#learningoils

Finished! First full oil painting. Mostly for exploration sake, to get a feel for the paint and because well, pigeons. I'll get brave and varnish her at somepoint.

Yup, oils are harder to photograph for sure... any tips or tricks? 😂 Of course one of the first things I try to paint is a pigeon. Pigeons are lovely. And incredibly pretty birds, when you look beyond their reputation. First layer done, currently drying.

Second layer for this oil painting of Charlie, my old gal. Playing with thicker backgrounds, but of course I misjudged my medium again and it's sticky still!

Is it possible for photography skills to get worse? Because I am fairly sure mine are getting worse. 😂 Final of Charlie, my old gal who is no longer with us. Not the greatest of paintings, but an important one in learning some new skills.

First layer on a small painting of Charlie, my first greyhound who is no longer with us. She was so gorgeous! Using larger brushes again - big strokes for big shapes.

First attempt at freeform oils - aka, not a tutorial... of course, it's going to be a pigeon. It's turning out very naïve, but I can see the potential in the long run!

Look at this delicious mess! I'm learning oils. This is a preview of my first; "not following a tutorial, off into the wilderness on my own" oil painting, and this is the stage where I usually decide if I am enjoying the medium and want to keep going. In the case of oils, I am head over heels in love. I can't stop :) So I will start sharing my oily adventures here from the beginning and totally expect a painting of Maisie happening soon...!

Painting this little lady tonight - thanks for being my model Katie - even if it's not the best likeness 🙈good fun though - I'm going to try and do another portrait tomorrow night ✌️ #learningtopaint #learningoils #learningportraits #portrait #portraitpainting #oiloncanvas #oilpainting #leicester #leicestershire #leicestertattoo