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.

January painting challenge

You may remember my paintings from the September challenge. It was fun to do, although stressful at times making sure there was a new painting everyday.

In January, I will be taking part in another 30 paintings in 30 days challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I have been thinking about a theme and several ideas have come to mind. One is to paint the same scene in different ways, another is to concentrate on abstracts and yet another is still lifes. I want to work smaller than my normal 18x24cm (7x10inch) and maybe give myself a time limit for each painting to encourage a free and loose style, concentrating on expressive brush or palette knife work.

Join me in January to see what I have decided.

Happy New Year to all, and I hope it is a good one. 

Provence Poppies Galore, palette knife painting in oil

Provence Poppies Galore

Palette knife painting

Oils on box canvas

20x15cm (approx 8x6 inch)
Available in my Etsy Store

The red is bright in this - but not quite as bright as this shows. I altered it in Photoshop and got a pretty good approximation of the true colour, but it never seems to load up right - Oh well!

I did not use any true reds in the poppies, they are mainly a combination of Winsor and Newton scarlet (an orangey-red), yellow, permanent rose and alazarin crimson. In sunny areas I always use yellow underneath the red, as it always seems to make the reds 'pop'. Contrary to what logic tells you, I often find that red loses it's brightness if painting it on top of white.

Close-ups of the knife work