Yes definitely mucks
. Artists work in all diferent sorts of mediums & tend to develop their own speciality. I worked only in pencil for years before reading, in one of Raymond Chings' books, a line about using the paintbrush like a pencil. I didn't know any specific watercolour 'techniques' but I knew how to draw, so I gave it a go. over the years I've invented my own techniques by trying things & finding what works & what doesn't. I expect that any traditional artist would be horrified watching me paint. But it works for me. I wish that the pics in the gallery showed more detail, if you are looking for it you can definitely still see areas that look more like they've been drawn than painted. I still use the paint brush like a pencil to achieve some specific effects. You could always give it a go. John always says "Anyone can paint! The thing is to forget everything you've ever been told about art and just muck around & have fun. It's by playing with the paints that you figure out what works & what doesn't"
If you want to give it a go then I do most of my work with a size 8, size 1 & size 00 round head brush & with size 5 & size 2 flat head brushes. Buy sable for the round head brushes, not nylon. Nylon is less fluid & less likely to do what you tell it to.
300gsm cold pressed paper is best if you can afford it, it doesn't crinkle up unless it gets very wet & the texture of the paper can be a big part of your painting itself. Otherwise 150 gsm is a good place to start.
& a box of Acrylic paints. A set of 12 is plenty to start with, you can mix almost any colour from these anyway. You can use these watered down for a watercolour effect or thicker for more opaque looks. I usually use both effects in any painting.
These are a very good starting point & Any art shop will be able to get you these things if you ask for them.
Then just take them home & play.
You'll probably expand your brush collection as you go if you keep up with it, but by then you'll know what sort of size you are looking for & can just ignore the numbers & examine the brushes for what looks right.
Oh, I also use a good Hog bristle pastry brush for when I am doing back washes covering large areas with very diluted paint. Especialy for skys. Also, if you have mixed 'just the right colour' & want to store it for later then old film canisters are perfect. I told you any traditional artist would be apalled by me
But believe me, if I can do it anyone can. I did miserably when I did a year of art at high school. And with the degree of creativity you've shown in your poetry I myself would love to see some of your work, pencil or, if you do try it, paints. Feckit, it would be good to see some of your work also if you would want to put some up?
(But I can't afford the $2200 
)
Whoops, thanks Ady, fixed it. Yes, he loved it there, I think that time might've been one of the happiest in his life. Just going where he wanted when he wanted. He says bits of otago remind him of there.
I'm still feeling like a kid on xmas morning
