Looking Ahead to 2017 - Bright, Colorful and Full of Hope

A Cheerful Splash - figure study 

A little hesitant at first but I decided to jump into the game!

Yes. I signed up for another 30 in 30 challenge with Leslie Saeta and her group of artists. It looks like over 500 artists have joined this time around. I was part of the very first 30 in 30 challenge back in 2013 and what a faboulous experience it was for me. 

I'm going at things a little different this time. This time around I'm not looking to complete a painting. My focus is to build a daily habit of painting/drawing. I realized over the past year my studio habits slacked off substantially. I was busy with other commitments which pulled me away from my studio and the time at the easel. What makes this even more frustrating is that over the summer we renovated the basement making my studio even bigger and full of natural light. It's a beautiful place to paint, create and just relax.

So why wasn't I painting more? There are many reasons and I don't want to bore you with the details, but let's just say I can see where my priorities need to change and time management is a skill I need to work on. :)

My theme this challenge is figure studies or sketches. With a large file folder of reference material at hand, I'm planning to work in acrylics, on newsprint starting with a quick sketch done in a sharpie marker.  

I don't intend to sell these studies they are just for my reference but I'm happy to share my work and to encourage my students that it isn't always about the final product. It's about enjoying and exploring the process. It's about consistency and showing up on a daily basis to do what you love to do.

It's not about perfection, it's about being true to yourself... and willing to share that authenic self with others. To be confident that this process requires mistakes in order to grow. But it all circles back to showing up, doing your best with what you've got and leaving the rest to God.

Some of these studies or sketches will turn into completed paintings and others will remain just that, a study. 

The first sketch of the series is titled "A Cheerful Splash" ... it's just how I'm feeling now about the beginning of a new year! New Hope!

This figure study is based on a painting by artist Joseph Bowler. I absolutely love his work. He began his career in 1948 as an illustrator and now is an American Master Portrait Artist.

One of the most beneficial tools any artists has today to learn and improve their skill is the internet. I spend time researching artists that inspire me. I'll gather images into a folder on my computer and either in my sketchbook or on newsprint I'll sketch or do color studies to really study the paintings of master artists.

​I'll ask myself, what is it that attracted me to the painting in the first place. Is it the colors? the subject? the mood? the composition? the  contrast of light and dark? By actively studying a master's work I have gained so much valuable insight... I see these studies as mini art lessons by that master. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog - I look foward to posting and sharing my figure studies over the next 29 days.

Peace and blessings,
​Linda