I'm happy with my work, but always looking to learn more! Feedback is welcome

Followed some Bob Ross techniques for the mountains and water. Still working on my tree placement and reflections. Any tips welcome. Acrylics on 12x16 canvas.

Heavily inspired by The cute forest spirits from studio ghilbi

Trying to be geographically accurate as well. Any guesses which region this is?

I do not have any magic white/liquid white. I made some using some titanium white and linseed oil. I put WAY too much on the canvas and I couldn't get much paint to stick the way I wanted to. It just blurred together. I became, as Bob would say, a mud mixer.

Could I do a coat of just the oil and then wipe the excess off with paper towels or something like that? Maybe having it work as a "liquid clear" type of coat?

I've always loved art. I've been a big fan of Bob Ross since I was a kid. I watch him every day.

I have been intending on using his painting style for a few years. By "intending," I mean that I have been doing my research and purchasing products as I can afford them.

The first things I bought were some oil paints. That was back in January of last year (that's January of 2025, for posterity). I also bought some canvases, and a great set of brushes.

Money is really tight, so it wasn't until a few days ago that I was able to purchase my last-needed essentials. I'm feeling very encouraged because I was able to put the easel together. I'm not great with things like that, but it easily went together and I was able to figure a lot of it out without reading first. But I did read it to double check. 😄

I primed a few canvases Monday night. Now my last task is to find an episode to start with. I'd love suggestions! What are your favorite simple, fundamental episodes for a beginner?

Thanks for reading! I honestly feel like it's Christmas. This has been in the works for a long time!

I’ve been doing some pretty successful home portraits for the past couple weeks but my newest I tried to set in a bunch of trees and….i can’t paint trees. I’m worried I’ve ruined this and can’t finish and will need to start over. I’ve tried so many tree tutorials and one issue I keep having is people are mostly painting small gestural trees not these massive ones. I don’t know what to do!

Reviews/Comments

I know Bob mentions his double primed canvas. I was wondering if priming mine one more time before using them would be helpful? I haven't started painting with my oil paints yet. The last few supplies I need will be here in a few hours! I want to make sure I'm doing things as properly as possible.

As if art is proper! Haha

I love birch trees. Here’s my most recent painting. This painting and fine art prints of it are available at Mark Altrogge Studio on Etsy. Thanks for checking it out!