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    Beginner artist in Virginia, paint resources??

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    • Erin Hawkins
      Erin Hawkins last edited by

      Hi Morgan! I teach watercolor and gouache to beginner adults. I think gouache is easier than watercolor for a newbie, but you can learn either or both it if you're interested -- it's worth learning if you like the look of it and want to incorporate that look into your illustration. For watercolor, I really like Emma Lefebvre (@emjlefebvre) and Lacey Walker (@rebelunicorncrafts) both on YouTube and Instagram. I do not get any kickbacks for recommending them -- just sharing some resources that have worked for me any students. Some people here have recommended alcohol markers and I agree that markers are easier for getting started with color. I don't have Copic markers, I wish I did, they are an investment though. I have played around with Ohuhu markers and I think they are good for the price. I have also heard Blick Studio markers are a good for the price (more similar to Copics).

      J. Morgan Looney 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • Tash
        Tash @J. Morgan Looney last edited by Tash

        @J-Morgan-Looney I love your bug in a tin!

        I use ohuhu, brush and chisel tips. You can get pretty big sets for a really reasonable price. Copics are also a tried and trusted brand, but they are very pricy.

        J. Morgan Looney 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • willicreate
          willicreate last edited by

          @J-Morgan-Looney Amongst the entertainment illustration community, James Gurney (of Dinotopia fame) is the most popular watercolor tutorialist. Here's the link to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesGurney/videos

          J. Morgan Looney 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • J. Morgan Looney
            J. Morgan Looney @Tash last edited by

            @Tash thanks for the recommendations! And thanks, I had a dream that someone made me eat a tinned bug that was still alive, so naturally I had to draw it 🙂

            https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

            Tash 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • J. Morgan Looney
              J. Morgan Looney @willicreate last edited by

              @willicreate thank you! I just got one of his books from the library, but did not realize he is so active on YouTube.

              https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Tash
                Tash @J. Morgan Looney last edited by

                @J-Morgan-Looney hahaha unhinged! I love it!

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • J. Morgan Looney
                  J. Morgan Looney @Erin Hawkins last edited by

                  @Erin-Hawkins thanks Erin! I will check out those chanels.

                  https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Jeanne.M.Bowman
                    Jeanne.M.Bowman @J. Morgan Looney last edited by

                    @J-Morgan-Looney Hi! I am glad you are getting started with color! It is a ton of fun!
                    Here are my favorite books:
                    James Gurneys Color and Light
                    THE most useful book on color I have ever found is the Munsell Color Book especially if you can get the one with the paint swatches. It is spendy, but so helpful to try to match colors.
                    I'll try to think of more later- I have lots but I am in a bit of a rush. Hope that helps!

                    instagram.com/jeanneillustrates
                    jeannebowmanillustrates.com

                    J. Morgan Looney 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • J. Morgan Looney
                      J. Morgan Looney @Jeanne.M.Bowman last edited by

                      @Jeanne-M-Bowman I am reading James Gurney's Imaginative Realism book now and the color book is on my list. Thank you for the recommendations!

                      https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • Mimi Simon
                        Mimi Simon @J. Morgan Looney last edited by Mimi Simon

                        Hi Morgan. I'm not sure where your located exactly but if your near Staunton you should check out the Beverly Street studio school. They offer some beginning painting classes and one of the teachers is someone I went to school with who's a really great painter.
                        If you're interested you can check out their website here: https://www.bssschool.org/

                        http://mimisimon.com/
                        https://www.instagram.com/mimisimonart/
                        https://bsky.app/profile/mimisimon.bsky.social

                        J. Morgan Looney 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • H
                          H. Moon last edited by

                          Hi Morgan! I'm also new here, but I do know of a valuable resource for art materials (thats not amazon lol). There is a place called "Cheap Joe's Art Stuff", they are located in the US, and have a good website. They have everything art material related (just like BLICK) but much cheaper. They also have an insane return policy, you buy something from them, you have a whole year to return it!! Even paints that are half used. They are also on youtube for tips and trick on how to use the items they sell. Hope this helps!!

                          J. Morgan Looney 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • J. Morgan Looney
                            J. Morgan Looney @J. Morgan Looney last edited by

                            @J-Morgan-Looney @Tash @Erin-Hawkins I got some Ohuhu Markers and WOW these are so much fun. Thanks for the recommendation. This will make it much easier to learn color.PXL_20240301_130121406.jpg

                            https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

                            Erin Hawkins 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • J. Morgan Looney
                              J. Morgan Looney @Mimi Simon last edited by

                              @Mimi-Simon thanks Mimi! I have looked at their website before, but have not taken any classes yet. I am in Waynesboro. Shenandoah Valley Art Center is also ramping up their classes.

                              https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • J. Morgan Looney
                                J. Morgan Looney @H. Moon last edited by

                                @H-Moon that's great! I will absolutely check the site out. Thank you for the recommendation

                                https://www.instagram.com/looneysketches

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • Erin Hawkins
                                  Erin Hawkins @J. Morgan Looney last edited by

                                  @J-Morgan-Looney looks like you had fun with them 🙂 nice work!

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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