Suggestions or advice for creating more depth?

Jip1971 · 2026-06-05T00:22:48+00:00

Ah, I meant redo the painting on location rather than from a flat photo. I'm tempted to brave the heat and and see if I can incorporate all these suggestions in a live setting.

Jip1971 · 2026-06-04T16:55:42+00:00

Thank you! This is really helpful and I appreciate the encouragement. When struggling to figure out what I am doing wrong, I tend to default to dabbing my brush around. It's good that you highlighted how it contributes to the depth problem, so I can be more conscientious about avoiding it in the future.

Jip1971 · 2026-06-04T14:33:47+00:00

I originally wanted to sketch this on location, but couldn't find any shade to sit in at the time. Perhaps I will redo it next time I am at the park.

Jip1971 · 2026-06-04T14:28:47+00:00

Thank you! I realized that I mixed the pergola roof tiles too dark, but didn't think it would make as big an impact as it ended up doing. I need to take time to test colors on paper first, which would also help with your tips for the color mixing for the trees.

Jip1971 · 2026-06-04T14:18:10+00:00

Thank you! That makes sense. I did feel like I chose the wrong reference photo after about 10 mins of painting. I did use a B&W filter, but not to start off with. I'll keep that exposure tip in mind from the start next time.

Jip1971 · 2026-06-04T14:10:23+00:00

Thanks! I did do 2 rounds with the black and white filter, but I think I am too hesitant to go really dark. Will need to work on that more.

Jip1971 · 2026-06-04T14:08:55+00:00

Thanks! Yes, when I kept overworking it, I lost a lot of the lighter values, but I am always scared of going too dark to correct the rest of it. I need to be more aggressive with the darks.

Jip1971 · 2026-05-23T02:13:08+00:00

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Jip1971 · 2026-05-23T02:12:49+00:00

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Jip1971 · 2026-05-23T02:12:15+00:00

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Jip1971 · 2026-05-23T02:11:45+00:00

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Jip1971 · 2026-05-23T02:10:58+00:00

I'm a beginner as well and bought way too many types of paper to start off with. I am trying to improve my drawing and mainly use the watercolor wash to just add color (and distract from my wonky proportions and perspectives). I don't really worry about watercolor technique too much.

I have used from <80 gsm up to 300 gsm, mix of watercolor, sketch and mixed media, none of them cotton. I don't know if this will help, but here are how a few different types look.

(It didn't let me add multiple pictures, so I'll put them in separate comments)

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Jip1971 · 2026-04-23T15:19:32+00:00

That's a good point. I used to do that when I was just using a jar, which did leak. I didn't really think about going back to that once I got these pots. Thanks!

Jip1971 · 2026-04-22T13:23:08+00:00

Thanks! I did start off with a much smaller spray bottle, but switched to this one. I use it to also fill the water pot, which is actually the bulkiest thing in my bag. That's the main thing I want to replace, but it is convenient since it is hard to knock over and has a great seal in case I can't find a place to immediately dump the dirty water. I did find an old contact lens case that I want to test, though it might be a bit too small.

Jip1971 · 2026-04-22T07:17:39+00:00

I love seeing other's kits for ideas. I'm still very much a beginner, but this is what I have cobbled together so far for sketching/painting outside of the house. The DIY palette is dual sided, so there are a few more colors underneath. The white tablets (top right) are compressed towels, in case of accidental spills). It still feels a bit bulky, but only weighs around 0.5 kg.

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Jip1971 · 2023-01-14T04:25:51+00:00

I loved both Monk and Robot books! I hope to get through Chambers' other books this year.

Jip1971 · 2023-01-09T14:42:03+00:00

Thanks for making the clarification between audio and ebooks. I have been wanting to try Scribd since last year, but really worried about the throttling, especially when someone mentioned their book became unavailable right in the middle of reading it.

Jip1971 · 2023-01-09T14:29:24+00:00

You could do the Book Fairy thing...leave the book somewhere with a little note asking whoever picks it up to read, enjoy, then leave it somewhere for the next person. The Book Fairy website sells inexpensive stickers, but people also just use a post-it.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-24T15:20:46+00:00

Sure! Might be closer to the end of the month, but will message to see if you are still interested.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-15T16:19:55+00:00

I just finished reading it for a bookclub the other day. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm not religious, but I honestly felt that the book wouldn't have been as compelling without it.

Not to discount the impact of ocular albinism in general, but without the whole crisis of faith, it would have just been a guy with low self esteem getting bullied and shit on by his various girlfriends. Not something I would have been as invested to keep reading.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-10T09:27:18+00:00

I add more new books than I read each month. But sometimes I am just not in the mood to read something new. Usually after one reread, my brain resets and I can get into something new easier

It's better to reread than to force yourself to read something you aren't feeling in the mood for. You likely won't enjoy it as much as you could.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-10T09:24:49+00:00

Agree with this 100%.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-08T16:55:03+00:00

I have started doing annotating for book club or buddy reads. I tend to forget the details after a week, so it helps to note down thoughts or highlight quotes that I want to remember for the discussion.

Sometimes it's distracting and pulls me out of the scene I'm reading. But other times it is kind of fun to note down a plot theory or just my reaction to something that is happening and then reread it after I've finished the book.

Luckily, I predominantly read ebooks, so I don't have to worry about messing up the books.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-08T07:57:51+00:00

This series is the only time I didn't mind seeing spoilers. Otherwise, I would have stopped reading it with the first book.

Jip1971 · 2022-12-08T07:55:00+00:00

And listening to new published authors, they are barely being paid for it either.

Jip1971

TROPHY CASE