FIVE reasons my art went from bad to good...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- I have been a professional artist for a while now, but my art hasn't always been so pretty. There have been many learning lessons and growing moments in my artistic journey, and I want to share with you five major turning points. Five reasons my art went from bad to good...
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MUSIC: paid for and licenses acquired from Artlist.
00:00 - Brief history of me becoming an artist (something magical happened!)
00:30 - Me and John were just mid-west babies.
01:34 - My early watercolor wasn’t all that pretty (pics to prove)
02:51 - Early art career pics - the wedding industry grind…
03:38 - Let me give you FIVE growing moments, starting with…
05:13 - SECOND growing moment for becoming a better artist was…
07:04 - Shout out to my MOM! (You’re gonna want to see these pictures, lol)
07:35 - Mom’s mantra.
07:52 - My mantra.
08:18 - THIRD growth moment (or mindset) that helped me get better…
10:52 - Fourth growth moment REALLY took my art up a notch.
12:04 - Shots from Bearded Iris tutorial
14:06 - FIFTH practical growth moment that really elevated my art skills.
14:44 - An important lesson from my piano teacher…
17:58 - Now YOUR turn to share! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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Ms. Jenna, you and a number of other folks on TH-cam have taken a 68-year-old lady and turned her into a much livelier old lady who has a task she wants to 'master'. Given the time we have on this planet, I want to spend it with art, and lord willing, watercolors and y'all. Thank you. ☮
Love this! ❤️❤️❤️
You inspire me. Thank you!
That's awesome! Keep on going! You inspire me to keep going as well. I'm 34 and it's only been maybe a year since i started playing around with watercolors and i hope i can master it too!
This is the sweetest comment ever. Also adorable profile pic!
Sounds awesome 🤗🌹🌻🌺🌸🌿
45 years of practice and patience and always learning! Completely self-taught. Comparison is a dream killer.
Love that attitude, Elizabeth!
Wow.. yeahhh and I need another life to finish learning 😃
I doubt you're "completely self-taught". That implies you didn't watch any videos or read any books or listen to any advice or tips. Everyone learns from someone. Unless you actually sat there and learned by trial and error for 45 years.
The biggest growth came when I realized making mistakes wasn't a big deal. I was fortunate and gained art experience through college I was in an interior design program. First year had a teacher tell me I had to learn from a book because I couldn't be taught. The second year I had a teacher who purposely made mistakes in front of us. It was so freeing. When I had permission to make mistakes my art blossomed. One of my projects made it to the wall in the hall and I had the satisfaction that the teacher who thought I couldn't be taught saw my painting in the hall, leaned in to see who did it and jumped back several feet. Make as many mistakes as you can
Self-taught is not a badge of honor, it is an unfortunate circumstance. Go get educated about your craft.
Dumb as this sounds, the biggest jump for me was creating/finding lists of things to draw and paint. When developing a daily habit of practice, there will ALWAYS come that day where you think nobody wants to see that. You've already painted that. There's nothing interesting to paint or draw... If you skip once or twice, the habit is broken and it'll just as easily become three years as three days. Instead, pull out the list and paint the next thing on the list. Obviously, if you're inspired, paint your inspiration. But on the days that nothing seems interesting, just pull out the list. I keep it on my phone and whenever I see something interesting I'll take a picture or just make a quick note to add it to the list.
Great idea. Thanks for the spark!!
Love this recommendation
I just did that. I was in Mexico and took random pictures of things to inspire my work. Your idea of using them as an everyday inspiration is awesome! If you run into a crazy lady photographing a piece of trash at the curb, it may be me, lol
I am very VERY new to painting and I struggle with this everyday. You said pull out the list...are you referring to a specific list of just one that you created? I think it would be great idea for someone to put together a list of simple things for new artists/painters to try creating. I’m sure it’s out there already, but if not, it would be cool! Thank you for sharing...I was beginning to feel like maybe I wasn’t meant to be an artist, even if I am in my heart and soul. I always assumed that great artists ALWAYS know what to paint, and then they just do it lol.
I love this! Thank you so much 🙏🏻🦋
I am 47 now. I am not a born artist. It was a deliberate choice. It was mostly for self expression and self healing. I discovered watercolor 5 years ago. I plan to be a best selling artist by 60. Thanks for your tips!
💪
Rooting for you ❤️ all good vibes to you! You will achieve it!
Good for you! Good luck! :)
There is not such a thing! Be careful with setting up goals that are meaningless to your career or your personal growth. No artist is the best selling artist in any media and neither that means anything. Just compare your own progress with how you started not with sales or the success of others.
Do you have an Instagram account for your work? I'd love to subscribe and support!
My favorite part of the journey has been hearing artists like yourself say things like..."keep going, patience, practice, mistakes are teachable moments, fall in love with the process." I am retired and have fallen in love with watercolor painting...I'm determined to continue to "grow" even at my age! Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration! Heappy painting everyone! 🥰
One of my favorite growth moments was, six months ago. I was taking a Zoom watercolor class and the instructor told us that as she was developing her skills she would ask watercolorists what percentage of their paintings turned out good. Fairly consistently they said 3 out of every 10. The instructor said for her it was 3 out of 13 that turned out. It was so freeing to know that all artists have paintings that don’t work, it is part of the creative process. She also said you need those failures to try out new styles and techniques, they’re how you develop your own personal style.
I have seen van gough paintings that still had pencil marks, were recyucled into newer paintings and reworked and not all turned out. And he was pretty good...
With experience and successes your standards get higher ... so you’re favorite paintings from the early days may now look embarrassing. My tip is to remember, respect, and nurture the beginner that you must always be if you wish to keep growing. 3 in 10 or 3 in 13 “successful” paintings is much better than 10 in 10 - which would mean you’re stuck in the same old groove.
