Day 7, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge - Poppy Fields 2 painting

Miniature art trading card

ACEO 13 - Landscape Poppy Fields 2

2.5 by 3.5 inch 

gouache on watercolour paper

This painting is SOLD

A small painting of the Provence poppy fields in gouache.

ACEOs are small works of art measuring 2.5x3.5inch. They are an excellent and affordable way to start an art collection.

Day 6, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

ACEO 3 - Abstract 1 miniature art

2.25x3.25 inch

Acrylic monoprint on 300g watercolour paper

Available for purchase 12€, including postage

In December I had a brief foray into monoprinting, something I had never tried before. It wasn't very successful as I didn't really know what to do. I used acrylic on a piece of glass and mixed the paint about making marks using a stick for some of the prints. Some were more successful than other, but I need to work more on the thickness of the paint and the type of paper.

On some I obviously used too much paint resulting in 'ridges' on the print. On a second look, I felt these ridges gave some nice textures. I took out my ACEO template out and placed it over the monoprint in various places. The results were surprising, with some really nice compositions appearing. You can guess what happened next - so be prepared to see more of these monoprint ACEOs.

See HERE for yesterday's ACEO

Day 5, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

ACEO 1 - White Daisies

2.25x3.25 inch

Mixed media on 300g watercolour paper

(Watercolour, neocoloor 11 and oil pastels)

This must be one of the tiniest paintings I have ever done. I find it difficult to paint small and struggle with 4"x4" so this was a challenge.

I started a still life in oils on my usual 7"x10" canvas panel, but the light was so bad, even with a daylight lamp, I couldn't see if I had the form and colours correct. I have been meaning to try some ACEOs for a while, so I dug out some paper covered in a watercolour wash done some time ago and experimented. I had no preconceived plan and used the first thing that came to hand - a tin of Neocolour watersoluble crayons. I finished it off with a white oil pastel as the highlights were not very bright.

An Aside
I often cover watercolour paper with a wash but then hit a blank wall of what to paint. It is almost as though I have a fear of spoiling the lovely mingling of colours that happen magically on the paper. 

What are ACE0's?
ACE0's are a great way of collecting miniature art.
They are miniature pieces of art that measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2". If a small piece of art has different measurements than this, it does not qualify as an ACEO.
The acronym "ACEO" stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They can be original art, print editions or photographs.

Day 4, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

Morning Light Silver Birches

palette knife painting

oil on canvas panel

18x24cm (approx 7"x10")

Available to purchase US$120 international shipping incl.

I actually got down to painting something new for the fourth day of the challenge.

Theme for the challenge
I have been trying to think of a suitable theme for the challenge. I came up with several ideas but couldn't narrow it down to something I would want to do for 30 days. The one thing I was adamant about, was I wanted to paint smaller than my norm (24x18cm) so that I could paint more quickly and leave time for continuing on a larger painting.

I ordered some super heavy liquitex gesso and had my 6x8" box canvases all stacked up waiting. The gesso arrived today and I found out that it takes a minimum of 24hours to dry! So I have fallen down at the first hurdle and painted this on my usual 18x24cm canvas panel.

So for the theme for my challenge is THERE IS NO THEME! I will just continue to practice and work on my techniques with ideas as they pop into my head, having fun along the way.

Today's Painting
This is a photo I took while out for a walk one morning in an area called Sherwood Pines. The sun was shining and although it was cold, it was a nice morning for a walk. You might ask -

"Where are the pines?"
Sherwood Pines is an old pine plantation right in the middle of Sherwood forest (yes THE Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame) where they grew pines for pit props. As the mining industry no longer exists, they are gradually replacing the pines with indigenous trees. The area has been converted for  leisure use with bike and walking trails and an adventure playground for the kids. A great use of the area.

Sherwood Pines revisited
You might remember my previous painting from the September challenge of another walk in the same area, see here

Some close-ups of the knife work

Much of the pink ground is left showing to add 'sparkle'

Some of the initial brush stroke block-in is left untouched

The foreground is left deliberately loose and suggestive

Day 3, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

Day 3 of January 30 paintings challenge

Monastery Gardens at Cimiez

Palette knife painting

Oil on canvas board

24x30 cm (approx 10" x 12")

Available for purchase US$210, international shipping included

Another 'one I made earlier'. I am determined to start painting again this afternoon. I haven't picked up a palette knife or paint brush since well before Christmas and I am itchy to go.

This is a view of the gardens at Cimiez monastery in Nice. If you look over the wall at the end, there is a sweeping view of Nice (albeit including the railway sidings). Cimiez is the place the Russian Tsar had a palace, the site of a Roman amphitheater, Matisse's house and an ancient olive grove. All in all an interesting place.

Some close-ups

See yesterday's painting HERE

Day 2, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

Day 2 of January 30 paintings challenge
Provence Expressions

Palette knife painting

Oil on canvas board

18x24 cm (approx 7"x10")

Available for purchase $100, international shipping included

Thank you to all for your good wishes, I am feeling much better today but still not got into the painting frame of mind - although I am feeling not quite so sorry for myself LOL.

This is another painting 'I made earlier'. It is more expressionist than impressionist and, of course, full of colour. I am still finding realism tugging at me when I paint, so I deliberately tried to push the colours. The scene is from a combination of photos, with the typical trees and shed that define the landscape.

Some close-ups of the knife work

Cheat for day 1 of the January 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Ikebana 4 - Burnt Orange Chrysanthemums

Oil on canvas panel

24x30 cm (approx 10x12inch)

Palette knife painting 
100€, international shipping included

I have just returned from spending the holidays with my family in the UK. I thought I might be able to pull something together tonight, but as usual for this time of year I have picked up a virus and I am feeling sorry for myself. So I am cheating and posting this chrysanthemum still life painting that was part of the November Wetcanvas.com floral and botanical forum challenge. It does fit, more or less, into the challenge to my self this month, to push my painting style further.