It’s always a good day in the studio!
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 |
