It’s always a good day in the studio!
The Strada Easel challenge has come to a close. Now the challenge is to keep going so I added color to the original oil sketch and post it as a followup. It isn't finished nor for sale, but I will be starting new images on materials that are better suited to be for sale.
Thanks again for following along.
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| Porcelain Tea Strainer Color Study - NFS 5.25 x 6.5 oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 31 #stradaeasel
This is the final day of the Strada Easel Challenge and I'm feeling both relieved (because I succeeded painting each day) as well as sad that it's over (because it helped keep me engaged with my painting).
Now the real challenge begins to keep it going. I'm getting my 'see legs' again and it is wonderful.
I plan to follow up with this little sketch and add color.
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| Porcelain Tea Strainer Sketch 5.25 x 6.5 oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 30 #stradaeasel
Wanted to try this tea pot in color, so I went for it. The design on the teapot is pretty detailed and the painting shows only the impression when my eyes area blurred. I will do this several more times to see how I might improve on the detail without going crazy or overworking it. All in all, I'm happy I tried and have no problem with the result at this stage.
I see where to improve on it, and that's what counts when doing studies.
It may seem odd that I have posted everyday this month and none have been for sale. The whole exercise it to help myself establish good habits as I work on my skills and prepare to do completed paintings that will be for sale soon.
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| Tetsukyusu Tea Pot Color Study 5.25 x 7.5 Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 29 #stradaeasel
Decided to revisit the Tetsukyusu Tea Pot. It's so beautiful in person that I'm determined to figure out the best way to paint it and do it justice. Starting with a drawing and an oil value sketch is always my way of exploring and getting familiar with a subject that seems difficult to translate into paint. I also like studying the values.
Note to self: I must start earlier in the day to begin working on a painting.
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| Tetsukyusu - Oil Sketch 5.25 x 7.5 Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 28 #stradaeasel
Another flower grouping. I'm feeling less stressed about the results in my studies. There's definitely more work that could be done to call it finished, but the freshness is appealing. It may not show in the photo, but I'm getting better at seeing the values (I think).
I must also learn how to photograph paintings to reduce the glare. I like texture, but the little flecks are distracting to the actual brushwork.
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| Clay Pot with Dark Pink Daisies - Study 9 x 8 oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 27 #stradaeasel
Not feeling well today with headache and several problems to solve outside of painting today. I did manage to get something out, but I think it was more ambitious than it should have been under the circumstances. I had trouble harmonizing the colors I wanted to use, but I carried on so I could meet the challenge requirements. Only four days are left until the challenge is complete.
Something else I've been experimenting with is how I start a painting. It could be a charcoal sketch, it could be an oil sketch, or I might tone the entire canvas and wipe out areas or maybe I start with a spot of color and move over the canvas with other spots of color that are easy to recognize - this last one doesn't work well for me because I cannot judge the value, color, or temperature next to the value, color, or temperature of the next brush mark.
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| Tall Brass and Blossoms Unfinished 6 x 9 Oil on oil primed linen sheet ©2023 |
Day 26 #stradaeasel
Well I went for color today and almost scrapped the entire thing. Still might so I can do a better job. I've learned something new each day of the challenge and plan to select at least 6-8 of the paintings and start fresh when I don't have to have something posted everyday. Anyway this is the countdown week!
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| Teacup Color Study - NFS Oil on canvas sheet. ©2023 |
Day 25 #stradaeasel
Tool a break from full color today after working a long day, and decided to work on just values. Glad I did because it is easier to see drawing flaws. This could have been further simplified, but I really do enjoy the zen feeling I get when working with brush and oils.
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| Oil Sketch of Teacup 5 x 5 Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 24 #stradaeasel
Another study with a metal container. I got further than I thought I would - The hydrangeas are dried and really old, but haven't been ready to toss them just yet. I'm still enjoying the strada easel challenge and so glad I joined.
