Practice

January 4, 2015

Practice the parts that make up the whole.

The 30 day challenge coincides well with "Keys for Improvement" that I wrote about in my last blog.  So far I have kept up with the challenge, but admit to it being a pressure.  This time my theme is to practice something specific in each painting. 

On the last two paintings I concentrated on using the Anders Zorn palette of white, yellow ochre, cad red, black and cer. blue.   I was lucky enough to receive a book for Christmas with beautiful photos of his paintings along with the story of his life.  It is a gorgeous book.  (link to book)

(on an older blog I showed how to do the grids for Zorn colors).  If you do a search available in the right-hand column, you will find it.

The 30 Day Challenge with Leslie Saeta really reinforces the idea of daily painting and practice.  It's not too late to join in.  Here is the link to her blog:  lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/

Daily Paintworks Challenge and 30 Day Challenge

January 27, 2014

I haven't done that well with the 30 day challenge, more like the 10 day challenge, but this painting covers two challenges, both 30 and dpw and that must count for something. 

My own challenge is concentrating on abstract shapes and values.  The paintings I am happiest with always include that approach. 

Daily Paintworks Challenge

 

This is one that I painted awhile ago, but I have always liked it because of the abstract quality, editing out detail.   I'm gradually adding all my paintings to ETSY

30 Day Challenge

January 15, 2014

I've at least added paintings two days in a row on the 30 Day Challenge with Leslie Saeta.  More than that I've done another study of the flowers with the inspiration of Qiang Huang.  I admire his devotion to staying with a subject to learn everything about it. 

It is true that doing the same subject improves your understanding and skill of whatever you are painting.  I hope to master the lights and darks and the variety of edges. 

Qiang Huang has many paintings listed on Daily Paintworks and he has a blog.

Here is the second study of the same flowers.  (The photo of the still life is on yesterday's post)

  Painting is 4 x 5 inches

January 6, 2014

Thank you to my grandchildren  Maggie, Lillie and Cece for these creative gifts.  I'm using the book filled with ideas to paint and encouragement. They are awesome!  I'm blown away by their talent. 

Here is my painting from yesterday for the Leslie Saeta challenge and Daily Paintworks.  I'll put it on ETSY, too. 

"Lounging" would be a good title for this one.  Darwin likes to lounge on the couch.