My Second Sunset painting

[Travis]

Hey pat thank you  and I'm glad to see so many people liking my artwork it means a lot to me and it makes me want to do more great works of art. The type of brush I use is a brush that I've been looking for, for awhile now and last week I went to a different  store and there it was looking right at me and I was so happy and couldn't wait to try it. the reason I wanted it was because I was told it was great for making grass and it was also a great brush for creating the look of fur on pets and other animals. The name of the brush is 114 interlon Comb Fan. You can also use a fan brush but the comb fan brush as a lot  less hair and really soft and the hairs of the brush are spaced apart and don't go together like a fan brush does so it allows you to get breaks in your paint for making grass and fur and its allow you to get nice thin lines I'm sure there are many other things you can use this brush for. I've added a picture so you can see what the brush looks like.

have a great day

Travis.

[patindaytona]

That's cheating Travis!!!
When I went to Michael's a few times..I saw some specialty brushes and I bet they do have one of these too. Sounds like an excellant brush to use. I always had problems using a regular fan brush. It's not cracked up like it supposed to be. Their are some pretty odd looking brushes you can find.
A few thoughts while I'm here...when I started out (and still am), I was always so hell bent on making every painting so perfect. I couldn't accept less. I think I'm kind of (hopefully) departing from that kind of thinking. We all have egos. But a good artist really has to have ego and also be a person who finds contentment within the art he/she does. At this point, I will say that sure...none of us wants to do art that looks like a 1st grader did it. It doesn't take that long to do very nice artwork by following some basics. I'm happy with that juncture. You can paint so many different things by being content with that level. I think we all have a fear when we begin that we'll "never get there", but it doesn't take long and once you do I for one don't feel so much anxiety anymore about getting to such a "high" level.  Sorry Travis..didn't mean to take over your thread here...just trying to share thoughts and philisopical (i can't spell good) ideas on paintings.

[thegrindre]

Sweet brush, Travis. Imma gonna buy one but, mean time, I know a set of nail clippers will trim a few brush hair from an old one that doesn't work well anymore.

Pat, that's correct. I, too, am one of those picky people who has to learn to relax a little... 

[valweb]

  Well done....love your colours in this painting.   

[Travis]

Hey pat don't worry about sharing your thoughts wherever you need to and it is a really nice brush and yes there are some odd looking brushes out there to buy for sure,  and I also have the same problem and like you I'm hoping I can break myself some what from trying to always get that perfect painting that I just can't seem to get (in my mind anyways) and beat myself up over it after , but it's a learning process and nothing comes easy but on the other hand I love painting and it brings me peace and happiness when I paint and I'll never give up. 

Travis.

[patindaytona]

It's "should I or shouldn't I....add more. That's not an easy thing to learn.

[Travis]

thats a good way to say it pat should I or shouldn't I add more, and your right it's not a easy thing to learn how to stop adding more stuff in your paintings or over work a certain part and then lose all control of what your doing. I have often found myself in this place, where I just go over and over in one place or a certain thing in my painting, and sometimes end up walking away for awhile just to clear my head because I know if I keep going that I will lose focus of what I'm painting and I won't be happy with it.

Travis. 

[Val]

Wonderful piece of work Travis.  Not much I can add other than to say I like your two soaring birds. Well done.

[liz]

Such a peaceful scene-    You must have enjoyed working on your tree to see the exciting results!  I like that comb brush, too!

[Val]

How did that happen? I seem to have missed a whole section in this thread. That is a very neat looking brush, and going by your painting it does a marvellous job. I've never seen one like that before. Can't wait for hurricane season to end and we can get back to Martinique....and the art shop!! 

[Travis]

Hi Val,  I like said before it is a very nice brush and It does work really good for what I wanted it for and I'm sure if you had one or if anyone else had one they would love it and use it a lot not only for grass or fur, I'm sure you can use it for making any fine lines like ripples on water and even bark on a tree and I found the brush easy to work with.

have a great day

Travis.

[thegrindre]

Just got back from Micheal's and Hobby Lobby but they didn't have one except in a set of 5 for $12 so I bought a cheap $2 fan brush and got out the cuticle scissors and made one. Seems to work fairly well, too.
It'll be something I'll have to get used to, tho. I couldn't make grass like yours on the first few attempts... 

[Travis]

Oh i got a bit lucky then I found mine by itself in its own little piece of plastic, I paid $7 for it tho. but I'm really pleased with what I can do with it, and it took me a few tries to get use to it and making grass like I got it in my painting.  and I use to use a fan brush as will and it worked out good for me also.

Travis.

[thegrindre]

Ya know, on second thought, I just might go back and pick up that multi pack. It wouldn't hurt to have a number of sizes for making varied grass for varied distances or whatever.

Hmmmmmmm,

[Val]

Sounds like a bargain to me!
Thanks Travis, I am hoping to get back to trying more seascapes. Have been asked about doing a couple of yacht portraits. I need to really do some homework on how to paint water.....still haven't quite figured out how to do the waterdrop!