Work In Progress

 Work in Progress

Day 23 Strada Easel Challenge

Getting closer....little by little.   Below are days 21 and 22 not included in the blog before because I was out of town when I did them.

Work In Process

 Work In Process

 

Day 20 Strada Easel Challenge 

I’ve added the ideas from my digital version but there’s no actual texture added just yet.  I’ve had to brush off most of the pastel on that side of the shawl and have a lot to do yet...but “I think” this version will be the final one. What a wrestling match this painting has been! Oh well, no pain...no gain!

Work In Process - Digital

 Work In Process

Day 18 Strada Easel Challenge

Digital magic! This time I decided to save my sanity and work digitally on the partially completed painting to resolve the shawl issue.  I came up with several options...think I like this version the best. 

I also spent a very chilly morning in the car...does that count as plein air?  I don’t think so.  Might be the last time I do that! Burrr...

Work In Process

 Work In Process

Day 17 Strada Easel Challenge

This time...I gave myself a little break from that dang-nab shawl and focused on the kettle. Next, I’m going to resort to using an app to think of better options for the rest of the shawl. No matter how I rearrange the still life, the patterns in the shawl are just not falling the way I want them to.

Work In Process

 Work In Process

Day 16 Strada Easel Challenge

So, there has been some progress made on the shawl...but it still has a ways to go.

Work In Process

 Work In Process

Day 14 Strada Easel Challenge

Working on the other half of the painting. I don’t usually work this way but in this case, it keeps me from being overwhelmed by that darn shawl in the background. Still a lot to do. Hopefully I can persevere through it. I’m trying to get the detail in without being too photorealistic.  I always shoot for painterly yet detailed.

Work in Process

 Work in Process

Day 14 Strada Easel.Challenge 

This side is almost done.

I now remember why I sat this one aside. I started with a black background...because that’s what was in my set up. Then, part way through I decided it really needed something to bring the three objects together besides a black background. Fortunately I had a colorful shawl that fit the bill...unfortunately, it added a tremendous amount of work to the piece.  Like 2020, it was dark and overwhelming. As I progressed, the piece became too busy and the folds in the shawl was becoming too distracting. Lesson learned, be sure of your composition before you start. 😊  As painful as it is, I’m planning on cropping the painting into a square format (my favorite format)...and only including the left half of the teapot.  Why, you might ask? Because the focal point is intended to be the shaft of light falling across the shawl and onto the tabletop, highlighting the sugar bowl, edge of the teapot/steam and flowers. The curve in the teapot handle will gently guide the eye from the top right corner of the piece down toward the light (at least that’s the plan).

I don’t know why, but during the winter months I wake very early (like, 3am today) so, I’m done for the day having put in 4-6 hours already). In fact, I see a nap in my near future (after Benny gets his dog walk in).