Thread: Looking for language exchange

Originally Posted by kgcole

Do you like art, Lena? I used to draw, but not now. I still enjoy looking at and talking about art, though. I like oil painting best. One of my favorite artists is Rembrandt. He had great depth and shadow in his work. Another artist I thought was unique was Carravagio. He was a bit of a rebel for his time…lol. Maybe that’s why I like his work.

Of course I like art. That doesn’t prevent me from being complete ignoramus in it, though. I was trying to think of any of Rembrandt’s pictures but I could only remember the one with Saskia on his lap, lol. Caravaggio definitely rings a bell to me yet I could remember none. You understand that I could have looked up before answering your question to impress you more. But I’ve chosen to be honest. Nevertheless I do like art musems. There are some in Kiev. I especially like those in old buildings downtown. I enjoy lurking about them, watching that beauty, listening to excursions, smelling that special odour and listening to the old parkuet squeaking under your feet. Special love, huh? Perhaps you should have a look at one of them to understand what I’m talking about.
Музей мистецтв імені Богдана та Варвари Ханенків в Києві::Экспозиция
Lol, I can see two pieces of Rembrandt’s graphic here.

"But I’ve chosen to be honest." I seem to have chosen incorect tense here, right? Should it have been Past Simple?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Of course I like art...
Lol, I can see two pieces of Rembrandt’s graphic here.

Of course I like art. That doesn’t prevent me from being complete ignoramus in it, though. I was trying to think of any of Rembrandt’s pictures but I could only remember the one with Saskia on his lap, lol. Caravaggio definitely rings a bell to me yet I could remember none. You understand that I could have (looked up; researched) before answering your question to impress you more. But I’ve chosen to be honest. Nevertheless I do like art (musems; museums). There are some in Kiev. I especially like those in old buildings downtown. I enjoy lurking about them, watching that beauty, listening to excursions, smelling that special (odour; this is the British spelling, use “odor”) and listening to the old (parkuet; parquet)squeaking under (your; my) feet. Special love, huh? Perhaps you should have a look at one of them to understand what I’m talking about.
Музей мистецтв імені Богдана та Варвари Ханенків в Києві::Экспозиция (Музей мистецтв імені Богдана та Варвари Ханенків в Києві::Экспозиция)
Lol, I can see two pieces of Rembrandt’s (graphic; art) here.

Originally Posted by kgcole

Of course I like art. That doesn’t prevent me from being complete ignoramus in it, though. I was trying to think of any of Rembrandt’s pictures but I could only remember the one with Saskia on his lap, lol. Caravaggio definitely rings a bell to me yet I could remember none. You understand that I could have (looked up; researched) before answering your question to impress you more. But I’ve chosen to be honest. Nevertheless I do like art (musems; museums). There are some in Kiev. I especially like those in old buildings downtown. I enjoy lurking about them, watching that beauty, listening to excursions, smelling that special (odour; this is the British spelling, use “odor”) and listening to the old (parkuet; parquet)squeaking under (your; my) feet. Special love, huh? Perhaps you should have a look at one of them to understand what I’m talking about.
Музей мистецтв імені Богдана та Варвари Ханенків в Києві::Экспозиция (Музей мистецтв імені Богдана та Варвари Ханенків в Києві::Экспозиция)
Lol, I can see two pieces of Rembrandt’s (graphic; art) here.

“Musem” was a typo, thank God. I understand the rest of your corrections except of this one. Why couldn’t I say “looked up” instead of ”researched”? I meant clicking Rembrandt’s name only in the web and going through his works briefly.

And I think that “Perhaps you might like to have a look at one of them to understand what I’m talking about” would be much better.

When did you use to draw? I guess drawing is not the same as painting. Do you really mean drawing? Were you doing well in that? Why did you quit it? I suppose your present occupation as an embroider has something in common with your love for drawing, right?

Originally Posted by Helenej

“Musem” was a typo, thank God. I understand the rest of your corrections except of this one. Why couldn’t I say “looked up” instead of ”researched”? I meant clicking Rembrandt’s name only in the web and going through his works briefly.

And I think that “Perhaps you might like to have a look at one of them to understand what I’m talking about” would be much better.

When did you use to draw? I guess drawing is not the same as painting. Do you really mean drawing? Were you doing well in that? Why did you quit it? I suppose your present occupation as an embroider has something in common with your love for drawing, right?

If you used "looked up", you would have had to say what you looked up, such as "I could have looked up some art before answering...". Saying "researched" didn't require more information, though I would say that I think the best solution to that sentence would have been, "I could have looked up some art...". It's more familiar for our level of conversation, and friendly, I think. Sort of a matter of tone.

I'll tell you more about my own experience with art in another letter....

Originally Posted by kgcole

If you used "looked up", you would have had to say what you looked up, such as "I could have looked up some art before answering...". Saying "researched" didn't require more information, though I would say that I think the best solution to that sentence would have been, "I could have looked up some art...". It's more familiar for our level of conversation, and friendly, I think. Sort of a matter of tone.

You mean using "look up" without the direct object is incorrect? I'm always supposed to mention what I want to look for?

Originally Posted by Helenej

You mean using "look up" without the direct object is incorrect? I'm always supposed to mention what I want to look for?

That's correct. But remember, it's in the past tense, so you'd say "...looked up some art.." in that case, not "...I could have look up some art...".

Originally Posted by Helenej

When did you use to draw? I guess drawing is not the same as painting. Do you really mean drawing? Were you doing well in that? Why did you quit it? I suppose your present occupation as an embroider has something in common with your love for drawing, right?

I forgot you had asked me these questions, Lena. Well, I did most of my art when I was younger in my twenties. I made drawings, as well as paintings. Most of them I destroyed, though. I wanted less of that as I grew older. I felt like I was dreaming too much, and not tending to the business of living. As I grew older, I found I had less to say, and therefore, less to draw. It’s been so long since I’ve done that, that it’s almost foreign to me now…lol. As far as my skill, I was average, I think. I had hoped to be better one day, but I got involved in business and left it behind. I thought perhaps one day I would do it again, but that day hasn’t come yet. You’re right that my skill helps me be a better embroider. The skill does have its advantages at times…