6 years of painting progress.
Six years ago, I stepped way outside my comfort zone.
Before that, most of my work lived in illustration, watercolor, comics, and children’s book style art. Then I decided to paint my first real canvas piece as a gift for my husband, complete with a little Star Wars homage hidden in the background. I had no idea that one painting would completely change the direction of my art journey.
Since then, I’ve thrown myself into learning acrylics and oils. It’s been intimidating, messy, exciting, frustrating, rewarding, and honestly one of the best creative decisions I’ve ever made. Every painting has pushed me to learn something new, take bigger risks, and see the world differently.
Looking back over these past six years feels surreal. I still have so much to learn, but I’m really proud of how far I’ve come.
#oilpainting #fineart #artistjourney #paintingprocess #traditionalart
Embarking on a creative journey beyond my comfortable illustration and watercolor background was a transformative experience. Over these six years, I've learned that chasing better light and stronger shadows—the very essence of painting—requires patience, observation, and continuous experimentation. Starting with acrylics allowed me to quickly grasp brushwork and layering techniques, while oils introduced me to the subtlety and depth that come with blending and drying times. I remember feeling intimidated when trying to capture realistic light and shadow, but with every painting, my confidence grew. An essential part of my growth was pushing boundaries, taking creative risks such as incorporating hidden elements like a Star Wars homage in my early canvas piece. This not only added personal meaning but also made me more comfortable integrating narrative into my art. I found that focusing on how light defines form challenged me to see the world differently—observing how sunlight filters through leaves or how shadows fall under various lighting conditions sharpened my eye and improved my paintings. Watching colors shift under different light helped me understand tonal values and contrast. Sharing this journey with fellow artists through forums and hashtags like #oilpainting and #paintingprocess enriched my learning and kept me motivated. For anyone embarking on or feeling stuck in their art journey, I encourage embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and letting your passion lead your exploration. The progress over six years has been incredibly rewarding, and it all began with that first bold step outside my comfort zone.
