100 Paintings Challenge: Painting #17 and 18

Quantity over Quality

Sounds odd doesn't it?! Quantity over quality………

The purpose for quantity over quality is because most of us strive to paint a quality painting each time we touch brush to paper. We sometimes get too caught up in the quality of our paintings and don't finish them for a myriad of reasons including "it's not good enough," "it doesn't look right," and "it looks nothing like I thought it would."

By focusing on quantity, we set aside the search for perfection and begin to paint for the practice of it, to learn what works, what doesn't and to keep going - no matter how good or how poorly a painting is turning out.

Giving/Receiving Encouragement

One of the things that can help us to grow quickly is encouraging comments - it keeps us motivated to continue painting. We are often “too close” to our own work and someone else, with more distance, can easily see areas to be improved.

Giving Encouragment:

• Be positive and upbeat!

• Use constructive criticism if you offer a critique.

• Be specific about what works well and why OR what does not work well and why.

• Re-read your comments BEFORE posting to make sure they say what you want them say!

• Be kind and courteous.

• Consider that you may not know what the artist’s “vision” is for a particular piece of artwork.

Receiving Encouragement:

• Try it on for size - if it fits, great. If not, disregard the comment(s).

• Take the comment in the spirit it was given - to be helpful.

• Do not fire off a comment in anger or hurt.

• Do not retaliate by being hurtful in your comments back to someone who has hurt you.

If you feel someone is being unfair on a repeated basis, contact me directly so that we can discuss it off-line.

PLEASE NOTE: As moderator of this blog, I reserved the right to delete any and all comments and/or posts offensive or harmful to other participants. This includes excessive negativity. I reserve the right to remove a participant from the blog if offensive behaviors persist after a written warning is issued. All decisions will be final and not open for discussion.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Painting #17 and 18 - Angel Trumpet

Two years ago we went to Maui and discovered Angel Trumpet Blooms with their wonderful fragrance and huge size. Perhaps because we are all from Wisconsin we were totally amazed at the size of these flowers, nothing grows that big there.

I used a photo reference of my grand smelling this huge bloom.

I thought I knew how to paint hair.

The peachy color of this flower was so difficult for me to get.

Since I wasn't thrilled with this painting I decided to try just a flower (below).

I have discovered when I am disappointed in a painting I need to do it again from a different viewpoint and that's what I did here.

Gosh, I even used that rigger again. It's so great for those small areas.

Next!

7 comments:

Kathy said...: Beautiful color in the flower, Teri! The green of those leaves makes me long for spring * sigh*. I applaud your attempt at hair in your first photo---at least I can tell what it is! I haven't even attempted a person in WC, but maybe I'll try ; ). Thanks for sharing~~; February 2, 2010 at 8:12 AM
Claire M said...: Thanks for the reminder to not give up -- and maybe try something a little different. I think it is great that you first tried to do what the photo had captured, and I just love the second image that you went on to paint.; February 2, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Kelly said...: Holy Moly, Teri! You're already up to painting #17 and #18....you're going to be able to double your goal! I've been AWOL due to numerous boring reasons, but hopefully I'm back. I can't wait to go through everyone's painting. Teri I love the color in this and the blurry background. I like the action of your granddaughter smelling the flower. It's very peaceful. The second painting is so pretty. I'm missing flowers a lot now...winter is growing tedious....your flowers make me think of summer.; February 2, 2010 at 3:37 PM
Teri said...: Thanks everyone. This makes me miss Hawai'i AND flowers.; February 2, 2010 at 8:54 PM
Elva Paulson said...: Hi Teri, You capture the delicacy of flowers. Someday, when the flowers are out again, I'll have to try some. ... and I admire your trying the much more difficult one with your granddaughter. She does give the flower scale.; February 2, 2010 at 11:51 PM
Laure Ferlita said...: Great job on executing a tough angle on the first image, Teri. I really like the hand to add depth into the picture frame.; February 5, 2010 at 12:58 PM
K said...: Oh, yay, I love these Teri! You could probably still finish up the hair by putting darker strands with a rigger, or just say NEXT and make notes for the next time. I think the hair looks great and can still be saved.

I also love your cool angles on these photos!; February 6, 2010 at 8:53 AM

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Artistic Development

• This blog is dedicated to artistic improvement. It is a venue for the committed artist to receive ENCOURAGEMENT while taking on the 100 Painting Challenge.

• It is a place to discuss struggles with the challenge.

• It is a place to celebrate milestones, accomplishments and breakthroughs.

• It is a place to offer encouragement to others.

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• It is NOT a place to share negativity or any off-topic subject. This is an art blog.

• It is NOT a place to lurk. The expectation is that each artist will be posting at least 4 paintings a month, one per post.

• A painting may only be posted once.

• The painting should be posted on this blog and not direct participants to another link.

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• Up to two paintings may be posted by each artists for critiques and feedback each month.

About the Challenge

The 100 Paintings In a Year Challenge is intended for artists that are dedicated to the growth and development of their style as well as their artistic voice. The challenge also provides a means for overcoming areas in need of improvement.

The paintings should be a mix of small, medium and large pieces, some sketches, plein aire, and studio work; work from life as well as from photos. The variety is meant to push the artist out of any rut, to provide ample opportunity to create no matter what other time obligations are going on, and to challenge the artist if they do not create in one of these categories. The work can be done in any medium, but it is strongly advised that the artist consider choosing one medium in which to do the Challenge as this will help facilitate faster growth than trying to master multiple mediums.

DO NOT JUDGE the artwork! When a piece is complete, set it aside and move to the next piece of work. Learning to suspend judgement of our work is a major step forward in the development our skills.

Once committed, the expectation is that the artist will fully participate in the blog by posting on a regular basis as well as leaving encouraging comments of others' artwork through comments.

The challenge may be started at any time.

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