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8.29.2014

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!

8.22.2014

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!


8.03.2014

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!