Hi there, I have just joined the SAA and have just got back into painting after a huge gap ( in years )!!!, cant believe what I have been missing all this time and I would love to hear from '' fellow artists '' Thanx

Hi Lipizzaner! You know what they say; "better late than never!" Also, I think that when you pick up your painting again after a spell away from it, you get into it with a vigor and enthusiasm the second time around.
A very warm welcome to SAA!

Well done, and very best wishes,

Steve Williams
PA & RSC Wigan area

Hello there Steve thankyou for the nice welcome - its true what you say about returning to the art world, all I want to do is paint, paint and more paint. I have a ''arty'' question for you and everybody who may read this, what medium would you use to paint a springer spaniel ( colour- liver and white ) which belongs to my cousin. This will be a wedding gift for her haha hopefully.
Love Lisa.

Hello Lisa, A friend of mine has done a couple of springers and she did them with soft pastels on velour paper. They are amazing and she hasnt been doing it long, just found her medium with these pastels. I have tried velour paper, cant get away with it, but the pastels would mean you could get the shading and blending using the soft ones and detail with pastel pencils. Good luck. Margaret

Hi Lisa! I would fully endorse the route of Soft Pastels on Velour as I've seen some incredibly good work with this medium.
As a (mainly) Acrylic painter, I would consider this route but, ultimately, the choice is yours, but why not try one of each?

Good luck and very best wishes,


Steve Williams
PA & RSC Wigan area

Hi I'm a new member too after along break from painting due to family comitments. I have found so many things have changed in the painting world, so many new materials on the market now. I am at present trying to find an open exhibtion to exhibit my paintings, but it seems all to be art societys that have th shows. What media do you work in, I have worked mostly in watercolour but now trying acrylics.

Happy painting Liz

Liz and Lisa
Keep your eyes open for open art exhibitions advertising in the magazines and consider entering a couple. I also had some years in the wilderness, so know how you feel.

Lisa. I'm guessing by your user name that you are into horses. Have you thought of painting scenes from gymkhanas? (Setting myself up to look silly here if you don't do horsey stuff)

Julie

Hello Lisa, the main thing after such a break, and we all have them, is to enjoy yourself, and with each sucessive painting you'll get better and better. Have a great time painting

Thanks again for your messages and yes Julie horses are a very special part of my life. I used to be a cross-country rider but due to back injuries i no longer compete ( injury nothing to do with my horses/riding ) I have just finished a painting of a '' Spitfire '' for my dads birthday next week, it is now at my local picture framers , so can't wait pick it up. Getting ready to start my next painting an amazing ruin of a medieveal old hall ( if it turns out ok, might keep that one ).

Love Lisa XXXX