First Attempt at Oils

I finally took the big step and ventured into "painting with oils," and what fun it was. The pattern is one of Annette Kowalski's pattern's found in the Bob Ross Oil painting books.  I had recently visited the Ocooch Hardwoods store in Richland Center, WI with my husband who was looking for some woods for an intarsia project, when I immediately fell in love with many of the oil paintings on the wall of the store.  I have my eye on one in particular, but that is a whole 'nother blog story.  Anyway, I got talking with the Mrs., and I asked her if she would be willing to teach me a lesson.  Much to my surprise she said she would teach me and we set up a date.  My hats off to Carol.  I loved every minute of the class.  You see Carol doesn't teach painting, but she loves to paint and she has been painting for many years.  Her sister, now 75 was the Certified Bob Ross teacher from whom she learned.  I thought she was fabulous.  We both painted the same picture and as many of you artists know, no two are ever alike, and that was the case on Saturday , May 21, 2011.  I thought both were beautiful.

 I really was impressed with how my first painting turned out if I may say so myself.  But the more I look at it the more I see MORE mistakes, etc.  Jeff was, I think, completely blown away by it.  He even suggested we frame it and keep it.  That I believe is a first from him when it comes to my paintings.  In his words, "I thought it was just going to be another floral picture like all the other One Stroke paintings."

Not that there is anything wrong with One Stroke painting, it just gets to the point sometimes, that all the paintings begin to look alike.  I know that I am now hooked on this painting medium and have great ideas about what I am going to paint next.  My long term goal is to paint a wolf that my mother, brother and uncle would be proud to hang in their homes.  With that said, I better get practicing as that is at least three wolves I am going to have to paint!  Happy painting everyone!