Self-Imposed Challenge

Autumn Creek

11x14, pastel

So............. this is my husband's favorite painting (really I think he says that about most! Wise man!!!) It is currently hanging in Pitzer's Fine Arts in Wimberley, Texas if you would like to see it in person. Anyway, I digress, as you can see it is rather detailed. I feel that can lead the observer into the painting to see all that is there. But, in the art world there is the mantra that 'less is more', leave it to the imagination of the observer to fill in the gaps.

I decided that I would try to accomplish that by focusing on the 'economy of strokes' using the same reference photo. I, also, reduced the size of the painting to 8" x 10". This is  my first and second attempt at reducing the number of strokes in the painting. I used the same pastel underpainting ( set with alcohol) as I did on the original.

Autumn Creek II

8x10, pastel

Autumn Creek III

Each painting has fewer strokes than the previous one. I have my favorite, how about you, what is yours? Let me know.

Challenge Painting

Challenge Painting

10 x 6, watercolor

Click to buy

Weekly on Daily Paintworks there is a challenge offered for those artists interested in a challenge, or stepping outside the box, or just want a different subject to paint. This week Carol Marine, (great artist, formerly from Austin area, Google her) offered a photo taken during one of her many workshops. This was taken in Texas, when one of her students graciously agreed to pose. 

I thought it was such a cool idea and decided to give it a try.

Study #8

Study #8

6 x 6, pastel

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OK, so I finally completed a study in a color scheme way out of my comfort zone. I dutifully took out the  7-8 pastels from the box and closed it so I would not be tempted to sneak in my "go to" colors. It was a challenge, but that is what this is supposed to be, right?

Thank you, dear.