Days 3 through 16...

The past 2 weeks have been very busy with getting the kids back to school and fall sports schedules, and me catching up with all the housework that I neglected while they were home over the summer.  So I have been painting daily, but not posting here on the blog... so here is a shot of days 3 through 16.

I have been jumping around from drawing from photos to drawing from life, enjoying both.  I just need to remind myself to slow down at the start of a piece and have a clear idea of my intent, being mindful of each mark I make, no matter the medium or style.  This is an experiment of sorts and I need to give it my all to actually get anything out of it.  Here's hoping the last half of 30 days brings me closer to my goal.

30 paintings in 30 days, September 2015 Edition

Day one! 

September 1st started my new project, 30 portraits in 30 days. I find working in series to be very productive for me and so I jumped at the chance to sign up for Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  I've decide to stick to portraits because that is something I love and have always wanted to improve on. For now I'm sticking with monochromatic watercolor because I feel working out he drawing is hard enough with out throwing color into the mix... Maybe as the month goes on I will feel more comfortable and break into more color.  I intend to at least do one sketch in my book everyday, and then more on days when I have more time ( like when E starts school next week).  I liked how this one was coming along before I tried to add in more details...

but I thought it got weird when I did...

Either way, it doesn't have a likeness, which is what really bothers me.  So, I keep trying!

Max the Red Toy Poodle

"Max the Red Toy Poodle"

6" x 6"

watercolor

This little guy was a commission given as a house warming gift.  The client had a bunch of great reference photos for me to choose from, which I love.  This is actually based on two different photos belive it or not, a black and white for the pose and a color to get his coloring right.  Sometimes people think they don't have a good enough photo to paint from, but I actaully like some "not that great" photos better.  Like the commission I'm working on now, the photo is a tad of of focus, but that just helps to see the big shapes first, which helps the painting hold together better.

Here he is all framed up and ready to go:

Day 10 - Brewster

"Brewster"

4" x 4"

acrylic on panel

This little guy is a gift for my best friend Suzy.  She has never been a "dog person" but I think she's a Brewster person.  How could you not be with that face!

This is were I left off, before I got sidetracked with moving rooms, and the whole stomache bug thing...

Now that I have my "studio" back, I can get back to work.