draw but can't paint?

Question

Hi
I am a A2 sixth form student taking a level art (predicted an A grade) . Apparently my drawing skills are really strong (I hope I don't sound arrogant) but I know for a fact my painting skills are at a lower standard. This is particuarly evident when using acrylics. I just can't seem to acheieve the right tones and get the 'play of light' correct. I'm a little better with watercolours, but my drawing/ pen and ink skills are so much better according to everyone else. Its the same with clay- I'm awful at using it.
Do you find that as an artist, you can be brilliant with some mediums but worse with others?
Thanks

Answer 1

Absolutely yes. In my experience, I favor drawing over painting, too, although I am competent at painting with oils, my drawing skills are stronger than my painting ones. I never had a chance to go to art school, but I know that the purpose of your classes is to expose you to a variety of media. As long as you are doing your best, then do not worry about the uneven results. Part of your education is to learn about yourself and reveal your strengths. Another goal of the school is to give you a chance to meet other artists. Let this time be one of exploration and social activity. As much as possible, allow yourself to experiment and enjoy it. Do not agonize too much about your abilities and shortcomings. Many of the experiences you are having now, even the struggles, will contribute to your later work. All the best to you now and in the future!

Answer 2

I'm not saying to give up on painting, But just excel in the medium that you are best at

There are many artists that can't paint or painters who don't draw very well and never get the knack of charcoal drawings or pen and ink.One thing about acrylics is that it dries so fast and does not allow you to really play with the paints to achieve your goals. If it is not that important to you ,just stay with what you are good or best at.

If you feel the need to learn how to paint use oils they are much more forgiving when you make a mistake because they don't dry fast at all. just wipe off your mistake and start over.

Good luck to you .

Answer 3

I've definitely had this problem. Watercolor and I don't mix, and I'm several stages lower in my artistic skill when it's three-dimensional versus two-dimensional.

However, when I declared my second major as art in college and the only course available was painting, I was forced to take it despite the fact that I didn't want to take it--and I ended up loving it and being much better than I thought it would be. It's now one of (if not) my favorite medias.

It was oil paint, not acrylic or watercolor. I have found that acrylic is much harder to control than oil paint. I would suggest trying oil paint in combination with liquin and/or turpentine in order to thin out certain sections and let the white of the canvas show through (as white paint tends to dull the colors it mixes with). Liquin also helps it dry faster (as oil paint takes much longer to dry than acrylic) and move more smoothly across the canvas.

Answer 4

You have painting whipped if you can draw. There are lots of techniques you need to learn for painting. Far more than in drawing. I suggest you try painting in monotone. That way you take the color element out and would be closer to drawing. You drawing skills would come out and you would gain some experience with handling the paint and brush. I think with practice, learning the brush and medium and study of color you would do fine. Practice is the key.

I hear people say: "I can paint but I can't draw." I think it's the other way around. You can't paint if you can't draw.

Answer 5

When I was at college, I had the same problem, and my tutors were always urging me to use oils , acrylics and other ' alien' mediums, without success. I was convinced I was c*ap until a kindly, wise old tutor came and told me to stick to what I was comfortable with, which was watercolour . That's what I did, until I was so competent that I was able to actually sell my work to other people because - get this- they liked it and wanted to buy it !

Good luck in your future explorations

Answer 6

I think this applies to most artists, I was always better at drawing than painting but I found that using my strengths got me the higher grades rather than using paint and completely messing things up

Answer 7

Same problem, I can draw better than painting.

It happens to everyone, mostly because the paintbrush and paint are difficult to manipulate.

That's the reason why most artist have a huge canvas instead of a smaller one.

Answer 8

Only Leonardo was a master of all. ;^)

Since then there were but a few that were notably good in all aspects of art.

So most artists are only master of one art. And drawing is a whole different creature from painting.