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 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 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 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 |
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 11 #stradaeasel
This was not an easy task and one that will require a do-over, but I learned something from the effort.
Process on this one was rushed so I didn't make a grid before beginning - the vase is 2.5 in. in life, but in the painting it's 3.25 in. so keeping all the little facets in the vase in proportion was the challenge. If I'd done a drawing in conte' first to see what I could edit out and still do it justice might have made my life easier. The detail looks a little fussy and the flower is larger than I'd like, so it is another area that I'd like to take more time with now that I am familiar with the arrangement. I think it will go easier when I attempt it again.
Tomorrow will be a busy day, so I will choose something less detailed to paint.
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| Unfinished - NFS Keepsake Japanese Vase 6x6 Oil on Canvas Sheet ©2023 |
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 |
Day 9 #stradaeasel
Decided to work with this tea pot still life a little more today. Cleaned up the drawing a bit, but the tricky part was to get the design on without losing the volume. Still could use some work, but I think it's time to move on to the next object.
I'm actually discovering more about process going through this #stradaeasel exercise. I'm more aware of choices I am making.
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| Unfinished - NFS Tea Pot w/Bamboo Handle Oil on Canvas Sheet ©2023 |
Day 8 #stradaeasel
The Strada Easel January Challenge is having a positive effect on my attitude. Got up this morning looking forward to another day of block-in. That hasn't happened for quite some time.
This one I used the palette knife in a few areas. I really wanted to finish it so maybe will work on it again tomorrow. Whenever I go to a thrift store I look for still life stuff like this one.
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| Unfinished Block in - NFS Tea Pot w/Bamboo Handle Oil on Canvas Sheet ©2023 |
Day 7 #stradaeasel
Decided to try something a little different today, but will be going back to the tea pot later this month.
This had a similar concept to the previous oil sketches working with light and how the arrangements work with lighter-darker, warmer-cooler, and intensity-greyed color backgrounds and foregrounds.
What I love about this painting challenge is that I'm getting back into a rhythm and feel productive again.
I made it a whole week!!!
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| Unfinished - NFS Oval Pot with Orchid Oil on Canvas Sheet ©2023 |
Day 6 #stradaeasel
Had to work on this tea pot again and change it up a bit. I am happier with the result as it has more visual interest.
Remember when you were learning your alphabet, and had to repeat the letters over and over again? Well, that's what painting is like as you go through the learning process, and why I choose to repeat the same subjects with different arrangements, lighting, color, etc. It also allows me to get really familiar with an object that has difficult lines, angles and curves.
So while still unfinished, here is today's result.
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| Block in Unfinished - NFS Tea Pot with Rust Mum oil on canvas sheet ©2023 |
