2nd time practicing, First time designs

So on my first practice I worked on lines, teardrops and swirls.. the basics.. that didnt seem to go so well. As my first time every using these types of paints and not really a painter at all (I just think Im crafty), I was having a hard time.. So here is my second try at practice and I figured I should just dive in and see what happens.. here is some of what I was able to do..

Well I thought I added pictures??? Dont see them?? Must have done it wrong?? I will try again later, I hear the baby waking up..

That tiger face was one of them... but dont know what happen to the rest of them??

the stripes on the arm were done after I painted the practice face and saw all of what I did wrong.. I still think its not bad for the second time with a paint brush, I am crafty darnit!! ;-)

Go easy on me please...

What do you mean? Go easy on you??!! I think your lines are perfect and your unicorn is totally cute!

awesome second practices!!

This is great 1st time work! If you only knew what we were doing 6 yrs ago....

I think they all look great, don't be so hard on yourself!!!

Wait until you are painting those designs on a squirmy kids with a scrunched up face, lol

awesome job and keep it up! Wait until a year down the road then look at these pictures again and see how far you have gone!

Looks great! If you're honestly looking for constructive critique, really work on getting the beginning and ends of your lines as thin as possible. You've got a handle (haha!) on brush control, it's just time to refine it. With dots, vary the sizes, it's more aesthetically pleasing and looks less intentional. Those small details really make designs pop!

Im still trying to figure out what brushes to use for what? I have some Mark Reid rounds and #4 is what I used most, but for lines it wasnt that easy to work with.. I have seen a script liner and I do not have one of those yet and they seem to make really nice lines and points.. I didnt know anything about brushes a month ago but Im learning.. I also liked the tiger stripes better on my arm using a round filbert #6 from loew cornell, then on the practice head I did again using the #4 round mark reid.. I have been using what was recommended (per tutorials) and I guess its different for every person..

@ thegildedcat - see your lines are crisp and clean - perfect.. what are you using in that picture??

And thank you all so very much for the kind words... Means alot, makes me feel like it is possible!!

I have a couple of Mark Reid brushes and I personally am not crazy about them. The #2 bristles is too long and harder to control, and my #4 I only use for black and I find it the hardest of my brushes to clean. They seem to fall apart quicker then my loew cornell. I just strated with the Loew Cornell and I am a lot happier with them.

I too got them because of some tutorials I watched, but doesnt mean it is the best for me.

I like to try out my brushes too before I buy them. So I now go to Michaels and AC Moore about once a week with my 40-50% coupon to get 1 brush a week! That way I save bucks and get to see the brush and feel it out before I buy it. I like a brush that is easy to bounce back and one that will keep its point for dots.... (dots and I dont get along well, so any help the brush can give me is awesome!)

Good luck with everything, and practice always makes us closer to perfect!

I lke the sanke and the unicorn looks grate too!!!, for the lines I like the ones in your arm is just about practice, just go to your local art supply store and look fro some brushes, cheek the material they are made of, you can find the best brush ever made in the world but if it doesn't work for you you wont use it for sure, I have diferent brands in brushes, you just have to fell comfortable with them, also there is a tutorial video at sillyfarm.com about animal lines and prints you can see is very helpfull. good job!!!!

Wow! Those are great!!!

You're on your way!

Your butterfly is outstanding!!!

Just don't paint the baby...LOL

yeah ok, what are you worried about?? Your line work is looking brilliant!! I'd never painted before either, so I know what you mean. It takes awhile to get used to using a brush. But, honestly, looks like you're already there.