Hi I have recently discovered the Painting channel and this website. I have very little art talent and even less skill, but I make up for it all with bags of enthusiasm and lots of paper !! I would love to correspond with like minded people, or even meet for coffee if you are local. I will paint or draw with anything to hand, and have recently taken up painting with melted wax. I would love to be good at watercolours (or anything really) but my efforts mostly end up in the recycling bin !!

A North East painters group would be interesting Sharon

Hi Marion,welcome to the world of art,you'll love it,I've been painting for 8 years now,whats your'e favourite medium up to now, have you tried pastels,messy, but good,my paintings often hit the bin,if it does'nt go right,where abouts do you live then,I live in Lincolnshire,melted wax eh? sounds interesting,do you go to a class,I do I can recomend it,good social life too,I've done everything from oils, to charcoal,if I'm in the right mood it will go fine,if not UGH! say no more,keep in touch if you want to talk, I'm often on,

Hi Sharon A north east group would be a good idea - you are from Newcastle ? I live near Durham. Maybe we should start one ? my email address is m.scottwilliams@hotmail.co.uk

Hi Joan, Have a look at websites on Encaustic Art - they give you all the information about painting with wax. You use an iron rather than a brush. I saw it at the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate last year. I bought the starter pack and my younger daughter takes great delight in telling people she bought me an iron for christmas !! I am probably best at acrylic, but really love watercolours. I started painting many years ago, but gave it up when my girls were small and took up embroidery instead (easier to pick up and put down) I have had several starts again, and one evening class which I loved, but I can't find a one local enough at the moment. I have put my email address on my reply to Sharon if you prefer to use that ?

hi, good to hear from you,I was never any good at embroidery,I like acrylics,but I bought some water based oils and I prefer them,easier to apply,I shall on a short time as I take my Mum for lunch on a sunday,but I shall be on again this evening,its warm here, lovely,in class tomorrow night we're doing pastel,another favourite,messy but good,do you use msn messageing at all, my Email address is rainbow44@hotmail.com,

hi sharon,what are your favourite mediums, I'm hopefully going to sell a couple through my class,they take them to this place and people buy them,if they sell I shall faint as I havent sold one yet,

Hello Joan and Marion I tend to use acrylics and and acrylic inks though I do have watercolours and oil pastels as well as other bits and pieces - I'm just not very good with any of them...LOL I'm in Newcastle upon Tyne and work full time so I don't get much time to practice - we could always form an online North East group to start with! My email is cat_artist@blueyonder.co.uk Sharon

Hello Sharon,I've never tried acrylic inks,just the paint,I did a mountain picture in soft pastel mon night,took 2 of my pics to sell too,a pastel pic off Stepping stones at Derwent,and Dorset Coastline in watersoluable crayons,I've not sold any yet, so heres hoping,its surprising when you start painting how time flies,I reckon pastels the quickest of them,I get more on me then on the paper,ha ha,

Hi Joan and Sharon. I tried emailling you both a couple of times last night, but Hotmail is being a pain and wouldn't send anything at all. Tried again tonight and the same has happened. Will need to get a new email address I think. I haven't heard of acrylic inks - do you paint with them or use a pen ? (now I feel really ignorant) I work too Sharon, but only 4 days a week so have a little more time to indulge, but you wouldn't know it from the results !! Does your email address suggest an interest in cats ?? I used to breed and show pedigree Burmese. My last cat dies 18 months ago aged 22.5 years ! He was extremely dumb - so thick he didn't realise he should have died years ago !! He was absolutely gorgeous though ! Joan, you mentioned you live alone - me too. I am divorced and my two daughters live in the Nottingham/Derby area No 1 daughter is doing a Phd at Nottingham Uni and No2 daughter has just moved in with her boyfriend after getting her degree at Huddersfield Uni. I have done pencil portaits of them which are vaguely recognisable so I am quite impressed with myself !!