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| Hydrangeas and Copper Study - $NFS Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 23 #stradaeasel
Well I moved on to something different, and it was a good day mostly. This is done with both brush and palette knife. The values could use more work, but the shapes in this are easy to do with the palette knife.
I started out thinking the bras would be the subject, but got curious about some artificial poppies I've had for awhile and they pretty much asked to stay. Anyway, glad I did this one and still experimenting with tools. I think this is a great way to learn painting. Having the information is one thing; making it work is the bigger challenge.
One other thing - today I found myself begin to get tired while work on this and felt like I was going to loose the freshness if I didn't stop immediately. For some reason, this is the first time I was aware of that.
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| Brass and Poppies Quick Study - NFS 5 x 8 Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 22 #stradaeasel
Yes, another apple, but decided to experiment with a palette knife. It isn't easy IMO if you still want to get any rounded edges. Nevertheless, it was a break in the routine and fun to try so I wasn't annoyed when I failed to get the perfect edge. I confess, I did use a small brush for smaller shapes in the blossom.
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| Apple with Blossom Palette Knife study - NFS Oil on 5 x 5 Canvas sheet |
Day 21 #stradaeasel
Today is an apple as you see - it's one of those things I always fall back on when I'm out of ideas and time. William F. Reese said when he was getting serious about becoming a full time artist, he started by painting an apple everyday until other ideas started to come to him. I admire that. I actually thought about doing an apple everyday in some form or arrangement, but was out of apples when the challenge started.
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| Apple and Blossom Study - NFS 5 x 5 Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 20 #stradaeasel
Went with the orange one more time to exaggerate surrounding colors. The first two were done out of context for a larger piece I was considering I'm convinced that things from nature go best with a variety of greens and blues. In this one the main color in background was medium violet, but my eyes were seeing much more depending on where I was focused which often happens so I exaggerated what I saw in the corner of my eye. Wanted to work more, but running on a deadline for another commitment.
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| Orange and Secondaries Study - NFS 8 x 5 Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 19 #stradaeasel
Had less time today so revisited the orange with a different colored cloth just to emphasize color contrast. The Strada Easel challenge continues to be worth the time as I'm learning more about my weak areas so I am able to put together a study plan for myself. I'll probably get more painting done that way and hopefully improve this girls skills along the way. Hurray!!!
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| Orange BlueGreen Study - NFS Oil on canvas sheet - 4.5 x 6 ©2023 |
Day 18 #stradaeasel
Thought I'd take a break from all the green today. I've been working with a flat brush, but I think I'll go with a filbert on the next round object I paint.
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| Study with Orange and Reds - NFS Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 17 #stradaeasel
Had some fresh lemons and wanted to work with greens again. It's the hardest color for me so several of the challenge painting have a green background. Kinda like eating the frog first idea, and hopefully it will get easier as I move along.
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| Block In - NFS Lemons in a Row Oil on canvas sheet - 9x6 ©2023 |
Day 16 #stradaeasel
Hump Day for the Month of January!! Shifted gears a bit today and painted something more familiar. Apples!! These have been sitting awhile and honestly ready for the trash, but thought they needed a reason to exist since they are no long edible. Glad I did the painting.
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| Quick study - NFS Old Acquaintance Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
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| Unfinished - NFS Blue Floral Teacup Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 14 #stradaeasel
No special history on this cup and saucer. It's just a new start for the challenge. I took a bit more time to do the setup today, but kept it simple. Another benefit of doing this daily challenge is I'm finding the skill areas that need the most work. Gives me something to look forward to when I'm working on my painting skills after the challenge. Actually looking forward to it - love learning!
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| Unfinished Block in - NFS Blue Floral Teacup Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
Day 13 #stradaeasel
Today, I just swapped out the teapot from yesterday and left the background - not good. I honestly need to work on a better setup with more color harmony, but I got a late start and had to get something posted to stay in the challenge. I'll do this one again, just not sure when.
This teapot is older than I am. It's a Price Kensington from England and belonged to my Grandmother.
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| Unfinished - NFS Grandma's Old Brown Teapot Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