All my paintings look like Jenna's "before" paintings. I've been at it for two years but an now realizing I actually have to study technique and color theory and just bought better supplies!
Damn, I was glad to read this comment. It was like u wrote it especially for me. Thank u so much for sharing ur experiences 💖.
So appreciated.
@@lesliedivoll3447 Ooooh, so very well said 👏 & quite inspirational.
My biggest growth moment was just letting myself be creative with out forcing creativity. Any practice is practice
Yes! Love it!
I had high standards and couldn’t meet them and was so hard on myself until I started doing things with my non- preferred hand. I expected the work to be wobbly and imperfect and it helped me embrace the imperfect and find value in the process. I have made friends with the brush now and can see real progress from painting everyday for over a year. I am much better for it in my heart and mind. ❤️🌷☀️
I love your comment so much, as I am also an artist, but I don't want to be perfect and comparing myself to others...it's the value of expressing your true self that is the greatest reward...best wishes 💛
Yes I to realized my drawing was to controled. I found drawing on a bunpy bus ride helped. 😀
Good for your brain too 😊
Last week I did an entire painting with my left hand. I thought it would wake up my right brain...nope. It was better than I expected but the right brain didn't react! Lol...
No such thing as "bad art", friends. "Bad art" is a misunderstanding that has been passed from person to person. Art is a healthy expression of the human spirit.
Yep! This comment. 100%
🙌🏻❤️
RIP Bob Ross!!
Thank you, I was about to comment that!❤❤❤👏👏👏
Having a second set of eyes, a friend or fellow artist, to talk with you about your art constructively is hugely beneficial. We have tendencies to get stuck and seeing through someone else's eyes can really help get us over a hurdle and on to a higher level.
As an art teacher for over 25 years, I totally agree with Jenna’s advice and tips! Thank you Jenna for sharing your journey.
In a similar stroke of fate, I was given a crate full of art supplies that had been abandoned in a storage unit and your book was among them! I didn't even realize you were the author until you mentioned the book by name at the end! 😂
What really helped my practice and fun was cutting paper to smaller less intimidating size and like the other comments, a list of subjects to paint. I love pinterest for that.
I understand that you're just being the person you are, but I found myself gratefully stunned by your candor and humility, and the confident, sincere, enthusiastic, and generous place your experience(s) has led you to! All Blessings, Peace, and Light, to you and yours, in all you do! Be well always! Namaste!
🙏🔥🙏
As a creative person I'm a perfectionist but unfortunately not persistent enough to practice if I don't see immediate improvement. Last year we've been to Croatia and went into a small art gallery of a great artist whose works made me cry. Art never touched me so deeply before. I told her how much her art resonates with me and we connected right away. She inspired me so much that after the trip, I got out my watercolors and just painted for several days. The first picture I did turned out so good that I couldn't believe I'd done this. Some time later I switched to acrylics. What I realized was: 1. You get maybe one amazing painting out of every 10-15 paintings and the fear of starting a new one after you've done a fantastic piece can sometimes be scary, but you just have to start again quickly. 2. I need an intensive connection with either the thing/animal I paint or I need to love the person for whom I paint. If I paint with all my love, my paintings turn from nice to great. So if I'm not excited about a topic, I might do it for practice but don't expect it to become excellent.
One of the best bits of advice I've ever been given was from another TH-camr "Lindsey the frugal crafter" if you're painting and you think you've ruined it forever....keep painting! If it is already ruined you cannot make it worse so just keep painting and learning. Darned if she isn't right too! Same theory as bob ross, we don't make mistakes we make happy little accidents and out of those we make trees 😂. There is this thing I've seen time and time again, it took me a while to catch myself doing it too, I would be watching someone working on stuff and go "jeez that looks awful there is no way they're gonna save that piece!!" And then I kept watching and they would. I think what separates artistic ability levels is the ability to see beyond the chaos of the moment and relentlessly go after it. You just have to get out of your own criticism and ego and keep on going. It reminds me of the scene in creed where Rocky stands him in front of the mirror and tells him the hardest opponent he will ever have to face is standing right in front of him. He is so right! You have to get over your own negative mindset in order to really experience the freedom to create art you enjoy. Okay ranting over 😂😂🎉
When i got my Fine Arts degree in College, my draws were too stiff. I quit drawing for a summertime and a friend who is an illustrator gave me an advice: "distort". I was too concerned about proportion and perspective... I decided to draw just for fun and all the sudden everything I had learned got integrated and my stroke started to flow gracefully...
My biggest growth moment was when I learned to stop being afraid of painting shadows. For so long I wouldn’t paint them dark enough. Once I learned to overcome the fear, my flowers had so much more dimension.
Something that has really stuck with me was when I was trying to figure out how people come up with their own style and I believe it was on a Disney documentary where one of the artists said, "it's about picking what you can draw simply and what has to have detail." It really struck me between the eyes and ever since then, I've noticed how ALL artists (except hyper realistic perhaps) simplify things in their drawings. It was about how to simplify an animals look while still maintaining the image of said animal to be immediately recognizable to the audience. It's something I've since played with and has advanced my art in so many different directions.
I think who ever’s art supplies got mixed up and ended up with you would be proud that those supplies helped you to find your passion and create your business.
well ... unless the loser of the box was a struggling artist with little money who'd just lost their cherished and necessary supplies. We all do things that are less than sterling, especially in moments of vulnerability - we can and should have compassion for ourselves. And - this was less than sterling.
@@PL70015 I would have been so hurt and angry if that moving company lost my art supplies. It takes a moment to build an entire box of supplies that was carefully packed for a move. My heart hurts for the person who lost them but the universal blessing was were they landed.
