my step son purchased a art set for me yesterday.
44 Jumbo oil pastels
36 color pencils
24 watercolor cakes
12 6cc watercolors
1 hb drawing pencil
2 2b drawing pencils
2 paint brushes
Eraser
sharpener.

The set is pretty inexpensive but It has a little bit of everything. This gives me a chance try a few new things art wise. So I tried the water colors. I must have used the wrong paper though, because as soon as I started painting the paper swelled up.

here it is.

[attachmentid=3998]

Hi Williac, sounds like a great set....Kind of like a kid with a new toy ayyy? ....lol ...the first time I tried water colors I did the same thing and my paper sort of wilted....lol....I bought some rough surface heavyweight water color paper and it sure holds up much better.....Great first....look forward to seeing more of those cat's of yours, Brian.

Good first attempt Williac --- just like in the construction business, you have to prep the surface first before painting and you have to use the right tools for the job. LOL Yes, watercolors need to be used on watercolor paper and actually should be "stretched" before use. Try "googling" and search for some watercolor basics to learn how to use them. Try www.about.com and see what they have.

Don't give up!

Anxiously awaiting the return of "Fixed" cartoons.

thanks for the replies. I checked out some basic watercolor theory. I am looking forward to trying some of the techniques they mentioned. I painted wet on wet. I can't believe how much I enjoyed doing that little painting. Before I tried it , I spent the day at work painting a house being remodeled. I know It might not be the proper matierial but I am going to get some pieces of drywall from work and try to paint on them. We just throw the scrap pieces away, so If It works It will be pretty convenient for me. We also have TONS of leftover cans of interior paint, in a rainbow of colors. The possibilities are pretty wide open!!!!!!

A "FIXED" cartoon is in the pencil stages right now.


WILLIAC

Hi Williac;

I'm still new here myself and am still browsing the different areas of this site. I saw your cat water colour and I had to comment. I love the expression on his/her face!!! You have a whimsical style and it's so fresh. I really like this!

Great first painting! I hope to see more!

Bonny in BC

Williac - good idea for practice on the drywall but once again, it has to be primed before you can really get any use of it. Once it is primed you can use acrylic or latex paint on it. Latex paints are really good for backgrounds if you are using acrylic paints. This is not a very good surface for watercolors though. Basically, watercolors should only be used on watercolor paper otherwise, the paper will warp. The paper on drywall won't warp but it will absorb the water and won't be good at all.

I wish I could draw with paints or oils... I have tried and it was a mess .

Bonny: thanks for the praise. a whimsical style I like that!! It sounds better than "kinda looks like
what its supposed to be"
I followed the links in your signature. I enjoyed seeing your drawings, and photos.

painter48: Thanks for your advice. I have a bad habit of trying to do everything "On The Cheap", with things I can get for free.

kim1963: after looking at your gallery(awesome stuff!!!). I can't imagine there is anything art-wise you couldn't do well if you put your mind to it.

Williac - We all like to save money - unfortunately, art is a rather expensive hobby unless you are just doing graphite or charcoal drawings. The rule of thumb is...................buy the most expensive that you can afford.
Whether that be brushes, paper, canvas, paints or whatever.

What a shame but it is the truth. Just don't let it stop you - you've got the bug and you are making improvements already. You have the will-power and you will do well.