100 Paintings Challenge: Tiger thoughts!

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.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Tiger thoughts!

This is for my sister's 50th birthday and the picture has been composed from a series of pictures I found on the net. My sister being an activist for animal causes....I thought it was appropriate! Painting this picture has been a HUGE learning experience! I am not sure I really enjoyed painting the picture, I think painting animals doesn't really turn me on too much....it took a lot of time, and I am still not sure I like the competed picture. I wonder, does one paint any and every subject because as an artist one should be able to, or should one stick to things that catch ones interest, and in my case that would be landscapes and trees and views from things happening around me. I have painted a lot of still life as Habib, my art guide has insisted that it is the best way to learn when one starts to paint. The other thing is that I like painting 'wet' water colours and not have to put in minute details, I work quickly and like to finish my work in just a couple of sittings, if not a single one....I think animals and people require a lot more detail!
Its the first time I have done a picture on a full sheet! It was difficult to do such a big picture using water colour!
Would appreciate comments on the picture itself, as well as my musings!!

4 comments:

Teri said...: You did a wonderful job on this despite your misgivings. It seems like I always paint better when I am in love with the subject.

It is perfect for your sister and her cause. I'm sure she loves it!; October 16, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Elva Paulson said...: I salute you for tackling such a difficult subject. I think both people and animals take a lot of practice and love of the subject. ... and all artists should be painting what they love.

Nice composition here and I love his personality. .. Does his legs need f few dark stripes?; October 18, 2010 at 2:34 AM
brincrish said...: Actually hes a half grown one, so no stripes! I used a number of reference pictures!
Thanks for looking and commenting!; October 19, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Kelly said...: ...I think we're supposed to be able to paint anything, but I have to admit, if I don't have some sort of emotional attachment to the image, I'm not going to love the process of painting it!

I like the graphic feel of this painting and the blocks of color. It all comes together well. I bet your sister was so happy to get it!; October 27, 2010 at 7:21 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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