Shouldn't she have tried to find the real owner? I've had moving companies lose things and it is very painful. Maybe the owners couldn't have been found but it is rather shocking that JR just decided to keep them instead of making an effort
For real, it was upgrading my supplies. I couldn’t believe the difference it made to get good paints, paper, and brushes.
Makes a huge difference, it really does!
Especially paper!
@autumnruns I agree!
Thank you for the encouragement. I was blown away by a neighbour who's an artist who fosters my interest in watercolours and invested in me with my first student grade palette and proper paper. As soon as I picked up the brush, I realized all the tentative forays with dollar store and garage sale supplies were in the past. she's loaned me books on colour theory and sent me links to tutorials on different techniques that are guiding my progress. Thank you for showing where time, patience and hard work end up.
I am an Art Therapist and when I started a creative practice based on my training that was totally separate from any attempts to create finished work that anyone else might see, it advanced my creativity exponentially. Often I scribble as a warmup. By creating with a focus on process over product, and getting comfortable with making tons of truly “ugly” but expressive art, after a few years of this, the quality of my work made a huge leap. Keeping a creative journal or sketchbook was part of my process too. I paint watercolor but I gravitated to mixed media/experimental water media based paintings. Another big advance was when I started working big and also when I began using high quality materials too. I decided my art was worthy of being taken seriously, and I went from scrawling images with glitter crayons on napkins to large scale paintings. Within a year of making that commitment and painting daily with the intention of sharing my artwork, I opened a studio/art gallery. I agree with all five points. If you’re passionate and love making art and make a lot of it, you will get better.
This is excellent, Angela! Thanks for sharing!
@@JennaRaineyChannel Thank you! It’s so impressive that you have created such an awesome online business from your art. That’s the next transition I hope to make.
@Angela thank you for your words.
My biggest growth moment was when I stopped thinking I was not a real artist because I was only reproducing things and thought I had no imagination. I was saying that to myself for more than 30 years. Once I quit those thoughts, everything changed :)
I have that mindset! I do paint a lot of my own stuff, but feel like I really borrow A LOT. Definitely don't feel like I have that unique style that makes an artist really amazing.
@@hnhouser what i did has been to investigate different styles and select the ones that I loved and the ones that I admired. I then focused on the ones that I admired. One thing I know now is that when you admire something it is because you have it inside. It can be for every aspect of your life ! and it works! I admired an artist, and I tried to understand why.. for me it was the colors and the absence of rules. And then I practiced a lot, and it all went together, it was magical! keep going, you will find what you are looking for :)
Omg, thank you so much! Your comment is an eye opener to me.
@@sonja_rademacher I am so glad my comment helped you !! I wish you to realize all your dreams :)
@@sonja_rademacher btw, this is what I am doing instagram.com/carolineangelard/ I would be happy to see your drawing/painting/art !
Someone left a film camera on my grandma’s driveway and when no one came to pick it up, she kept it. Eventually my dad got it and when he noticed my interest in it, he gave it to me. I’m now very into photography, digital design and traditional art. It’s just so weird how the camera and those art supplies fell into our laps!
It’s mean to be for you🙏so bless. Wish you all the best. 👍
Serendipity I think 🤔
was there a roll of film there? did you develop it? so curious what could have been there!
It's a gift from God
I am deeply appreciative of your relaxed teaching style and deep understanding of color. composure and style. I, at 72 years old, have decided to attempt watercolor painting. I have no art training...zero. I had no idea where to start. I came across your channel, watched your "Ten Trees" video and feel so relieved that I don't have to know how to draw before I can paint; I just have to understand shapes. I have subscribed to your channel and plan to begin my artistry soon. So, from an old guy without a clue, bless you for sharing your talent with me. I'm very excited to have you as my teacher!
Thank you Jenna. Every time I feel despondent, I watch this to remind myself that no-one is perfect!
My biggest growth moment came with good quality paper....its a game changer.
There are many talented artists on TH-cam, but you are also a very good teacher. Not everyone explains the techniques for watercolor as well as you do. So thank you for that. This video in particular is great because it's similar to my experience as a paralegal in my 30s. Good job, steady paycheck, but totally soul sucking. I started learning web design and development in my spare time and within a few years I quit that job and started working as a frontend developer. I wasn't even close to being an expert at it, but we all have to start somewhere. 8 years later I'm a senior developer still learning every day, and am doing what I feel like I was put on this earth to do. Painting is the perfect creative counter balance to my digital life. Cheers! xoxo
Some guy who lost a box of art supplies 10 years ago is watching this going "SON OF A B...".
I'm glad I'm, not the only one thinking that. It was exactly "SON of a B". I want him/her to step forward and claim some of her success stories. lolol
😂😂😂😂
Did she even think of contacting the moving company in case the real owner approached them
@@margaretbarclay-laughton2086 I can't help thinking the same thing ... I mean ... all respect to this artist, that's not cool.
hahahahahahaha foreal!
I am so thrilled to run across your channel on TH-cam and this video.I am a 79 yr old retired RN and have tried almost every craft. I've always been intimidated by watercolor painting. But not anymore. Thank you for opening my eyes to something new and exciting. I can't wait to get started but 1st I am going to watch all your tutorials and get your book. I have alot to learn and you're my new guru. Thank you so much for jump starting this old lady again. ❤🎉
I picked up the paint brush for the first time in 30 years this month. The joy of just seeing the end result and the lost hours in my bubble is hard to express. Thank you Jenna, for the reminder of practise practise practise and all the great tips. They are now in my creative toolbox.
Thank you so much for this. I started as an art student and ended up in corporate America because I needed a “real job”. I was good. But I wasn’t happy. Put me on a rock and let me draw and I would be so happy. I want to make up that lost time. It’s not too late. This encouraged me.
