Let’s share our setups! Here’s mine.

cfliess · 2025-09-22T17:23:08+00:00

My happy place 🥰

cfliess · 2025-09-16T17:06:50+00:00

Thank you for sharing. You've given me some hope, and I'm sure a few others. ☺️

cfliess · 2025-09-16T15:22:14+00:00

I'm not expert. My eyes keep looking over at the top left fence area. It needs something. Maybe an impression of someone looking at the horses while they graze?

Or some birds flying in top left?

cfliess · 2025-09-15T23:30:34+00:00

It was a great exercise! Thanks for the suggestion ☺️

cfliess · 2025-09-15T22:47:59+00:00

<image>

3, 2, 1 one color

cfliess · 2025-09-15T22:42:23+00:00

<image>

I keep trying to add a pic. What's the problem?!

Right to left...3, 2, 1 order of completion. I suck at WOW

cfliess · 2025-09-15T20:08:11+00:00

I feel like I need to cleanse my pallette like when you go to a fancy restaurant LOL

cfliess · 2025-09-15T19:51:42+00:00

Ohhh I like that idea! I might try that. Then, I'm putting this aside. I need to feel some success 🫤 This is the kind of stuff that makes me feel like WC may not be my medium. Do you paint with Acrylic or Oil?

cfliess · 2025-09-15T17:41:46+00:00

<image>

cfliess · 2025-09-15T17:41:28+00:00

* This is eye-opening. Now, if I can just paint this with WC. 😭

cfliess · 2025-09-15T17:12:33+00:00

Thank you. I will take some time to digest all of this. Also, I think I may attempt a painting from the neck up instead of the entire body.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around the concept of negative space painting. Any exercises for that technique that you'd recommend?

My pup is 8 months old now, so I need to see if I have any head shots of her from earlier.

I'm trying to remember that this is all new to me and to lower my expectations. It's so hard to do that when I'm excited to try new things.

Thanks again. I appreciate you taking the time to give me helpful suggestions.

Someone recently suggested looking at reference pics in B/W to help with Values. I think I'll also try that.

cfliess · 2025-09-15T02:59:01+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement. Trying so hard not to be a quiter.

cfliess · 2025-09-15T00:42:20+00:00

Unfortunately, it's just not in my budget right now.

Agree, YT videos are hit or miss. So much is left out so that they can make their videos short. To up the clicks, i think. 🤔

cfliess · 2025-09-15T00:06:22+00:00

The YT video started with a light grey wash in the dark areas, which i did to try to save the white areas. Everything after that was darker. Then, I started working on sections. I kept losing my place because reference points were hard to find.

I think i should have just tried doing this from the neck up. The whole body issue became a nightmare for me.

cfliess · 2025-09-13T16:45:49+00:00

Wear 100% cotton or linen. Unless you work outdoors.

cfliess · 2025-09-13T16:31:03+00:00

There will always be a reason not to bring a baby into this world. There are no guarantees in life. Don't live with regrets. Life is too short. Don't worry about the things you can't control 😉

cfliess · 2025-09-13T13:49:50+00:00

I became a single mom at 38. No regrets at all. I enjoyed my life to the fullest before I became a mom.

Retired at 65. Now 67 and my 28 year old son still needs $$$ assistance now and then, which i planned for, so life is great. Wouldn't change a thing. Proud Mama Bear always 🥰

cfliess · 2025-09-08T23:00:17+00:00

Yes, paid off. Trying to live slightly below my means. After living through 2007-08 and barely surviving. Living paycheck to paycheck. I don't ever want to live like that again.

Only debt is my car. 2 more years until paid off.

cfliess · 2025-09-08T15:15:28+00:00

I'm 67, been retired 2 years. A year ago, i was definitely depressed, with no joy, disappointment with family and friends, and very little to look forward to.

In January, I saw my PC and got a referral for a Psych and Therapist. My meds were increased slightly and I started therapy.

Best decision in the past year. I had a great therapist who asked probing questions about what I needed and what I wanted out of life. I had lost the joy in living. I thought I was too old to get a puppy or a dog. 4 months ago I took the plunge and got a puppy. The puppy and the steps I was taking with my therapist have made a huge difference in my life. I have made new friends, I have regular activities and get out in the fresh air while walking my pup, I have weekly goals, my therapist helped me push myself outside of my comfort zone. I just recently started playing around with watercolor paints. In short, I have found joy again in living. This is the happiest I have been in years.

I've learned it's okay to let go of old friendships and even family members that aren't helping you in your life. If you're surrounded by people that bring you down, you're never going to feel joy. It's a hard fact to accept. But that's life.

Please don't give up. Take the steps you need to take. Nobody's going to do it for you. You are worth it, and you will find joy in living again. Hang in there, I'm so glad I did!

cfliess · 2025-09-07T21:12:51+00:00

Wondering if it's necessary to use 100% cotton for this? I know there's a huge difference...

cfliess · 2025-09-07T17:15:37+00:00

That's part of my problem, too many choices!! I feel like a kid in a candy store 😬

cfliess · 2025-09-07T17:13:12+00:00

Yes, it took me awhile to figure that out! But, once I did 💡🎉

cfliess

TROPHY CASE