Day 25 - Eventide

 Today's painting is one I did with the watercolor class I am taking with Mick McAndrews.  I've known that watercolor is one of the more difficult mediums to paint with, and am seeing first hand how challenging it can be.  Some of the more challenging aspects I have found involve letting go..  

Letting go...

...of what I know about painting with oils - because watercolors physically and chemically work different..

...of having control.. because watercolor often does what it wants to, and can have unexpected results

...of what I know about substrates (what you paint on) because paper is COMPLETELY different than board or canvas and the outcome truly depends on the quality of the paper

...and of how pigments work.. because depending on the pigment, it may do things that it never will do as an oil paint..

So, it is a fascinating challenge, learning this medium, and is appealing to the nerdy, scientific side of me.

Titled "Eventide", this image was an exercise about painting boats (more rigging!), creating emphasis and a focal point, how to create that diffused, melty look the setting sun sometimes has, reflections, color mixing, and more that I am not remembering right now.. Lots of fun!

"Eventide", watercolor on Arches rough 140 lb paper, 16"x12", NFS

Day 1 of September 30 in 30

Long time no post.... Geeze.. this summer was a busy, busy summer and I just kind of slacked off with my posting during July and especially August!  I am so sorry to those of you who loyally follow me through all of my paintings and challenges I take part in .  But good news!  I am doing Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!  I have considered what I could do for a theme... but haven't really come up with anything.  I enjoy figurative work, and perhaps will focus on this...

Today's painting is of my daughter, a favorite subject of mine. The reference shot was taken the last time we went to the shore, at sunset.  She had just gotten a new hair pin and was putting her long tresses up in a bun, holding the pin in her mouth... The way the sun glinted off her hair and made her skin glow was captivating to me... but challenging to paint!  I also opted to paint on a RED ground just for something different.  I was thinking it would help impart an inner glow to the whole scene.  Red is such a strong color, I am not sure if it overwhelms the whole thing or not.  Something else to explore. So, thanks for coming here to read more about my paintings.  Come back tomorrow, as there WILL be a new painting to see!  If you are interested in purchasing this painting, I have it up for auction at my Dailypaintworks site.  Click here to go to my DPW site.

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Day 10 - A Spectacular End to the Day

Good evening... Can't believe I am a third of the way there in completing this 30 in 30.  I have to say, this challenge is a bit more challenging than the first one I took part in for a variety of reasons, one of them being the extreme cold.  My studio probably doesn't get above 55 degrees, and I am learning that oil paint does not care for cold, dry air... at all.  I have been learning and adjusting to this atmosphere and it definitely has been a process.  Anyway, there is always something new to learn as an artist... always.  And that is why I continue to chip away at being one!
Today's painting came from a photo I found on the Morguefiles but I have definitely seen skies just as amazing in my life!  The sky provides endless ideas and material for paintings and I could probably paint a sky a day and not get bored... (hey.... that's not a bad idea!)

A Spectacular End to the Day, oil on panel, 6"x6",
to purchase, please click here