Dear Jenna, I know this is an old post, but I watched it anyway. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement for beginners. I have just started to paint watercolor, and I'm in my 60s, so I needed to hear this video because some days I want to give it up. Thanks again 😊
I really appreciate TH-cam recommending this video for me because, for over 24 years of my life, I was always scared to be wild and explore painting. I knew I loved it and it literally calmed my mind and soul, I'd doodle here and there, always had pens and sketchbooks but never actually thought I was good because I constantly saw other artists and creatives doing so much better than I have. My partner earlier this year said to me "Just paint this photo that you like and if you don't like it, who cares, paint over it and start something else". No one has ever said anything like this to me so I did my first ever portrait and now it's hanging in our living room. I've done over 15 since and I've just started taking commissions. So thank you for this video because 16 year old me would've loved to hear those words
That piano teacher sounds like the best! And explains your approach to art 🎹
The best teachers teach the why so you don’t have to memorize the how 😊
Totally agree with your 5 points. I’ve been watercolour painting on and off for almost 50 years (I’m 65 now) and it’s only now that I’m discovering what I can really produce as an amateur artist. I would love to have done this professionally when I was younger but unfortunately I never had sufficient financial security to enable me to give up my job and do art for a living. Instead I needed to help pay the bills. Now after many decades, I’m retired and have both the cash for good materials and the time to devote to it. So sad I had to wait so long ☹️
But you're only 65 and have the financial stability to really develop and hone your skills.
Enjoy that time not working, travel w your pencil and draw your experiences.
You have a whole life to take inspiration from, instead of looking back on what you missed embrace all the beauty you have in front of you.
It's few people who can quit their job and survive doing art, I'm most def one of them but instead of mourning that I enjoy and cherish the moments I have taking out my palet and my pencils.
Now, go on and just paint the most beautiful things you can imagine and just celebrate what you have.
Starting to meditate and spirituality has been huge for me because I’ll never listen to a negative voice. 💖🧘♀️🌸🦋✨🖌
Thank you for sharing your story. I turned 80 this year and I have always loved art in it's many forms. I am a photographer, turned professional maybe 15 years ago. I am also a color specialist and worked in a big box hardware store for three years, working in home décor and paint mixing. I was a member of Emerald City Artisans doing faux finishing, painting walls until I was probably going to seriously injure myself if I didn't stay off ladders and scaffoldings. Photography has been my biggest creative outlet, but watercolor painting has always intrigued me. I have done oils and acrylics before but watercolor is so unique. Now I am fascinated with learning how to create beautiful watercolor paintings. I started collecting higher quality brushes and paints 4-5 years ago and am so ready to immerse myself in learning watercolors. I have watched many TH-cam videos and your approach has started me on the path that is speaking to my heart. I have your "Everyday watercolor" book and am watching your videos every day. I just want to say a huge THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge and skill and your most beautiful journey. You a a kindred spirit and I love that you have gotten an early start. Paint on!!
I had no idea how therapeutic watercolor painting could be. Also, it has touched on a part of my soul and opened up something that I didn't even know existed! Pretty amazing to have an experience like this, but sad that I didn't realize it sooner in life. I was in my mid 60s when I picked up a brush for the first time. You are never too old!
That's lovely to read.
Watercolour was new to me when I was 60 as well. I managed to get accepted on a foundation art course at a college and had an amazing year learning how to free myself from tight, stressful painting. I’m now over 70 and enjoy painting as often as I can. I hope to retire one day and dedicate my remaining energy and using up some of my wonderful paints and papers that I have collected over the years! Like most people - I get lost in my painting and find it hard to stop. Always remember that if you enjoy painting then it must be good for your stress levels - regardless of your results.
@@lesleyobrien1492 Thank you for the lovely reply. What a wonderful experience you have had & what a good plan you have made for the future. I'm glad I am in great company. :-) I have been so encouraged by doctors, nurses, techs, my family and friends. The medical field really loves this as a form of stress management as do I! Lol Yes, I too am guilty for getting lost in painting for hours at a time. Its just so fun to immerse ones self into the beauty of watercolor and also see what one can create from each stroke of the brushes. May you be blessed in your journey.
I agree with you 100%!!!
I am not a born artist but I progressed pretty fast within my first year of painting. (had a lot of time in 2020 lol) I will have to disclose that I did draw cartoons when I young. I went to college for science. So I took the scientific approach to painting and it worked. I split the process into different parts.
1. Know what the tool and paint does so you won't be surprised when painting.
2. Paint what you see. Not what you think you see. If your eyes is off the object for more than 4 seconds your painting from memory....Look at something for a while then leave the object and try to draw it in another room. Then go back and see how it looks compared to your drawing. That drawing is what YOU THINK you saw. AND NOT WHAT YOU ARE SEEING! YOU NEED TO TURN THAT OFF!!
3. Break down the painting process. Large shapes and then the smaller ones. Choose only the details that matter!!!
Doing something that allows for mistakes or the grace of imperfection, is what got me creating again.
Paint can definitely be intimidating, especially when you've watched videos and tried to imitate (what would be considered a masterpiece) having no idea how many light-years ahead of you they were. Taking it easy and enjoying the process is beautiful. Getting better is a bonus. Thanks for the tips.
I left watercolor few months back....now mostly into oils and pastels...however today I opened my old watercolor stocks...painted... suddenly it came out well...then now I'm jumping again into this transparent world!.thanks for inspiration 👍
Love to hear you got back into it! 💕
I agree, no comparing, good quality supplies, training, and I would add, practice. I am amazed at how many of my students get discouraged when theirs doesn't turn out like mine.
