Daily Paintings/Studies
I decided to do a painting a day for 2 weeks with the idea that I'd continue. It's been a great learning experience about how I work and what makes me tick. Here are my favorites of these daily paintings. All of these are 9x12 and smaller. I'll do this on/off and try to post on my blog as well for everyone to comment.
Mary Gilkerson's 5 day painting challenge - January 2018
January 2018
"So what’s involved in the challenge?It’s really super simple, to make a 20 minute painting for 5 days straight. Each day set a timer like the one on your phone for 20 minutes (paint mixing time doesn’t count), grab your largest brush or knife, and let her rip! Keep it simple and look for the big shapes. When the timer goes off STOP!! "
"So what’s involved in the challenge?It’s really super simple, to make a 20 minute painting for 5 days straight. Each day set a timer like the one on your phone for 20 minutes (paint mixing time doesn’t count), grab your largest brush or knife, and let her rip! Keep it simple and look for the big shapes. When the timer goes off STOP!! "
For day 1 I chose a path that caught my eye a few years back when visiting Delaney Wildlife Management Area in Harvard, MA. It seemed simple enough I picked my colors ahead of time and sketched the painting on with vine charcoal first. I chose what I thought I would need for colors first and set the timer. I stopped at 20 min. I would have liked more time but that's not the purpose of this exercise.
Another hind sight is that I shouldn't try to copy the painting. The path was strange and I copied it rather than paint somethig that made more sense.
Another hind sight is that I shouldn't try to copy the painting. The path was strange and I copied it rather than paint somethig that made more sense.
For Day 2 I chose a reference from one of my favorite places in mid coast Maine. It was probably a bit more complex than practical for a 20 min painting. I ended up taking 25 min for what I did. I thought I picked good colors ahead of time but needed to go look for better ones. I have learned I need to practice choosing colors because I am not happy with these. 6x9 pastel.
I also found that I should have thought my painting out a little bit more before getting started. Such a good exercise however.
I also found that I should have thought my painting out a little bit more before getting started. Such a good exercise however.
So, I was away to help my elderly mom the past several days. Hospitals don't take kindly to pastels in their patients rooms.
I am finally trying to finish this 5 day challenge. While this isn't painting in a series, I was motivated to paint this scene from our hike to Emerald Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park. I keep reminding myself, the purpose of the challenge is to get in a habit of daily painting and not for perfection. This took just over 20 minutes. I have learned that thinking in advance is a good idea. I didn't do a thumbnail on this one. Next time. |
This is my final painting of this official challenge. Sadly, I got 4 paintings done over the course of 13 days. Such is life. But, in life, sometimes we need to set priorities. The term "Sandwich Generation" seems to have been lost but is still quite applicable in many households. I have been away helping/caring for my elderly mom who lives out of state. If not away, time is spent on the phone with encouragement and/or getting medical information.
While painting in a series would have been nice, I went with what inspired me as I flipped through my photos. Today, this did something for me so I painted it. My last painting of this type (Skies Over Wachusett) won me some awards a few years ago.
While painting in a series would have been nice, I went with what inspired me as I flipped through my photos. Today, this did something for me so I painted it. My last painting of this type (Skies Over Wachusett) won me some awards a few years ago.