I found out about this network through @AWaichulis and thought I would check it out. I’ve read several of the topics so far and have been impressed with all of the valuable information.
I am primarily self-taught, but have also been mentored by master artists (Robert Bateman, Steve Mills). I have benefitted from being a member of the International Guild of Realism and noticed there were some fellow members on here (@dianedavichcraig). I occasionally will have a technical question for other realist artists, but am rarely in contact with other realist artists locally, so I thought this would be a good forum to ask some of my questions to those who have been painting much longer than me. While I have been deemed an Associate Living Master by the Art Renewal Center and am happy to offer information on my own technique and artistic practice, I always want to keep learning from other artists and taking in different perspectives.
To give you a brief background about my art, I create hyperrealistic narrative oil paintings on shaped baltic birch panels (www.joshtiessen.com/art). The main theme of my work is the interaction between the natural world and manmade structures, often giving rise to metaphors, which highlight truth, beauty and the longing for ultimate restoration in the world.
Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction and I look forward to interacting with all of you!