Jenna, thank you for you, you are a gift to all of us. I’m 74 and never have been exposed to art, love it. Peace flows when I turn on piano music, pick up a brush, dip it in water, listening to Jenna, and practice. I so need it now, life is busy, wonderful family and life but in the middle of it all I’m thinking, I have to pick up a new brush at Michaels! Thank you and carry on.
First of all... THANK YOU for encouraging us to LEARN. Painting something daily is a big deal for me. I’m 62 and started watercolors 4.5 months ago. Somehow I sell everything I paint on IG and it still blows my mind, BUT, I have to do it daily! Color theory is a challenge for me. I know I need to study it. I’m just resisting like a mule tho. Again, thanks for this, Jenna!
I thank you for your comment. Somehow telling a person that you sell your projects after a few months feels better than hearing it will take years. I believe we should be creating daily and we will be learning and getting better. That doesn't mean your art isn't good. You may see the flaws in your work, yet someone else may see beauty and purchase it. I wish as professional artist we would stop telling budding artist that it will take them years. That's not always true.
I am 72 and just started watercolor about 2 years ago. Painting has kept me sane during this pandemic/shut down. UTube is amazing.
How do you sell on IG?
Hi that is great! I'm 62 too and am obsessed with watercolor and don't quite sell everything I paint (I started a couple of years ago) but have started to sell a few things and get a few commissions which is fine! I am so happy to be able to do this! I'd love to know your Instagram handle to follow you since we are the same age and loving watercolor. I'm @paintingtheskykingdom. And thank you @jenna rainey for this video!
@@waymakersfun-time3930 Believe me...I see flaws in my pieces 🤣 and lots of them. Somehow what I see as huge glaring MISTAKES, others do not see AT ALL, thank the stars! Keep painting and stay curious!
Oh my God! I have studied your book since I first began painting watercolor. It was literally the first book I bought to help me with my practice. And today, I just happened upon your channel, and realize that it's YOU! When you showed the cover of your book, it was like seeing an old friend! Now, I know your face and your channel, and can continue to be inspired by you. Thank you!
Yay! ❤️❤️
My growth moment was experimenting with brush to paper without drawing first. I do both now but was shocked how wonderful my painting turned out. It is one of my favorites.
Last year, I did this for Christmas; followed your advice and bought one tube of professional watercolour paint. It was SO beautiful to paint with and dramatically different from student grade, I bought 3 more tubes, so I had the primary colours... The next growth step, was, after watching @TheMindOfWatercolor, I finally bought myself 100% cotton quality watercolor paper... each of these steps open up a world of joy and increase my confidence 💛 Thank you for creating a beautiful place on TH-cam filled with encouragement and guidance ✨️
I've been watching you for a while. I'm so glad that you have succeeded in your venture. I'm now 67 and just learning how to paint. I love watercolor and take a class every year for the past 4 years. Unfortunately, I'm no better LOL. but love doing it. If anything I've always got nice reviews from family and even given gifts for Christmas. I love doing it and I guess that is all that matters.
Hey Nennine we must be kindred spirits! I feel like you, I just love doing it. You give me motivation to keep trying. 🙂 And I am grateful for Jenna and her kindness and generosity in teaching us the things she has learned. Things like this just make life better!
Greeting, being better doesn't always mean for the finest result of our hardwork.. there must be something improving from you, it could be the time you spent to finish the work getting more fixed, getting used of color sense/shading/highlighting, or you found your confidence of your style. Because you love doing it, you'll definitely grown with it. As long as you enjoy what'd you doing, it's good for you.
I've been painting for 20 years and learned all of the same lessons you did, pretty much in the same order (except I started with Winsor & Newton Artist paints/brushes, Arches paper). I think finding your voice is one of the most important lessons in art and life. You're the only one who can tell your story! You can learn technique and get ideas for subjects from other artists, but you need to find your own authentic voice instead of copying someone else's. That's easier said than done. For me, that voice includes subjects (Maine landscapes, flowers, birds), style (realism), mood (happy, relaxed), and purpose (to add sunshine and joy to people's lives). Knowing this has helped me stay out of the imposter syndrome/comparison trap.
Saw this in your email today. I had viewed this 2 years ago, and it is a pleasure to see it again. Fortune has shined on you girl!
Thank you for sharing your journey! It actually comforts me to know that you started at 23, not really knowing what to do and found comfort in painting. I am in the same season. I am also 23 yrs old now and I just discovered how therapeutic painting is. I am not born as an artist as well, no one in my family is creative, but your words comfort me, motivated me and assured me that I'll get better in time and constant practice. More power! ❤❤
HI Jenna!! I'm super late to YOUR game, so I hope that you will see this message.... Thank you SO much for this video! I'm you 10 years ago. Thank you for sharing your first watercolor pieces...doing this has literally given me hope and I am so grateful. I mean I was about to just give up, thinking I didn't have the God given talent needed to produce good art. I'm not trying to have an art business; I just want to have an outlet and to one day produce art for my home and maybe as gifts. I really needed your video, and again, I thank you for it!! Now I will go and watch ALL of your videos....
Hey Candice! I am so excited you came across this video. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Keep on painting, it’s such a wonderful outlet! With time and practice, you will make beautiful art for you home and for your loved ones. Just don’t forget to enjoy the process. Take care! ❤️❤️
Jenna , I just stumbled across this and you have given me so much hope. I love to do this and sometimes feel I’m jumping in over my head I’m creative and just do it for fun but I would love to learn more and be so much better than I am. People tell me I’m so good but I find myself comparing and not believing them. My own worst critic. Your words of inspiration and hope and hope to overcome are magic to my ears. Thank you for sharing your journey and caring enough to help teach us out here struggling. I hope to become better and find my own niche. I truly appreciate you sharing your tips and knowledge and actually talking about it not just painting.
