Alice in Wonderland series...

[Twas Brillig]

Hi everyone!

Just want to share the first 2 paintings in my Alice in Wonderland series. I'm doing a triptych....the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen. There's also a Jabberwocky in process but he is nowhere near being finished! The Red Queen is nearing completion and I will share her soon.

I'm pleased to add that I sold a giclee print of my Mad Hatter yesterday! Very exciting for me as I'm brand new to painting, only been doing it since September. These works are in acrylics on 12x12 inch canvases.

Please give me some  honest feedback on these pieces. Constructive criticism will only help me grow!!! 

I'm also planning to take some oil painting classes early next year and to learn some real techniques!!! 

[Heathr03]

I'm not a painter so I don't know how much my opinion matters but I love these!
I think you've done a great job and I'm amazed that you just started a few months ago! Can't wait to see the Red Queen...
The colors are rich and complimentary.
The style seems folk art which is perfect for this subject.
I know their are tricks to placing subjects and elements so that the eye travels in a circle and ultimately stays on the painting, But I'm not well trained and it's kind of late.

I can have DH look at it tomorrow (He's been taking art classes for 3 yrs now)
 
Did you take a class for Acrylics? DH thinks they're trickier than oils because they dry so quickly, but then he hasn't taken a formal class for acrylics, just oils and watercolor.

[JewelrybyNaLa]

I can't believe you're new to painting--don't tell that to other artists if you don't want to get your butt kicked! 

Your work is amazing!

[InvyStudios]

Honestly, they are great pieces. I can't draw or paint, but I know what I like. These are very cutesy, or more aptly folksy (like Heather said). Alice will be very popular in the coming year with the new movie coming out ( Johnny Depp ). I have a couple Alice themed journals in the works as well, although mine are a little more dark. Yours will have a more broad fan base they look like they belong in a print of an Alice story. I can't wait to see your Red Queen, she is one of my favorites (next to the Mad Hatter).
Congrats on the sale too!

[memoriesinmosaics]

Well, you are definitely in the right medium if you just started to paint in Sept. Goodness, you are so very talented. I would love to be able to paint like this.

[Twas Brillig]

Thank you all! I appreciate the kind words more than you know!

Heather...no, I've never taken a painting class in my life. I just like the feel of acrylics. They do dry extremely quickly but I learned to work with it. The interesting part has been the changes in what techniques I have tried since I started the White Rabbit. He has a ton of dry brushing. The Red Queen has much more blending and floating. I don't even know if those are the  proper terms! LOL 

I stopped between the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen to do another painting for an art show in my hometown. Can you believe THAT? I was asked to show a piece? Blew me away! It's a folksy take on a photo I took last spring.  These dang cows taught me more than I can say!

For your consideration!  ..............

Here's the photo....



And here's the painting.....

[InvyStudios]

I know a lot of people use the term 'cute' when they don't have anything else to say, but I really mean this...the cows made me smile, they are so cute. I hope that is not offensive to an artist, but it is what I felt when I saw them. Great work.

[Twas Brillig]

LOL Dusty! No offense taken   I think they're cute too! My art (thus far) definitely is on the whimsical side...it will be hard for me to paint a 'serious' subject!

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

You want critiques? You should be giving them, these are wonderful 

Seriously, great job for just a few months at it...you gave those cows such individual personality! I love them.

[Heathr03]

Those cows definitely have character! Great job and likeness!

DH's only suggestion was to work on depth which involves blending and shading to give the subject more of 3- dimentional look.

Although he tends to paint realistically, I don't think he could do whimsical or cute to save his life! (even th pen an ink linx cub is serious!)

You should learn specific techniques and the language in your first class, the rest will be hands on so keep at it!

[Twas Brillig]

The dimensional thing is tough! I had some success with it which is hard to see from the photo but I know it definitely needs a lot of work! 

Thank you all for your input! I can't wait to start my classes next month. The instructor is a fantastic artist. I have been told he can "teach a stick to paint."  I look forward to sharing my new works with you in the months ahead!

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

Nice work  I really like these a lot.

Stumbled and Scheduled Tweet, grat job

http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic%252C2368.0.html

[Charon]

 I really want to see the Jabberwock now. They look great. I know absolutely nothing about visual arts, but it works for me. They give a sortof classical childhood feel to the subjects. Happier images of a story that, honestly, was pretty dark. It's an interesting way to see established characters.

[Ambient_Girl]

I think you're very talented and your work is beautiful.  I can't believe you've been painting for such a short time!  There are so many different categories you could get into.  Have you thought about painting for children's books?  Just an idea, they're beautiful!

[Twas Brillig]

AG...funny you should mention the childrens' book idea. Yes, I've been approached by a local childrens' book author to illustrate her stories! She saw the White Rabbit & Mad Hatter when they were about half finished and said she thinks I'm definitely the one to illustrate her stories! That was awfully exciting...just being asked!  I'm supposed to get in touch with her after the holidays to start talking about the details!  ))))

I'm thinking that my next acrylic triptych will be something out of the Brothers Grimm. Little Red Riding Hood seems to be speaking to me!

Charon....stay tuned...as soon as I can get some good light here I'll snap pix of the Jabberwock and post them. It's  not finished but the artist who challenged me to paint him said he's coming along very well!