August - part 1

For some reason I found this challenge from Paint and Draw together very eery. Lela had composed the picture from three different references.

I tried to start the painting several times, but alas no. So for the first time I thought I would try it as an abstract, and for me it works, (but I wouldn't want to do all challenges abstract).

The pigs, I am calling this  - "It's stopped raining can we play out ?" It is the next in the series of around the farm.

July Challenges

Only two challenges came this month. The milkmaid by Vermeer was an interesting one to paint. It was the challenge set by A Day Not Wasted.

This challenge was set by Paint and Draw together. I called it ...This year, next year sometime, never......

I challenged myself with this reference. Malcolm and I had been to Italy for ten days. One trip was by boat to Amalfi, a town built into the cliffsides, the scenery was stunning and very dramatic.
As yet I have not found the reference I want for my pigs and chickens, so they are still to come.

May Challenges

 The challenges were slow coming this month so I challenged myself. I made up this herd of Jerseys, there is something quite beautiful about these cows, so here is how I attempted to put them on canvas.

Paint and Draw Together put this wonderful challenge up - lights and darks and dissapearing edges.

 I couldn't resist and called mine  " yummy biscuits"

 A Day Not Wasted posted quite late - A Provencal Building.

There are a lot of abandoned buildings in the Provence countryside, but I thought bring in a little life.

March - April

This month started with Lent  and then Easter, so lots of distractions and challenges were late coming. So I thought I would find a challenge of my own  --- Sheep.

The first challenge was this butterfly, Paint and Draw Together.

 Fragile, so I thought water colour, but later i painted another version in oils

Running out of time with A Day Not Wasted I painted a watercolour and pen version of the Irish Headland. I was not at all pleased with the result - it was  rushed  and not  worthy of a beautiful scene.

There are two new challenges to come  -  a stunning sunrise, and some spring crocus ,but they may very well go into next month, I am not sure yet.

January - February 2013

The challenges this month went over to February and were not as many as usual. However a friend asked if I could paint a scene from Tuscany where she spends time in the summer. I was very grateful to do so. While the weather was cold and dull here I was enjoying the Tuscan sunshine that the picture exuded.

I enjoy still life pictures, but had to add a little extra.

We have been to Roussillon several times over the last few years and this challenge was very enjoyable. However, I can't believe how pale I made the wall of the Marie, it should have been really bright. I may work on it and bring it up to the more vibrant tone 

it should be.

This is the ammended painting - more colour, less insipid.

December 2012

This is the last post of the year. There are fewer challenge sites at the moment, so maybe I will be able to spend a little more time on the challenges that come up.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, looking forward to 2013 and all that it brings.

November challenges

This first challenge was from Paint and Draw Together. I painted it in oils. The reference was rather dark and I tried to work on disappearing edges. Alas I think it lost some of it's vibrancy, although this was probably my favourite this month.

This was the first challenge this month from Studio Atelier Still Life. Painted in acrylics.

A Day Not Wasted posted this Eagle owl, I just had to work this one in pastels. The only thing I would change would be a bigger mouse!

The last challenge this month was another Studio Atelier, of Clear Water Creek, at first I felt it was a bit overwhelming, but as I got into it I rather liked it. I do not work very often on landscapes but I began to feel quite comfortable with this as I worked in oils.