I took a watercolor portrait class with her and challenged myself to use hot pressed paper. I usually use cold pressed paper for my portraits. I have used hot pressed paper for other paintings before and it is different as well as more difficult for me. But with many of my portraits on cold pressed paper the skin is just not smooth enough. Amy Snowden uses hot pressed paper also and has wonderful results. I think that I can get used to it with a little bit of practice. After all I use rough paper for some of my paintings other than portraits.
I was only planning on taking the watercolor portrait class but at the last minute decided to take the oil portrait class and I am so glad that I did. I've had a recent unrest with where I'm going and have had the urge to try something in oils. (As well as other media.) But I kept telling myself that I need to keep working on my watercolors if I am ever going to get anywhere with them. Then I went into a magic place with the oils and have had so much fun working on the portrait ever since the workshop. So I guess I made a good decision. I'm not saying that I'm going to give up watercolors and start painting in oils again. But I think that trying new and different things is a way to unleash my creative spirit.
This all goes back to how we cannot limit our growth by listening to that little voice inside our heads that says be careful don't go too far from your place of familiarity. We need to sometimes listen to that loud voice that screams get out of your box and explore something new. It's the only way we will continue to grow.