Growth moment in watercolor: finding Jenna Rainey and her super generous TH-cam channel. She breaks down the flowers into certain shapes, show you how to hold the brush, do wet into wet, etc. it’s a process that works!
I started a small greeting card-type watercolor. I wanted to practice making leaves with my new squirell hair brushes. I couldn't make leaves. It just wasn't working. But I started a painting a wreath. Started with a circle (good), started painting leaves around the circle (very ugly). Painted berries (very ugly). 2nd layer on leaves & berries (ugly). I just stopped caring why my painting was so ugly. I just kept painting the ugly picture in defeat. By the time I was finished IT WAS GORGEOUS!!!!! (Never. Give. Up.) :D
This is super encouraging to me. I've been drawing and watercolor painting for the last 30+ years, but I still struggle with comparing where I am against others. It's really held me back. This video has really inspired me to keep at it and be the best me I can be. I'm going to start with regular practice every day. Thanks so much, Jenna. It actually feels like listening to a friend and not an instructor. Thank you for that.
Love this so much, Jenna! I've been practicing art since I was a kid, so I have a pretty confident hand. However, I always felt like an imposter because like you mentioned, none of my art teachers taught me the WHY. I was given art books to copy from and I became really good at that (no regrets, because it's the reason I'm super comfortable with drawing just about anything now). But, I didn't understand art at a deeper level so I felt incapable of producing anything that was original and my own. The last two years have really changed that. I've been studying colour theory and techniques and making so much art, and even though I'm yet to narrow down on what MY style is, I'm so proud of how far I've come. Plus two weeks ago I started a TH-cam channel to share everything I've learned so it's all very exciting. :)
Glad to hear of your journey and confidence! All the best with your channel and art adventures! ❤️❤️
Jenna My favorite growth moment is Finding You Today. I am just now beginning with absolutely no idea of what to do next. I have no artistic background and I am old 😂 I’m excited and feel like I will be terrible BUT I am going to try … just for fun . Thank you for your wonderful video Sending you what might be my best flower 🌷
I’m just starting the process of watercolor. I come from a family of artists so I’m very intimidated, but not discouraged. I have used acrylics for 25 years.
I love your five reasons that you got better because you can apply them to learning anything new. I’ve been a life coach for 25 years and those rules/reasons are suggestions I’ve used but for the mind. 😀 I’m glad I found your channel. ❤️ you are very talented.
Don’t compare your work to others. Absolutely great advice
Can’t do it, it’s a dangerous game comparing yourself to others...
I think the most important thing I've learned today here is that I need to have patience. The mind tends to give up too quickly. Your reminder not to do that completely changed my whole view, Jenna. Thanks. I also grew up with a mother who was an artist...full blown. I was raised around it. So I'm just now taking the time to paint. I never thought I would do this. Your book enlightened me to go for it. I'm not going to be find a business in this, but I do want to find success in each stroke. Once again you have guided me there.
One of my best growth moments is to occasionally just make some silly pointless art that has no intention of being good or bad, just basically doing it to put pen to paper or paint to canvas. Some of my favorite pieces have come from making “child-like” art that didn’t have the pressure. Like a cheesy homework sheet versus the end of the year final test, just removing all the pressure from it and allowing your mind to expand without shape.
quality supplies is KEY! I'm a fiber artist and a lot of people think they should start with cheap/inexpensive yarn while they're learning. However, its a very tactile and therapeutic craft and I say practice with the yarn that moves you. Nice thing about yarn is it can be rewound and reworked! I LOVE your channel and I'm beginning my watercolor journey obsessively watching your vids. lmao. THANK YOU
I am SO happy you're loving my channel! Thanks for watching! ❤️
“This is what we do to play” love that!
Your mom is amazing!! 🍃 🌹 🦋
And yes to “do not compare”
☺️ so necessary for our mental health, especially relevant for our whole life 🙏
Jenna, you’re the first artist I found on You Tube a few months into the shut-down! Your art just popped up, and I clicked on to watch the video. I was immediately fascinated, and went online to buy watercolor, paper and brushes. Didn’t think too much about what I was getting, at the time. My “classes” are watching you and a few others, that’s it. My work reduced during covid and found myself with free time. Then, I found art 🖼 and trying to re-imagine myself, from lawyer to emerging (pre) beginner artist 👩🎨. You should consider writing another book about the topic of this video, to include other beginners’ comments, successes and challenges. Thank you for getting me started!
Awww can totally relate to your story Yvonne, I think many of us are moving away from corporate and testing out our creative side 👩🏻🎨 best of luck!!
@@watercolourartincapetown2919 thank you so much and the best to you as well! ❤️
I avoid Instagram. I'm the tenderest of new shoots and discouraged really easily - so I just don't look at it - and focus on my own work. Maybe one day I'll feel "strong" enough to look at everyone else's work, but for now I know that it makes me discouraged.
So, I'm watching random watercolour videos and this one is in the queue. Loved hearing your journey and the reality of just how much practice and time art takes...then at the end I saw the one book I have been following is yours! Every day watercolour! I got frustrated tonight trying to paint leaves. Just need to put my expectations in check! I'm a full time photographer and am slowing down a bit after 31 years. I wanted a change to spark creativity so here I am! Thank you for sharing your journey and talents!
When you can't stop thinking about something, it's most definately the thing you need to do with your life. ✨Loved the video and see your process! 🧡
Very very true!
