Oh the Pressure of Painting #7

Alright so as you know I have been officially painting for 1 month Yeah!!

I was talking to my Gramma and she was informing me that my Grandpa finally had his Grave stone put in at his burial site :(

She sounded a little down so I asked her so Gramma what would you want in a painting if you could have anything? She said Mijo I would want a flower I can hang up. I said a flower why? she said because you Grandpa would never make me one. He said he was not able to paint flowers and she had always wanted one. I said, OK Gramma I will see what I can do; and left it at that.

I was stuck in my mind oh now there was pressure. I so wanted to make my Gramma a painting that she could be proud of.

I started to paint because I just wanted to, not because I wanted to make artwork for others. I don't want to turn something I enjoy and that relaxes me into something that stresses me out.

Now I started to think man maybe I shouldn't have shared with my family and friends that I am able to paint OK I mean everyone likes what I have done so far and I must say for my first month of oil painting I am very proud of my painting so far. I can personally see my mistakes and weaknesses that a beginner painter has so I feel that I need to still refine my skills before painting for anyone but everyone has already said I want a painting how much$$ I don't want to charge my family I mean but yes oil painting supplies are pretty expensive.

So here I go I went to the Painting supply store "Michael's" and purchased 3 18"x 20" canvas boards. Oooooh yeah my biggest canvas yet!! now what to paint hmmmmmmmm?

So I started watching this video from an older lady, I am not sure of here name but she has made guest appearances on the Bob Ross show. She is a flower expert painter.

WHOA!! Now I realize why my Grandpa said I don't do flowers! He was a smart man haha these flowers are so hard a pain in the ass, I mean I would rather do 3 landscape paintings than 1 flower one...

OK so my mind is made up Gramma wants a flower I am going to make her a flower but not just a flower i want an arrangement yeah that sounds good.

I got all setup:

Paints (Check)

Brushes (Check)

Thinner/medium (Check)

Bottle of wine (Check) My mom laughed when I told her i would drink wine when I painted.

Canvas (Check)
Skill (Nervous)

OK so I hope this long story has built up the anticipation here is the final out come.

18" x 20" Canvas board

Things learned on this painting

1. Flowers are HARD to paint!!!
2. Do not use liquid white in the flower just for the background areas
3. Need a great half inch flat brush
4. Always have a good chiseled point on the tip of brush
5. My flowers had more depth than the first time I tried but need to keep practicing

I took the painting to my Gramma and showed her and told her this is for you since my Grampy never made you one...

She started to cry and was like OMG! Thank you!!

I told her I would take it home wait for it to dry then frame it and take it to her in a couple weeks.

I personally think it looks OK but i need to refine my skills and practice.

Hope you enjoy this painting as I have :)