Preparing for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

I am making every effort to set myself up for success. I'm very excited and motivated right now and can't wait to start painting, but it will be much easier if I am duly prepared.

It was suggested that a theme be chosen for the paintings you intend to do. In January, when I did the challenge for the first time, my subject matter was all over the place. I didn't mind that, but perhaps it wouldn't hurt to rein it in a bit. I have decided to call my paintings,

"On My Walk..."

I suppose this could have a variety of connotations, including a religious one, but I'm using it in a more literal sense. In good weather, I like to walk. Sometimes, I walk for fitness. Sometimes, the fitness aspect is just a nice benefit of the activity itself. I usually walk by myself. I like to stop a LOT to take photos when I am walking, as evidenced by the number of times my Nike+ app says "pausing workout." I digress...

The subject matter of my paintings will be many flowers, plants, and a few animals that I have run across as I walk along. The majority of the photos are from walks here in Virginia, but a few from other places have been included. I won't share the photos at this point, but they have all been put into a folder:

(As you can see, the folder includes 33 images. My thought is that some of the images that I have chosen my fail to move me on the day that I get to them, so I will have a few extra to choose from.)

Each day, I will paint a 4" X 6" watercolor. I will post it here on my blog and add it to my website, where it will be available for purchase for $50, which includes tax and shipping. I have a surprise planned at the end of the month for one lucky person who follows my progress. I will reveal the details in a few weeks on Facebook and here on my blog. If you are too curious and would like to know the details sooner, be sure you have signed up for my monthly newsletter, because those loyal fans will find out how it is going to work before anyone else. If you are not yet signed up, do so before midnight on August 31st to receive the September issue! CLICK HERE

Wish me luck! I hope you have fun watching me paint!

White Focal Point

A dear friend's oldest daughter is moving into her college dorm today. My graduation present to her was a painting of her pet bearded dragon that will have to stay at home with the family while she is at school.

I like almost all of God's creatures and I was excited about this painting, until it dawned on me that this beardie is predominantly white. I needed to capture his personality too. Like most things in my life, I just jumped in with both feet. I had four reference photos. I made my drawing and started painting.

A few hours later, I thought I was through. I was surprised that I was able to get such a good likeness in his face. I stood back and looked at the painting. Perhaps it is obvious to you what I saw....a big cactus dominating the scene. Perfect for a dorm wall? Not so much. Granted, it looks just like the composition in the photo I was working from, but I knew it would only work if all involved thought it was hysterically funny.

I debated matting the painting in a smaller size. It looks fine compositionally, but I sort of figured that the tail is an important part of a bearded dragon, so I decided to add some additional cacti.

I thought that this idea certainly took the main focus off the cactus in the dead center of the painting, but now the right hand side is heavy and his face sort of blends into the background. It is always amazing what one change can do to other elements in a painting! 

I put another wash into the background and beefed up the shaded parts of the face.

Later today I will pop it into a frame and send it on its way. Best wishes at college, my reptile friend!

Do You Want to Draw a Stickman?

This is a fun challenge that anyone could and should join! Bring some fun to your day! Each day has a prompt. No perfectionism, no judgement, just fun. Do it!

Day 1: JOY

Day 2: LOVE

Day 3: PETS

Day 4: FLYING

Day 5: DANCING

Day 6: SINGING

Day 7: SAD

Day 8: BORED

Day 9: FAMILY

Day 10: BEACH

Day 11: RIDING A BICYCLE

Day 12: FLYING A KITE

Day 13: GETTING MARRIED

Day 14: MERMAIDS

Day 15: ANGRY

Day 16: Soccer

Day 17: IN THE GARDEN

Day 18: SHOPPING

Day 19: TALKING

Day 20: AT THE ZOO

Day 21: BIRD WATCHING

Day 22: READING

Day 23: SURPRISED

Day 24: SLEEPING

Day 25: SICK

Day 26: LAUGH

Day 27: RUNNING

Day 28: EATING

Day 29: CELEBRATING

Day 30: CHILDREN

Day 31: BACK TO SCHOOL

I hope you have enjoyed the month of #31Stickmen; thanks to Lillian at It's a Dome Life for sponsoring it!

 In the month of September, I will be painting a small watercolor as a part of Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Sign up HERE.

I did this challenge in January. Here is a collage of the paintings that I did that month:

I would love for you to follow me as I try to do it again in September, or better yet, paint along with me!