I have a very positive art teacher in a different art media and style who is very encouraging. She often says, "You're the artist; it's fine." In other words don't be so critical. I do think that practice, practice, practice as well as a solid grounding in the art form is critical for advancement. Thanks for that reminder. I always think the best quality supplies, even if you're a beginner, is the best to encourage the best results. I think it's wonderful that you are helping us think of our projects and encouraging us to just keep practicing. Thanks for sharing your experience! 💜🙏🏻
I’m 47 years old now...who really falls in love with watercolours. I’ve just learned it a couples months ago and I’m addicted to that😍😍
I practice almost every day... I love to paint flowers, plants, cupcakes, donuts. I’m now learning to paint foods and desserts. My aim is that I can run a business from watercolours paint in the future ! It’s could be a wonderful moment if I can sell my own paint on ETSY !😍😍
Thank you for sharing your motivation video!
The best part of this was learning that you're not a graduate of the Fine Arts. The way your art came about for you was truly fate - meant to be - and look at you now! I feel much more assured that I have a chance of reaching your level of talent if I dedicate myself. So pleased to have discovered your channel. Thanks for making this available.
1. Practise many hours daily and accept mastery takes time and practise.
2. Don't let self critique prevent you from practising. Enjoy making art despite the results.
3. Avoid social media and don't compare yourself with someone who has been at it for decades.
4. Buy high quality art supplies - it improves the outcome tremendously.
5. Learn the theory - about values, colour theory, line quality, anatomy, composition, foreshortening, perspective etc.
Wow they are good tips
Thank you.
Holy Heck!! I bought the Stonehenge paper to replace my Strathmore paper and it acted like all of the professional online watercolour tutors act. I had been so frustrated that my paint wouldn't behave like it did in all of the tutorials no matter what I did. Now it does. Thank you SOOOO much.
Yay! That’s awesome!
How ironic...I just bought my first good art products yesterday, at Hobby Lobby, after two years of painting with cheap supplies. I have hundreds of tubes of crap paint and pads and pads of bad paper. Had I bought good supplies to begin with I actually would have saved money! I finally realized I had to get serious with supplies and you confirmed it!! Thank you! ♥️
Thank you! I am having so much fun learning something new. You are a great teacher and to hear you say to stop comparing is wonderful. I drew a rose from my thoughts tonight. The way I want my art to look. Not like a photograph I liked the drawing for the first time. 72 is not too old!
You’re so welcome, Theresa! Happy painting! 💕
I've been painting with watercolors for about 5 years. My first attempts weren't good but I painted Christmas cards and sold them at our community bazaar. People bought them! I was blown away but it encouraged me to continue. 5 years later I'm called an artist, still to my disbelief. All of your recommendations have been part of my journey but without guidance I've had to discover these things by trial and error. Along the way I was told to use only cold press paper and Winsor Newton paints. Now I use Saunders Waterforrd hot press and rough paper only and Sennelier paints because I love the honey base. I generally use only 3 Escoda synthetic brushes. I do experiment with other paints, including metallics. Thank you for your insights and advice. Wish I'd discover you sooner.
thank you!, I actually want to cry 🥲, I began with watercolor on sept 2020 , I have been practicing everyday, I feel that I have improved since then , but, lately, I’ve been feeling stuck and blocked, and I was feeling so sad, because it’s been my therapy on these difficult times, I was actually thinking about leave it for good.... watching your video and hearing about your journey gave me hope, and remember about just having fun and paint for the fun of it...to just let go, and play....I really needed it!,, thank you!,,, 🥰
Greetings from Mexico!
Aw Claus! I am SO happy I saw your comment and that I have this video to encourage you to keep going!! You can do it! We all feel stuck from time to time, but you can keep going!
I felt the same way. I just learned how to paint while in quarantine. I didn't know I could do it. I didn't know I'd enjoy it. It helped me a lot during the tough times. But about 5 months ago I just stopped. Lost interest. I think I stopped because I couldn't perfect this one painting so I gave up. Just a couple of days ago, I just started painting again and it was so much fun. Lesson learned: I am my worst critic. I need to let go and just keep going. I hope to be able to paint more. Thank you for this encouraging video!
@@JennaRaineyChannel thank you Jenna! Thanks for sharing your talent, experiences and light with the world. 🥰
I recognize your Art. It is so wonderful to see your face with your talent. Thank you for sharing your story, it was magical. Bravo.
In art school my teachers always encouraged us to look at other artists especially working studio artist who were working with the same medium as us. But I found that this was actually holding me back creatively. I was looking for inspiration but the result was that I felt my art should look more like the art the people I admired. By the end of my 3rd year of school I completely stopped looking at other artists, I got rid of my "mood boards" in my studio, and just focused on my own art and that when I felt like I really found what kind of art I wanted to make and what was important to me. Now I mostly look at artist that work a lot differently than I do. It keeps me inspired but I don't compare my art practice to theirs.
Well literally crying as I'm typing this , when you talk about not being economically stable, besides a good friend of ours just asked me who is going to buy an art work during pandemic?
Well I don't know, but seeing this video is a miracle that TH-cam sent my way at this moment, I am so done with thinking that no one will buy my arts because of how the economy is at the moment.
My job just finished last month, and as am thinking of the way forward to earn salary again and looking forward this video came . Thank you Jenna Thank you So much . God bless you Sis. Wishing success to everyone that can see this comment 😘
Definitely don't give up! And your friend is wrong...lots of people are buying art in this pandemic. Take some steps each day, if even small, to move towards your dreams in art and in selling art.
Because of the pandemic, people want to have art on their homes... The love, inspiration and the God-given talent the artist puts into the art is exactly what people hunger for right now! It's really is a blessing in these times! Follow your heart!
@@jennyfloravita Good Day Jenny you don't know how much your Reply meant to me. Wow thank you for your lovely advice. Thank you for reading my comment. I'm so hopeful after reading your Reply
I will keep it in mind, as a motivational strength to help me to continue moving forward in this unprecedented trying time . God Bless you So much Sis.Sending you Love from Spain 😘
@@sonjasmit2944 Wow Sonja .Thank you So much for the awesome support, you are so kind dear.
