Showing posts with label Leslie Saeta challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leslie Saeta challenge. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Day 5 "Gullagain"

Day 5 | 2016 | 30 in 30


I haven't quite figured out a title for this one so for now its
“Gullagain”

6x6” oil ($50)

Yesterday' painting almost painted itself.  That usually means the next couple of paintings I try too hard and struggle.  Does it ever get any easier?  I guess then it wouldn't be a challenge.   One of the things I hope to come away with after painting 30 paintings is to paint faster and more efficiently.   I know that's when I paint my best.  Sounds simple but its anything but!  

I am painting on Gessobord, experimenting using a scrapper not only to remove paint, but to draw with in the paint.  


Art Tips

cardboard backing

As much as I enjoy painting on Gessobord, it is hard to handle without getting my fingers in it.  For larger pieces, I cut out a "backboard" from 1/8" Masonite an add a 1/4" lip on the bottom.  For the daily smaller pieces I don't need a bunch of little Masonite backboards so I decided to cut them out of cardboard.  Just cut a piece about 2" larger than your board (don't worry about exact sizing, my cardboard backing is 8x8ish for working for these 6x6s").  Then I hot glue a ledge piece to the bottom to stabilize the cardboard and keep the gessobord from sliding.  Role a couple of pieces of blue painter's tape to hold the Gessobord on the cardboard.  Works like a charm.  I recommend once you finish the painting and if you leave it attached to the backboard you store/dry laying flat .  Otherwise, remove and put the panel in a drying rack. 


toning

I took a great workshop with QIANG HUANG.  He recommends spreading a very light coat of linseed oil on your board or canvas before beginning to paint.  I like the way the paints goes on.  Just don't forget to wipe it down before you start painting so you don't have too much Linseed oil on it or your paint will run.  Once I wipe it down I am toning the boards with Transparent Oxide Orange (Rembrandt).  It blends nicely with the lighter paints applied over it.  Something I learned from DREAMA TOLLE PERRY is if you put down just transparents first for your first layer, they will not get muddy.

 

"wipe out" drawing

 

Rather than draw with pencil, charcoal or conte crayon I'm drawing with a wipe-out tool.  I have different types, but I really like the Kemper Wipe Out Tool DREAMA recommends.  It is actually a ceramic tool so the rubber tips are a bit stiffer and it has a tip on each end which is handy.  Great thing about drawing with the wipe out tool is if you don't like something you just brush it out and redo.  


 

 

 
laying in the paint
 

The thing I'm struggling with painting wet into wet is getting really good darks.  Hopefully, after a few more paintings I'll figure it out. Looking at this now, I'm kind of wishing I'd left the background more tonal ... I like the effect. 




Sunday, January 3, 2016

Day 3 "Morning Exercise"

Day 3 | 2016 | 30 in 30

I tried to plan and be ready for the 30 in 30 this year.  While I have gathered photos for this project, I realize I don't have 30 (miscount due to a holiday sugar high!?) so I'm asking friends to email me a couple of their favorite pictures of their cats and dogs, or any birds they taken snapshots of for fun.  Its actually as much fun seeing the photos as painting them.  

I saw this photo and thought, "and a one..and two...and three..."  I'm sure I don't look this happy when I'm exercising at the gym.  Maybe the difference is having sun in your face or just being at the beach!


 

“Morning Exercise”
6x6” oil ($50)



Friday, January 31, 2014

The Leslie Saeta January 2014 Challenge is Done



I didn't have time to really get to know the website Picmonkey (who thinks of these names!?) when I made to collage below the other day.  I went back to experimented (played) and found it is a lot of fun!                    





It is so hard to believe that it is time to say au revoir to January!  Yesterday was the end of  Leslie Saeta’s 2014 January 30 paintings in 30 day challenge.  I’m proud that even being gone for a week I finished 24 paintings.   
At the beginning of the year a group of artist friends decided we’d each write a list of art endeavors we hope to accomplish in 2014 and share them when we met.   My list consisted of 20 things I plan to try to do and the challenge was one them.  I also promised myself I'd practice still life painting so those are two things I can already check off and the year is young.
What I learned about myself in this experience:
  • It isn’t a bad thing to paint just for the experience and practice. 
  • I need to let myself play (practice) more.
  • It was liberating not to worry about every painting being good enough to sell.  
  • When I spent too much time figuring out what to paint I procrastinated.
  • If I ever do another daily challenge I will plan ahead what to paint. 
  • It would be a good idea to pick one subject or just a couple and really get to know that subject.
  • I can paint faster!!
  • I enjoyed the challenge, but it was more stressful than I thought it would be.
  • Daily painting does become a habit (I was shocked I felt bad (well just a little) about not painting everyday on our cruise)
  • I now have an inventory of small works
  • I’m not a daily painter.  I now know I need a second day to go back to a painting.  Not to tweak, but my mind needs that break so I see the painting with fresh eyes.   
Thank you to Leslie and everyone who has given me so much encouragement this month and to all the wonderful artists who participated in the challenge.  







Thursday, January 30, 2014

# 24 - Loved His Hat

January 2014 Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Loved His Hat  6x6" oil


I saw this Swiss gentleman on a recent trip.  He looked so distinguished I took a photo.  There is just something about an older gentleman wearing a dress hat and a suit.   


I don't normally paint people.  I took a workshop from Karin Jurick in late 2013.  After the workshop many in the class did a weekly challenge painting a 4x4" 'mug shot' of a class member. If you haven't seen them, Karin actually paints from criminal mug shots.   That challenge gave me a more confidence to tackle painting faces.  It helps that I don't try to paint a portrait, but shoot for a resemblance, which takes the pressure off.  In fact, I think this gentleman might be pleased I've made him look about 20 years younger! 

The most interesting thing I learned doing this painting was I could actually do a small "portrait" in one sitting (using a photo). I also learned using a 6x6" canvas is so much easier than on a 4x4" painting.   Hats off to all you miniaturists. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

#23 - Fire Truck

January 2014 Leslie Saeta's painting challenge

Fire Truck
 6x6" oil

Turn the knob on the top and it takes off.   

I can't believe I woke up at 6:00am and started painting!  Who knew how hard it would be to paint an oddly shaped wooden toy.   The wheels made me crazy.  I finally had to make myself put the brush down.  You'd think I was trying to paint a masterpiece with all the "just one more stroke" I did!