I was looking through my brushes and realised that I only really use 3 brushes for my style of painting, as its very detailed. Usually a 3/0 brush, a 5/0 brush and a slight angled one.

So I gave myself a challenge, to use 5 different brushes for this painting. Since I had 12 brushes I’d never even used in my painting box I thought it was about time to change this.
I only bought them because they looked different and may come in handy one day, Well that was today.

What did I discover ? Well that I have some excellent brushes I should have been using all along. My new favourite brush is the long thin ones used for painting long grass.

As always, I first start with the undercoat, in this case it didn’t take very long, because the subjects were so tiny. I was only looking at painting two tones, mid range and shadows the lights were left white.

The grass undercoat and shadows were next, this I should have made much darker. It was hard to paint lighter grass on top of a very light background.

I started using my new brushes for the grass which were excellent apart from the white paint drying way to quick.

At this stage I was feeling a little bit frustrated and defeated, the grass was becoming too dark and muddy.

I started to work on the kangaroos when I got stuck on the 3rd one, as he wasn’t behaving properly.

I was just about to give up and put this to the side, thinking that it wouldn’t make the exhibition, when the doorbell chimed.

It was the kitchen installer, stopping for a chat as he drove past mums bed and breakfast.
Conversation started about my artwork and I decided to show him three of my works that hadn’t made it to the framers yet.
upon seeing the kangaroos, it reminded him of his property and said I must finish painting it.

So sometimes that’s all you need, a little confidence boost or a push in the right direction to keep you working.
It may seem that you’re failing but others can see the potential in the work that you have already completed so far.
Never give up…