Hello from North Wales

mikenwales

Hi, Just joined this forum so thought I would introduce myself. Retired now but spent most of my life as a Sign-writer. Gained a Foundation degree in art and design and working on a BA with honours in fine art. Going to open up a discussion soon on the topic of realism in paintings. Look forward to chatting with you all. Mike Davies

BOB73

Welcome aboard Mike, realism is what we're about. I'm looking forward to your contributions.

mikenwales

Thanks for the welcome. My work will (I hope) be realistic yet retain a painterly feel about them I wouldn't want my work to be mistaken for a photograph. I hope to do better than that. What do you think of the work of Edward Hopper. One of my favourite painters.

BOB73

Hopper has a lot of fans and emulators here but I'm not one of them. I like his Diner but most of it leaves me a little flat, lacking dimension. The compositions Hopper employs are sometimes very good though. I think most of us here are looking for the same things you are: Realism done in a painterly fashion. I wouldn't mind if my painting was mistaken for a photograph from a distance and then surprised viewers when they got up close and could see it for painted.

Boudicca

Hi @mikenwales, welcome 

dencal

mikenwales

Hello and Welcome to the Forum, a bunch of unreal realists.

Denis

PaulB

Welcome.

Rich_A

Welcome sir. I'm new too.

mikenwales

Thanks guys :-)

Richard_P

Welcome!

A career in sign writing should stand you in good stead for fine brush strokes in your paintings if needed

PaulB

Richard_P said:

Welcome!

A career in sign writing should stand you in good stead for fine brush strokes in your paintings if needed

No kidding, I want to see what @mikenwales can do with a rigger brush.

mikenwales

PaulB said:

Richard_P said:

Welcome!

A career in sign writing should stand you in good stead for fine brush strokes in your paintings if needed

No kidding, I want to see what @mikenwales can do with a rigger brush.

Good grief (an English saying)    I haven't painted a sign in over 20 years. When the industry became computerised I like many others purchased an Apple computer, plotter and went down the vinyl lettering road. A Pantograph for cutting perspex letters and also used to do screen printing mainly PVC stickers. Served my apprenticeship aged 14 in 1966 signwriting and screen printing Now retired and working towards a BA in fine art. Spent a shed load of dosh on one-shot enamel and a decent range of brushes, gold and silver leaf with my students grant to work with during my Foundation degree course so in that respect ive still kept my hand in.  I picked up my brushes about a month ago just to see if I still hadn't lost it and the lettering quality was just fine. A bit like riding a bike really once you've learned how you never forget.         

Richard_P

Feel free to post some examples of your recent lettering. I wish I could paint as well as I've seen sign painters do in videos

mikenwales

Will try and do a little video demo of your name over the weekend Lets say 1 in Roman lettering and 1 in a free-flowing script. 

Sharycat

Welcome @mikenwales I just looked up Edward Hopper and I like what I see. Realistic but you can see something of the artist in his painting. Looking forward to seeing your work.

tassieguy

Hi, @mikenwales. Welcome to the forum. 

Ezra

Hiya

mikenwales

Thanks for the welcome guys. Its more than welcome 

alsart

welcome