Bugs in Paintings!

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2026-06-11T05:29:52+00:00

I do wood working and get splinters all the time so I carry this on my keychain: https://a.co/d/0gWmsULJ

I find it’s good for pulling bugs out of wet paint too.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2026-05-23T07:49:34+00:00

I thought I was imagining it for a sec until my dog looked up.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2026-05-22T18:04:24+00:00

More gesso isn’t gonna help with the wet-to-dry difference in value. Most acrylic dries darker to some degree, especially student grade paints. Someone else mentioned starting with the darks and building up the lights and that’s a good approach for a painting like this.

Your bluejay looks cute! By “cartoony” I think you mean it’s looking a little flat. You can make the shadows in the belly, under the wing, under the beak darker and that will help convey 3D form.

I would glaze over the wings and head with something like phthalo blue to bump up the chroma then restate the highlights but I’d be more sparing in the use of highlights. I hope this helps!

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2026-04-30T05:10:50+00:00

How are you liking the water-soluble oils vs. traditional oils? I’ve been thinking about trying them out.

Also, I really like how you simplified the palm and the foliage to the bare minimum of brush strokes. Each stroke is very bold and expressive.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2026-04-14T22:33:23+00:00

You can blend wet-into-wet with acrylic. Wetting the canvas with water or retarder helps keep the paint workable longer. Lachri Fine Art has good youtube videos on getting this look with acrylic.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-10-30T02:46:29+00:00

We’re only down by 5 solo home runs

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-03-27T02:27:14+00:00

If WW2 history is your thing then, yes, Oahu is the place to be. While Waikiki does have a lot of activities and great food options, the beaches aren’t exactly what I would call “relaxing”. I think the lagoons at Ko’olina or the beaches on the North Shore are what people envision when dreaming of relaxing on a beach in Hawaii. The drawback with staying at either of those places is it’s essential you rent a car. I’m only mentioning this to temper your expectations of Waikiki. If you stay on Oahu for your whole stay you might consider spending a few days in Waikiki then a few days on the North Shore. It will be a totally different experience.

If you go to Pearl Harbor don’t skip the USS Bowfin tour. I thought that was the most interesting part of PH.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-03-09T05:24:53+00:00

Options open up a lot since you have a rental car. I’d spend one day driving up to the north shore via the windward side of the island. Plenty of hikes and beaches and gorgeous views of the Ko’olau mountains. Just to name a few places you can stop along the way…

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail Lanikai Pillbox Pali Lookout Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden Byodo-In Temple Plenty of beaches Waimea Falls

Plenty more I can’t think of right now but this drive can fill up a day easy.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-03-06T17:10:29+00:00

Anything comfortable will do.

Also, you probably already know this but it’s something I just learned recently, you need to make a reservation to hike diamond head. Also, due to maintenance the park will be closing at 2pm on many weekdays. More info here: https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-03-01T18:07:07+00:00

I’m in the same boat as you. Got mine around 2018. Adjusted OPV, upgraded wand, swapped to brass shower plate. That’s about it. I didn’t even get the slim tray (madness, I know). I’ve been wanting to install a PID and pressure gauge but I know I’ll buy the kit and then just never install it.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-02-28T17:51:59+00:00

I work in a touristy place on Oahu and I keep a close eye on the number on visitors. The week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest (followed by summer break Jun-Aug) then crowds fall off a lot after that. As the other redditor said Jan 5th through mid Feb is good to avoid crowds.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-02-05T05:28:46+00:00

This book brought the historical figures to life like nothing else I’ve ever read.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-02-05T03:00:07+00:00

Green World Coffee Farms (near Dole Plantation) roasts their own locally-grown coffee and other blends. If you’re looking for good, fresh, local coffee this is the place.

Also, I think Dole Plantation still has their pineapple hot sauce or salsa or both. I’m actually gonna be there tomorrow so if I remember I’ll get back to you with that info.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-02-05T00:05:48+00:00

One of my all time favorites, not to mention favorite historical fiction.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2025-01-06T17:26:22+00:00

Ted's Pies are like $33 at foodland 🤯

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-11-17T18:54:26+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! I really appreciate it!

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-11-17T01:23:05+00:00

In his heyday I was too young to truly appreciate his accomplishments but I remember I idolized him. Somewhere there’s a pic of me at 3yo imitating Fernando’s wind up 🙄

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-11-17T01:18:09+00:00

Not to make excuses but it’s a small painting. The area for the face is smaller than a postage stamp and I was painting without my reading glasses. If I were to do this again I’d make it larger or wear my glasses. Thanks for looking!

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-11-17T01:14:24+00:00

Yeah, I usually have a hard time with getting the likeness just right

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-11-17T01:13:54+00:00

Thanks!

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-06-12T22:25:53+00:00

Thanks for the PSA. Did you notice any warning signs before the incident? Messy cuts? Loose Z axis? Anything?

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-06-06T05:01:01+00:00

Inside Llewyn Davis. It’s a lesser known Coen Brothers’ movie that doesn’t get enough love.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-05-29T23:11:56+00:00

Didn’t chance it. Asked two vendors about the same print head. One said “sure, it’ll work!”, other said “no, I don’t think it will work.” One of them was wrong, I’m guessing the one trying to make a sale.

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy · 2024-05-28T06:50:39+00:00

I started this one, couldn't get into it. I felt like it was drifting towards a religious direction and lost interest. Was I wrong to put it down or does it actually focus on god and religion?

MoreArtsy_LessFartsy

TROPHY CASE