What I Learned From The 30 in 30 Painting Challenge

I should begin by saying that before the 30 in 30 Challenge, I participated in the 5-Day Challenge held my Mary Gilkerson. She's an awesome teacher, by the way.  The limitation she placed on hers was to do a 20-30 minute painting for 5 days. One would think it impossible to do much of anything in a mere 20 minutes but I was very pleased with all 5 of mine.  They are all 5” x 7” pastels, in 5  different color palettes,  and all of the Taos Gorge Overlook. 

My take away from Mary’s Challenge: You can accomplish A LOT in 20 minutes!

Taos Gorge Overlook, 5" x 7" Pastel, 5-Day Challenge

While working on Mary’s challenge, Leslie Saeta announced her ninth 30 in 30 Challenge. 

Since I was already on a roll with Mary’s challenge I wanted to keep going.  I don't recall, Leslie stating a time limit.  I continued with the same subject but changed it up a little. I Instead of 5" x 7", I went with 6” x 8”, switched to oils and limited myself to ONE hour.  Each also in a different palette and various techniques. 

Taos Gorge Overlook, 6" x 8" Oil, 30 in 30 Challenge

The biggest takeaway from these challenges is the realization that I NEED a goal and I NEED a deadline. 

The tangible result is that I have 35 paintings, all expressing a different mood, and am able to turn my thoughts to what to do with them. They would make a pretty impressive show, if I do say so myself. That means I will have to figure out which frame would be most complimentary and then just how to display them. But the biggest work is done and some valuable lessons have been learned. 

I spent the day cleaning and reorganizing my studio in preparation of what to do next and can’t wait to get started!

Thanks so much for coming along with me on this journey. I sure enjoyed your comments and your company!

Until next time….

Two Online Summer Workshops!

Let's Face It, everyone wants to try their hand at painting portraits and now you can and in the comfort of your own home! You will get to watch both paintings from start to finish and have the opportunity to comment and/ask questions throughout the workshop(s). I would love to have you join me and hope to see you there!

Pre-Registration is now open for both the Pastel and Acrylic Portrait Workshops.

"LET'S FACE IT", A PASTEL PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

Dates: 6/6/2018 - 7/17/2018
Location: Online
United States
Website: http://www.artfulgatheringevents.com

This is a pastel portrait workshop designed to help take the fear out of painting portraits! It may be more accurate to say that it is designed to help give you the courage to try your hand at painting portraits. There is technically no drawing involved. You will be given a reference photo and instructions on how to transfer it to a working surface. Supplies will be kept at a minimum for those wanting to get started without a big investment. 

This is the workshop I wish was available when I first started with pastels. I will show you the entire process from the reference photo to completion, share tips on framing and provide extra info in case you get bitten by the pastel bug. 

I’ll be with you every step of the way so come along with me and “Let’s Face It” together!

Click Artful Gathering to Pre-Register

and

"LET'S FACE IT", AN ACRYLIC PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

Dates: 7/16/2018 - 8/26/2018
Location: Online
United States
Website: http://www.artfulgatheringevents.com

This workshop is for beginner through advanced. The beginner will learn how to paint with Heavy Body Acrylics and the more advanced can apply their knowledge to my particular technique, which  is probably best described as “broken color”. The most common remarks concerning my work are on my use of brushstrokes and color. (Official definition: “Broken color is the technique used by Impressionist painters in an effort to capture the actual sensation of the light! The length of brushstrokes can vary from painting to painting determined by the mood or feelings of the painter on that day.“)

  The way I work lends itself best to what is called “Alla Prima”, loosely translated “the first”,  meaning the painting is done in one sitting, rather than over a period of days, weeks. Since this workshop is in acrylic, which dries quickly, Alla Prima is almost a given. But the more timid or fussy can work on it for as long as they want and, if they don’t get too fussy, the results will look the same. I think the speed in which they will be encouraged to work will be fun. Once they get over their initial fear they will have to default to intuition which usually brings very pleasant results.

I will explain why I recommend specific materials, demonstrate brushstrokes and palette knife techniques. Students will be provided with a reference photo which all will be asked to use for their first painting. I encourage each student to share the stages of development of this painting. Once students have completed the first painting, they are encouraged to paint from their own reference photo, with guidance and critiques offered along the way.  

I will cover how to varnish and frame, cover the ethical use of other’s photographs, give an overview of gallery and art organization’s policies, including what jurors look for in a good painting and will wrap up with what I feel are the most important things of all!

Click Artful Gathering to Pre-Register

To see more of my work, please visit sekulastudio.com. Click here to sign up for my newsletter. Thanks! 

The 30 in 30 Challenge is Complete!

Taos Gorge Overlook Collage

I am writing this post on the final day of the 30 in 30 Painting Challenge. This collage depicts thirty 6"x 8" paintings in oil, all in different palettes and on various painting surfaces. You can see all of the paintings individually on my blog either here or on my website, sekulastudio.com

I would very much love to hear which are your favorites. It is easier to post a comment on the blog on my website than it is here. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am beginning to phase out the one I have on blogger and concentrate everything here. Yes, that is a big endorsement for Fine Art Studio Online (FASO).

I will be sharing what I learned from the painting challenges in an upcoming post. But for now, spring is calling and I must go outside and greet her!

30 in 30 Challenge, Day Thirty!

Taos Gorge Overlook, 6 " x 8", Oil

30 in 30 Challenge, Day Twenty Nine

Taos Gorge Overlook, 6" x 8", Oil