A series of unfortunate events: Oil Painting

I realize it's been a ghastly amount of time since my last post involving any of my artistic endeavors, but there is a reason for that -- I haven't had any since now. Or rather then. It's been a week or two, and I am terribly behind.
 Anywho.... I finely got brave and took out my Grandmother's oil paints. She taught me up until I was about eleven or so, when her health began to fail her. I learned the fundamentals and probably much more, but I think I've forgotten most everything about oils. However, I set out boldly with a magazine page to create my first ever people person. Even when I was taking lessons all I ever did were flowers and bunnies and horses, never a people. But this particular people struck me as very pretty from her perfume advertisement in an ancient Victoria mag. So I decided to try it, but to practice first on watercolor paper instead of expensive canvass. And I'm glad I did. Here she is as a concept....

It all started well. Good base colors.... and the hair turned out much better than anticipated! I was believing I really had something going and was wishing I had started with canvass. A few days later however, after the first paint had dried, I attempted to add shading and depth. As you can see I utterly failed at blending the colors.

 How the heck do you blend with oils?? 

I've only just figured it out with watercolors{vaguely} and I tell you no similar method applies. After numerous experiments and messy mistakes {paper towels are my friend} and feeling discouraged and a little miffed at ruining such a promising practice piece, I hung up my smock {I just wanted to say that} and left for the more reasonable realms of watercolor, with better results....

This is Pete. I think you met? He crops up in just about every painting of mine. I did this for my Da's birthday card and was very pleased with it. The original design I drew back in 2008 but I liked it so much I did a copy and added color.

Watercolor and I have had in the past a love-hate relationship but we seem to have found some middle ground. I don't think I'll ever be able to paint wonderfully, but that's not going to keep me from making this little whimsical splotches.

I've been very inspired lately -- about everything. I would really like to sit down and do a good sketch, but TLOS is once again buzzing in my ear and I fear I must really get down to business in that department. You can see on my sidebar what I've done. Again. I despair at the moment of ever finishing. So I really must write! 
*sigh* I kind of feel like I'm on my own little island, though. Mum appreciates my stories and is always asking when she'll be able to read the next bit, but nobody else seems to care around here. Especially is it conflicts with me getting chores done. *sigh* Ah, well. Great masters aren't truly appreciated til after their dead, right? Haha :)

Til next time, then!

-Gwyn