100 Paintings Challenge: A Froggy Swimmer

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.

Monday, December 28, 2009

A Froggy Swimmer - Krista

Painting #2 of 100 Paintings
Watercolor, 4x6", 140 lb Arches Cold Press

I chose this painting for the bright sunlight and shadows, and the froggy was cute too. Practicing those hard edges and values. For some reason, I’m attracted to painting people. I’m still drawing and painting a wide range of subjects to find out what I like doing best. Funny how when I painted Troy, he ended up looking as he does NOW, not as a chubbier preschooler. I eliminated all of the unnecessary background and made the inflatable frog a bit simpler. I tried Laure’s technique for the water of putting down some squiggly lines and then brushing clear water over it to blend the lines. Photo reference attached.

Also blogged about on my personal blog, describing a more personal point of view. Click on my blog link at left, then my 100 Paintings Gallery.

11 comments:

Kelly said...: Hi Krista!! Isn't this exciting! You're already two paintings in...and they are beautiful paintings. I like Troy's happy face and the water is cool...

I'm starting my challenge January 1 or January 3--haven't decided yet. My blogging anniversary is Jan 3, which makes it a logical stepping off point (plus that will give me 2 more days to clean/organize my art room!).; December 29, 2009 at 1:01 AM
K said...: Thanks, Kelly! Yep, I'd love to somewhere warm about now. Have fun organizing your art room and looking forward to seeing your paintings too.; December 29, 2009 at 7:20 AM
Laure Ferlita said...: Love your water! Cracked me up that you used my technique as I was thinking what a good job you had done!

I think you've done a great job of capturing Troy's likeness and your skin tones are great. I think your innate "softness" will serve you well in painting people (though they have a full range of values too!).; December 29, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Cheryl Gebhart said...: I think you've got his likeness really well - it looks like the photo to me. What a cutie!!; December 29, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Timaree said...: I think you did a real likeness to the photo. He is a thin little one in the photo! Very nice on the water. I'm glad you shared the photo as that helps me see how your simplified.; December 29, 2009 at 12:54 PM
K said...: Laure, I never thought that my penchant for blending, or "softness" could be valuable in portraits. Good point. Thanks, Cheryl and Timaree. Glad you stopped by.; December 29, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Gabrielle said...: Nice Krista! The water is great and I like how you used different colors to make up the shadows on Troy's face and chest.

You were always bemoaning how pale your paintings were in the Paris class. I see lots of bold colors here!

What does Troy think?; December 29, 2009 at 10:21 PM
K said...: Hi Gabrielle! Thanks. I've been trying to really concentrate on being bolder and darker. Obviously, there are things I would change, but I'm also adopting Laure's motto: "Next!"

Troy just shrugged. Boys! But the Grandmas loved it - they both got prints for Christmas.; December 30, 2009 at 7:35 AM
Teri said...: Thanks Krista for posting this on your Blog because it got me involved.

Your colors are bold and your shadows are perfect. Love that water also, very 'watery'.

I am happy to be joining this group.; December 30, 2009 at 7:27 PM
K said...: Yay, Teri! Glad you joined.; December 31, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Kathy said...: I love this, too, Krista, and I really like your saturated color in these first two as well. Can't wait to see what you do next ; ).; January 2, 2010 at 6:35 PM

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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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