Hilton Head Four Challenge - New Orleans

Our 9th Hilton Head Four (HH4) semi-monthly challenge was provided by Regula "Lulu" Scheifele.  What a great picture of a wonderful gentleman playing his guitar on the streets of New Orleans.  Now here is a man how really looked like he was enjoying himself.  Lulu said she bought even one of his CDs.  How fun if she played it while she painted his portrait. 

Play'n the Blues, 8x8" oil on RayMar panel ($150)

This was a very interesting challenge because it totally took me out of my comfort zone.  I thought faces were tough, but I found out hands are in another category of tough for me! That's what's great about challenges... they are something that I had wanted to try, but never took the plunge.  I think they've pushed me to go places I probably would not go on my own.  I'm learning so much about changes in composite and color.  I also know that I need a challenge with a deadline.  Nothing like having to post something on a specific day to get you moving and painting.

If you aren't already trying challenges such as The Daily Painter's Challenge find a couple of artist friends and start your own challenge.  

 Regula 'Lulu' Scheifele  

Willie Plays the Blues, 8 x 8” oil on gessobord

Maria Bennett Hock

Panama Hat, 10 x 10” oil on Raymar Panel

Chris Werst

Art is a Journey

I am trying to get out of my comfort zone to push myself.  Workshops & challenges have really helped.  I decided to experiment with these 2 musicians.  They were sitting on overturned crates between stalls at a Saturday morning farmer's market.  

I don't know about you, but I don't let myself "play" with paint often enough anymore.  For me that means like most painters I want every painting to be successful.  I know I won't loosen up if I don't use larger brushes at least to start out.  That's harder than one would think & I haven't been entirely successful as I keep reaching for the small detail brushes!  So I decided I wouldn't even sketch out the painting but dive right onto a blank canvas without even toning it!!  Doesn't sound like much of an adventure, but it was for me.

This has become one of those paintings my husband teases me I should sell by the pound given how much paint ends up on the canvas as I make my changes.   I've been working on it off and on for a few months.  Paint some, set aside for a few weeks, pick up and paint some more.  It still wasn't "there", so I decided it was a good painting to summit to my on-line critique group. As always, they made great suggestions and as I was implementing their suggestions I saw additional things. 

Fiddling Around, 16x20" oil on canvas

Changes I've made following the suggestions of my fellow artists:

• Guy on the right: enlarged his head
• brought down his right shoulder  
• toned down the yellow jacket
• Guy on the right: the white shirt was too cool so added some warm tones
• made the brim of his hat (right) a little smaller... still might take off a little more
• raised his leg so the guitar fell back more
• added a touch of red in the middle background to balance the reds throughout the picture.  

First "draft"