30/30 January Challenge #13

It is a good thing I finished this last night because I certainly didn't have time today to paint as Bob and I drove down to Sandpoint for the day.

#990 - Glistening Raindrops - 5 x 7 watercolour

A few years ago someone emailed me some photos of raindrops or dew caught in various plants. I don't know the photographer so I can't give credit but the photos grabbed my attention so I saved them and printed them for my reference files. I think I did a credible job of reproducing the image.

Take some time to visit Leslie's 30/30 page to see some of the other work in this challenge.

30/30 January Challenge #12

The painting I planned to share today is taking me longer to do than I thought it would take. There are just too many subtle little details to do and I have a student coming this afternoon so I won't have time to finish.

Fortunately, I have a piece in reserve!

#980 - Quilled Hummingbird with Fuchsia - 5 x 7 mixed media

Last year I did a few cards like this and they were sold right away so I thought I would do a few more and mat them. I am not sure why I don't like this piece but I have sold a number of paintings that I didn't like so maybe this one will sell too.

Each day, like the month, just seems to zoom past so that I wonder where it has gone - too much to do and not enough time!

Check out Leslie's 30/30 page and stop by tomorrow to see what you should have seen today!

30/30 January Challenge #11

I have switched back to my miscellaneous file and found a picture that I tore from another of Bob's computer magazines. This was a fun piece and really didn't take much skill to paint.

#989 - Lurking in the Dark - 5 x 7 watercolour

An undercoat of Quinacridone Gold, then a nice dark mix of Ultramarine and Burnt Umber; some negative and positive painting and voilà it was done! If you are wondering what it advertised here is the caption: "In today's digital economy, predators evolve. Does your security?" The photo really caught my fancy and I am glad to have finally painted it.

It is hard to believe that this is just the eleventh day of the challenge; the time seems to be going so fast. Don't forget to check out the other art on Leslie's 30/30 page because some of the work is seriously amazing.

Thanks for stopping by!

30/30 January Challenge #10

My last painting was inspired by a suggestion from a blogging friend and today's was suggested by a Goggle+ friend. At this rate, I won't have to do any thinking for myself - lol.

#988 - Flower Bells in Blue - 5 x 7 watercolour

Diane suggested that a dark blue edge around the black and white flowers would look interesting. I admit that I got a bit carried away and maybe added too much blue but I don't mind the effect I achieved. I also decided to go with a rectangular mat this time as I find the ovals harder to cut but, again, I don't mind the look.

Have a look at the work of the many artists who are playing along with this challenge - Leslie's 30/30 page while I go and plan what I will paint tomorrow.

30/30 January Challenge #9

After I posted my first Black and White piece, the Oriental Poppy (challenge #5), Nelvia commented that she could see the poppy filled in with red. So, I decided, 'Why not?'

#987 - Poppies in Red - 5 x 7 watercolour

I didn't want to have the same picture so I checked my files for some different views of poppies.

Once the drawing was done, I added the dark paint which I make by mixing Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna, then I added the colour.

Base colour

The cool thing about painting this way, if you have the tones right the first time adding the colour is a piece of cake. Of course, I had to cut a new mat as the others where all used on the black and white paintings.

Pop over to Leslie's 30/30 page to see what the other artists have been doing in this challenge and tune in here for tomorrow's instalment.

30/30 January Challenge #8

For today's instalment, I have done another painting in Black and White to go with the black and white mats

#986 - Lilies - 5 x 7 watercolour

I guess I did a little too much brightening on this as the mat isn't showing very well. Also, I had a really dark reference photo for this so I ended up guessing at some of the details but I think it turned out okay.

I have managed to get a few extra paintings done so I plan to use some time today to start my bedding plants - just the thought of the flowers to come makes me happy!

Now, I am going to post this to Leslie's 30/30 page and go and play in the dirt!

30/30 January Challenge #7

When you are working for some time with the same technique it is easy to get a rhythm going and to pick it up quickly again when you have to stop for a while (to cook dinner for instance).

#985 - Two Tulips - 5 x 7 watercolour

For this piece I used a painting that I did a few years ago as a reference. Of course, no two paintings are ever the same because I always change things; the angle of a flower or the number and shape of the leaves.

I was asked on Facebook if it is harder to paint in black and white than in colour. My response was that in one way it is easier because the colour doesn't distract you but you have to look for the sometimes subtle tonal changes.

Around 1,000 artists have joined this 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Although not all of them post their work on Leslie's 30/30 page , it is always interesting to pop over and see what those that do post, create.