I haven't been posting much, but I have been painting. Here's one from yesterday.

[femmedem]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPlsYpnYp0/

Almost every Saturday I sign up for a remote painting session via Atelier Dojo. It's a great deal: $5 for the three hours. The costumed models are always beautifully lit, and we share work once an hour, so there's a sense of community, too.

My work has gotten so much better over the last year, and these weekly painting sessions are a big reason why.

[pwb]

1. Nice.

.

[femmedem]

2. Thank you! n/t

[Freedomofspeech]

3. Wow! That is brilliant.

[femmedem]

4. Thank you so much!

I've been studying online and practicing as much as I can. Mr. Femmedem is learning, too, so it's been a treat to share this with him over the last year.

[Trueblue Texan]

5. Thank you for sharing...

...I can't imagine ever being able to paint that well...but I continue to try various mediums. Again, thanks.

[femmedem]

8. Thanks, Trueblue Texan.

I couldn't have imagined myself painting this well a year or two ago either, but I've been studying from a variety of sources. From Steven Bauman's patreon page I've learned the importance of dividing images into clear lights and darks and from New Master's Academy (an online resource with thousands of hours of first-rate instruction) I've learned both from lectures and--more important-- demonstrations. It's so helpful to see how an artist goes about starting a painting!

[Trueblue Texan]

9. And thanks for this info too!

[Atticus]

6. I admire your talent, which these studies definitely prove. nt

[femmedem]

7. Thanks, Atticus.

I'm not so sure about talent though: I think it more proves the power of study and practice. I think most people can learn to draw and paint. I'm watching Mr. Femmedem make tremendous strides this year and he had never studied drawing.

[mwmisses4289]

10. Lovely

[femmedem]

12. Thank you and welcome to DU!

Nice to meet you!

[femmocrat]

11. Wow, that is really excellent.

You are very talented!

[femmedem]

13. Thank you! It's more practice than talent.

But I'm glad you like it!

[bif]

14. Really nice!

So talented.

[femmedem]

16. Thanks, Bif. I hope you know I'm a fan of your work, too. n/t

[OregonBlue]

15. Many good artists in my family so I can say without a doubt, you have talent. And plenty of.

Simply beautiful brush work.

[femmedem]

17. Thank you!

Something I've focused on these past few months is not tightening up so much that I lose the brushwork. Things that have helped: being meticulous about not blending on the canvas (or board, in my case) but mixing each individual color and value on the palette, and buying better quality brushes.

[OregonBlue]

19. It's working. Your brush work is very good. And very rare. Many artists don't manage to

ever find the technique that really works. I salute you. It takes so much effort to make it look effortless.

[Karadeniz]

18. So glad you're developing your obvious talent... we get to enjoy the results! Thanks!

[femmedem]

21. Thank you! That's kind of you to say. n/t

[leighbythesea2]

20. Your technique and color

Are wonderful! I love it!

[femmedem]

22. Thank you!

I was a mediocre art student decades ago but started painting and drawing again about two years ago. It's been a great stress buster, especially during these covid times.

[LiberalLoner]

23. I am in awe of your painting abilities! Brava!

👍❤️🌹

[femmedem]

26. Thank you!

You're no slouch yourself.

[lunatica]

24. Your portrait is excellent in more ways than one

Is that you? I ask because it reminds me of your nose on your other self portraits.

Your warm and cool palette are really compelling and the way you paint texture is quite good. The portrait has a moody and thoughtful air. You’ve done a great job of painting the highlights and shadows with brushstrokes and without putting in much detail. It doesn’t need any more detail. The colors you picked are elegant. You did a great job!

[femmedem]

25. Thanks so much, lunatica.

This one isn't me--but the nose doesn't look like the model's. It was the one place I didn't catch her likeness. I notice I always make noses too long!

Your analysis captured the two things I worked on: using warm shadows/cool lights and simplifying rather than getting lost in detail.