Color of White Challenge

Today is the first day in several weeks that I have felt well enough to paint.  I decided to try the challenge on the Daily Paintworks website called the Color of White Challenge.  The idea was to paint a white object on a patterned fabric.  Only white and primary and secondary colors could be used.  No black, brown, burnt sienna, burnt umber, etc.   A reference photo was provided, or you could use your own set up.  I decided to use the reference photo.

My biggest challenge in this was trying to paint the fabric!  I've never painted a patterned background before.  It was trial and error.  I couldn't figure out if I should put in a color first, or the white background first.  I started in one corner, and finally liked the results better when I put down a light background and then painted the pattern on that.  I also wanted to keep this to about an hour, but that was too optimistic!

I'm not lovin' it.  But hey, I painted!

8 inch by 8 inch oil on canvas panel

New Painting Value Study

This is a value study for a new painting  for my weekly class.  My instructor's teaching method is that we make a value study for every painting before we can start painting with color.  It's helpful to me for the drawing part.  I wiped off and redrew the nectarines twice before I got the placement right.  It's much easier to wipe off a value study than part of a painting, at least for me.  I don't have as much invested in it emotionally at that point.

Brr, it's cold.  I don't have enough clothes for this kind of weather.  My heavy sweaters are in a box somewhere in the garage because we are living with my daughter and in the process of building a house.  I didn't want to go out there and rummage around to find them.  I have on more layers than a street person!   Stay warm!

11" by 14" oil on canvas