artists.
Hello Sue, the lessons that you posted, you are not a beginner and I don’t think you ever dabbled in art. Well done, looking forward to seeing more of your work. Thanks for sharing.
James from Covina Ca
It is so good to see your amazing drawings here! Thank you so much for sharing. Those drawings are really good, and they get even better after finding out that you are a beginner! Wow!
I think you should lose the fear of creating anything without a tutorial because you are already ready, in my humble opinion. Just draw what you love and the rest will come with practice. I have been there, and I have posted what I call the good, the bad and the ugly haha. Everyone here is very supportive and encouraging, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, but Practice makes Progress!
One thing I have struggled to overcome is my fear to push the darker values.
Please keep posting!!
You are doing really well. The one thing I always tell myself, that might help you improve, is you almost always need to make the darks, DARKER.
On the peppers, they look a little “flat”. You need more layers to fill the texture of the paper and a bigger range of values. Lighter lights, and darker darks. Here is my drawing so you can compare.
Hope this is helpful. I am so glad you are sharing your work with us.
Terri Robichon
Thank you all for your lovely comments. Terri I can certainly see the difference with lights and darks when comparing your peppers to mine. Sonia, I too find it hard to know how dark to go for fear of over darkening. I really appreciate any help and support to help me progress. I had such a job finding the right colours and shades…“a bad workman blames his tools” I have a very limited range of colours that are certainly not of the best quality. I hope to be able to purchase some better ones soon. Can anyone recommend good colouring pencils that wont require remortgaging my home Thank you again and look forward to seeing more of everyone’s art and learning more from you all.
I’d suggest Prismacolor Premier Colored pencils. You’ll find they are the ones that Matt uses the most.
I’m looking at Blick and they sell a set of 12 for $12.80 / a set of 24 for $24.80 / a set of 36 for $36.80 / and a set of 48 for $49.80.
Bigger sets are also available, but any of the above will give you what you need. Keeping budget in mind I think you should consider a set of 24 or 36. If you do decide to go with this brand, I strongly recommend that you also purchase the Colorless Blender. A package of 2 is $3.55.
Thank you so much. I live in the UK, Blick does international shipping but cant tell you cost until calculated 3-4 days after the order. shipping could be costly. Thank you very much for looking. I will search places nearer to home for Prismacolour hopefully I can find a good bargain somewhere Thank you.
and can’t afford it….so I’ll have to wait for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas etc and hopefully my kids will help me get better art materials – we will see. However, I have purchased the basics although it probably won’t help me to create a Rembrandt equivalent … it’s a start. 
I have a very limited range of colours that are certainly not of the best quality. I hope to be able to purchase some better ones soon. Can anyone recommend good colouring pencils that wont require remortgaging my home 
Thank you again and look forward to seeing more of everyone’s art and learning more from you all.