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 |
