100 Paintings Challenge: Paintings Number 3 and 4 Cactus Blooms

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, January 4, 2010

Paintings Number 3 and 4 Cactus Blooms

I started out with this painting and then moved right on because I didn’t like it. (geez, that judge in me is so overwhelming). I like the colors but the cactus blooms just didn’t look right. I painted this from a photo I took last spring when this plant was blooming and the flowers are so delicate and faintly colored that I decided to try just one flower so it was the only focus.

I like the delicacy of this one but it is lost on the white paper. I did crank up the pink a bit and put a light blue wash in the background. My question is; what kind of background would look best?

I get so focused on my subject that backgrounds elude me. I guess I see the trees and not the forest.

This is on Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor paper. A good paper is such a dream to paint on. I think I've been using Moleskine way too long.

5 comments:

Laure Ferlita said...: These are fun, Teri! I love all the little "knobby" things and the other buds - very cool!

You're the artist - what do YOU think would make a great background? Do you see something darker? Another cactus behind the bloom? A deep blue sky? A little of both? Something else?

Leave the safety of the photo ref behind and try something different! Do what you think the image needs.; January 4, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Kelly said...: ...maybe because I don't know what the plant looks like and I've never seen the blossom, I like the painting. I see the difference in the closeup, but I still like the big painting!; January 4, 2010 at 11:37 AM
K said...: Wow, Teri, at first I thought the top image was your reference photo! Amazing.

I do like the close-up of the bottom image, with all the detail you put in there.

I'm no help with backgrounds, but I like what Laure said about it.

I agree about the paper too. I have a handbook and an Aquabee and much prefer 140 lb watercolor paper, but still trying to work within the limitations of my sketchbooks.

Great job, Teri!; January 5, 2010 at 7:20 AM
Claire M said...: I was really taken by the first image especially the green part -- seeing the lights and darks -- ins and outs in the shape. As for the flower portion I can see the delicate petals a bit more in the second image.; January 8, 2010 at 1:49 AM
Kathy said...: I think they are both beautiful, Teri. The petals on the second one are perfect and delicate--I love the colors!; January 8, 2010 at 6:37 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 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.

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