CHALLENGE IN TEN

on a 6x6 panel, oil,  4, 3x3 exercise

Well, I stepped up for the challenge.  Carol Marine along with Daily Paintworks has set up a weekly challenge to exercise our brains.  I played with this concept and could not get under 12 minutes, until today.  These are my first 4 in 10 and was exhausting.  The next 4 will be later.  After doing this challenge I really reflected on the mental planning of a painting and not fiddling around.  I am a fiddler.  I like to circle the drain for a while before I pull the plug.  This exercise does not allow this play time I so enjoy.  

The challenge is to paint each of these in 10 minutes with a timer to keep me honest.  It is so easy to over state a concept.  To paint over and over and not sit with what was committed to when I first put my brush to the canvas.  Fear and trust are basics in life and cross over every part of my life.  So I say be fearless and have faith to forge ahead.  Take what you learned and carry on.

Cynthia Grilli Workshop Day #1 20x16 oil

Last week I started a 3 day workshop with Cynthia Grilli.  It takes place over 3 Wednesdays.  This was the end of my first painting day.  Basically a value painting with the beginnings of warm and cool.  The palette on this day was titanium white, yellow ochre pale, burnt sienna and ultramarine.  I love working with a limited palette.  It is not so overwhelming when trying to learn new stuff.  I will post day 2 next week.  I forgot to take a photo and left the wet painting in the studio till next week.

Parking Lot 15 8x10 oil

Now today was a good day.  I think I finally got the light.  All the greens are starting to make sense.  I actually saw this view a week or so ago and loved the light of the sun against the cool shadows of the hillside.  I was pleased that I stayed true to the plan and was able to pull the lights forward.