It’s always a good day in the studio!
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 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 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 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 |
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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 |
Day 12 #stadaeasel
Today was a very l l o o n n g g g g day. Doctor's and helping daughter along with usual house todo's. So the value study was all I could muster. I'm glad I did it though because I better understand the challenges I'll face when I actually get to paint it.
Another unexpected benefit of doing the strada easel challenge is I haven't been obsessed or overly concerned about making mistakes like I use to be. I know I have to work for a couple hours (at least) and get the result posted no matter what!!
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| Value Study Pastel - Unfinished - NFS Tetsukyusu Pastel on drawing paper ©2023 |
It's a new Japanese teapot that I bought for myself because it is so cool. It's called a Tetsukyusu - made of cast iron and lined with enamel. The decoration is embossed and it is heavy. Inside is a removable tea infuser and I thought the trivet was a nice addition.
Here's a photo of the set up I threw together because I was running out of time. Need more contrast when I attempt the actual painting.
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| Tetsukyusu |
Day 10 # stradaeasel
This miniature Japanese vase (2.5" high) has been with me since 1953 gifted to me by my 3rd grade teacher Ms.Trudeau. She introduced the class to Oriental culture and their art has been interesting to me ever since.
Will work more on this tomorrow. |
| Block in Unfinished - NFS Keepsake Japanese Vase Oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
