by Bethany | January 28, 2019
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Hi everyone! I have a new time-lapse over on my Youtube channel! This one warmed me up as it is full of color, light, and magic! The reference photo was taken near my home and although it gave me a kernel of inspiration, the painting is so much different than what I captured. My favorite thing to do with references is to use them to spark an idea and then fly and go my own direction. If you’d like to join in over on my Patreon page, I have a longer and more detailed video with voice instructions included! You can click the button below or right here.
When painting new pieces, I don’t always have all the pastels chosen before I begin. (Actually, I never do if I’m being honest!). I like to do small studies before I go larger and this piece was just that…a study. Experimenting with color and values, how they affect others near them, and using painterly marks are always areas I like to work on and this piece was a nice simple composition for experimentation.
I usually have a general idea (Hmm..let’s make the tree pink and blue! Let’s limit the greens here! What would happen if I did this…?) when I begin and then I slowly build up my layers, trying very hard to bring color harmony and balance to a piece. These color studies and practice paintings are a good warmup for the day and they really get the creative juices flowing! One little mark can lead to further inspiration in the next painting and then the next. A study may not lead to a larger piece or to an exhibit submission or gallery. What is does lead to is further practice in advancing your skills and knowledge of the medium!
Here’s to little studies!
xoxo,
Bethany
P.S. Don’t forget about the giveaway and entering by Wednesday!!! Check it out here to enter to win an 18 piece set of beautiful Richeson pastels (this one here) and also the AMAZING book by Ian Roberts – Creative Authenticity! Winner announced on Wednesday!