I really ,truely appreciate your kind words . I 'm now in a good place after reading these encouraging Words from you and Jenny .😗Lots of Love | Qui
I can totally relate to the soul-sucking part of an office job, I started drawing when I was a little girl, always dabbled, nothing too serious, I stopped drawing all together when I started studying architecture, last year when the pandemic started, I decided to draw again and learn to paint with watercolors. I went to my local art stores and bought cheap supplies, needless to say it didn't work well, so I ordered quality stuff from Amazon and saw a significant improvement, then with some tutorials there have been significant improvements. There are a lot of people that say that when you're starting out you shouldn't get the real expensive stuff, but honestly, had I stuck to the cheap stuff, then I would've given up a long time ago
I agree. Cheap paints, paper, & brushes are not going to produce good results and you assume that it’s “you”, that you’re not good at this. Invest in better quality and you get a much better idea of how watercolor painting could be right up your alley! If you were interested in cooking, you wouldn’t go buy poor ingredients and shabby equipment and expect a fabulous dish at the end.
Thank you so much - your info is the first that addressed my 'issues' - self-doubt, comparing, and being afraid to 'waste' supplies - I had an art class in 5/6th grade and almost won a contest - I was in heaven! then (long story) I ended up in Catholic school and they frowned on art and so did my parents. I didn't paint/draw 'till I was married and my inlaws were very supportive - bought me one of those wood fancy cases filled with oils and a large easel ! Well, started again with classes - a couple college classes - but life, babies, job, gave me little time - I started again in my 50's (then illness struck) so, here I am in my 70's and was thinking it's too late. NOT! So your classes and your pep talks help SO much - so, know that you helped at least ONE person - in case you have doubts!
U don’t know me but...this is my story too ! Exactly like my own experience Exactly! How strange
Practicing everyday now for twenty days straight has helped me with the way I hold my brush, familiarity with my paints and so much more. I have no intention of stopping, painting everyday is a gift to my future self.
Ohhh goodness, the “you should be further along now that you’ve been at it for years” is my greatest mental block!!! So many life road blocks causing one step forward, two steps back. Thank you for sharing!!! Super helpful and encouraging. Many blessings to you and yours! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💞
So glad this was helpful and encouraging, Tina! Thanks for sharing. Take care! ❤️
My biggest moment this yr was . Your hand has memory . So when I can’t get the shape I take my hand trace over and over above the picture I’m drawing and then go to my paper and I’m always amazed that my hand holds the shape .
Yes! Teaching your self to see what is there not what your brain thinks is there. Good tip is to turn it upside down so your brain can’t take over.
Not momentous, but a tiny change. When I'm done with one project, I set out the supplies for the next one the night before. Makes it much easier to get started and less likely to procrastinate.
My biggest growth moments are 1) finding my medium: I started in paint and ceramics, ended up in fabric, resin, and photography. 2) finding my style: when I saw people like Sandra Boynton and Laurel Burch, I knew I hadn’t found my own style. There is a kind of density to their recognizability, if you see a half-inch of their work, you know who it is. When I found my style, I knew it because every person who liked my work said the same thing: they talked about the spiritual effects they feel from it. So my style wasn’t so much a look as a feeling. Thank you for your generosity, your story and your firmness to your path, and for inviting us to share here, too. Plus, I say that art is too important to be left to specialists: we all need it, and we can all do it, even if it starts with how it makes you feel, long before it becomes something special to look at.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you. I've been feeling discouraged with my art lately. It's good to know other people have been through the same and persevered.
❤️❤️❤️
My biggest growth moment was with graphic design . I've always wanted to paint but was told that you can't really support yourself doing that so I tried going to school for graphic design instead but the urge to paint just got stronger and that was when I realized that painting was what I wanted to do .
Study with a good teacher whose style resonates with you. I’m glad I found one teacher I really like and I’m inspired to practice so I can create the artwork that inspires me.
My biggest growth moment was learning not to look at a painting and write it off as crap and give up. Now I look at in the 'ugly stage' and just tell myself it's not finished yet!
This made a huge difference and helped me shift from thinking I couldn't paint for toffee to creating work I am really proud of ❤
May I kindly say, your art was not bad, you just evolved as an artist...we should be kind to ourselves and be grateful for whatever we are creating...it's our unique way of expression and that itself should be valued...because we are comparing our work to others, we think our work is bad...anyway, wishing you all the best and I am so happy for you, you are a lovely person 💖 💛☄
Thank you Jenna. I really appreciated how you showed us your development. So inspiring for all of us, regardless of where we are on our art journey. I think my biggest learning moment was choosing fun over fear. Choosing to explore the "I wonder" vs the "I don't know if I can". Choosing to be an explorer has brought so much enjoyment to my studio time.
You're so authentic and not arrogant and that shows through your video. Competitiveness and comparisons are an enemy of all artists today. Thanks for bringing that up. Stick to being you with your creativity and things will flow in the right direction. Thanks.
I watch these videos 2 or 3 times, it seems. Some, even more. There are always new things to hear that I didn't notice before and there are always things to be reminded of. Thank you.
years and years of practice is definitely so important. There is no shortcut for talent and skill - other than taking classes, which provide you with the tools, but at the end of the day, it comes down to us putting in the hours and taking time to hone a skill.
My big growth moment was realizing that I didn’t HAVE to draw how my family thought i should. I could develop my style slowly on my own, could have my own style, and goshdarnit i can draw and paint cute mushrooms if i want to.
My mushfriend paintings have come a long way since i started them, and so have my other artworks.