Different Strokes Portrait Challenge

This was the mystery artist that I was to paint as part of the DSDF year end challenge. Those who wanted to participate sent in a photo of themselves, and in return, you received one in which to paint. A swap. It turns out that my mystery artist is:   Rajalekshmy Usha.  Her portrait of me is on her blog.

 This is the first portrait I have done as I am new to art and painting,  and struggled with the assignment.  I tried 3 other times and was very frustrated at the results even this final version.  It wasn't for lack of trying!   Only by trying new things will I improve.  I learned a lot from the exercise, one being that portraits are very difficult to paint.  It is easy for the features to get away from you,  but I loved the challenge and the portraits that were submitted were fantastic.  Be sure to take a look

On the Way Home

This is the latest installment from Different Stokes challenge.  The original photo that Karin provided is below.  I had trouble with trying to get all three people working so small as I was working 6 x 6,  so I started over and figured I would try only one person, as this is only the 3rd person I have ever attempted to paint.  The original was so dark, on the one figure, so I brightened it up when I used only one person.

My Neighbor Rocks

Rob, our neighbor is a "peach" as my mother would say.  He is very handy with power tools.  He drove me to Home Depot to pick up full size sheets of hardboard with his truck.  After I did three coats of gesso on them in the garage, he and his Dad who was visiting took the sheets and cut them for me on his table saw.

I now have many assorted sizes of panels on which to paint.  It saved me loads of cash, if I had to buy them, and the cutting job was superb!

I should have taken a picture of the men at work but I totally forgot.

But I am so grateful for the help.  Thanks again Rob!

City Rooftops

This is the latest challenge from differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/
Wished I had some good "graffiti" to paint on the side of the building.

Mr. Carrot

One of our Westies, Greta has a fondness for her Mr. Carrot.  It is the only toy she plays with.  We have numerous ones that we stock up on so as not to be without.  It squeaks and she had a habit of playing with it in the middle of the night.  We have a defective one, that we call Quiet Carrot that we try to remember to put it out at night.

This one was fun to paint.  It went quite fast, and looks like her.  I am starting one of our other westie, Gus.

Holiday Spirit

Thought I would try to get something that could be for Christmas. This one I tried to paint more painterly and was happy with the results. The present painting was my other attempt

First Attempt at Outdoor Plein Air

I made my first attempt doing Plein Air painting when Tom and I were on vacation.  We went to Mustang Island State Park, which is on Padre Island Texas.

I had spent the better part of the previous weekend trying to rig up my gear. I didn't want to spend much money as not sure if I would like it. I bought a little wood paint box at Aaron Brothers for 7.00 to use as my pochade box. I followed excellent instructions found on the web as to mounting on my tripod and rigging up what I had

Of course, we discovered that the bag of supplies weighed too much so next time will try to pack lighter.It was really sunny and windy, and I got tired standing the entire time. 

This is the photo of the scene and the finished quick study. I didn't like how the painting turned out, it seemed to get worse as I painted. But it was fun, and will definitely try it again.

Tasty Treats

This is for the weekly challenge of Different Strokes Blog

Did it a second time, as I wasn't happy with my first attempt with frosting.

Familiar Streets

Streets of San Francisco from a photo on canvas.  Part of the challenge for Different Strokes Blog.  First attempt at a city scene.

No Place Like Home

This is my husbands childhood home in Connecticut.   It is painted on a 6 x 6 panel.  Hard to work so small, and wanted it to be "painterly".  Not sure if I like the way it turned out.

Waiting Outside

This was my first submittal to the blog Different Strokes Blog

It is 6 x 8 on canvas.  I haven't painted a person before and so I was pleased it didn't  end up looking like an alien as the subject. 

Eat Your Vegetables

I was too late to post this on the blog Different Strokes Blog but I did use the posted challenge photo for this painting. It is 6 x 6 on panel.

Cherry Delight

6 x 6 on panel from a photo.  I like the way this turned out.  I think I really like the smooth surface to work with

Juicy

Oil on canvas panel from a photo.  Size 4 x 6

Summer Snack

Oil on board, 6 x 6 from a photo.

Berries

Strawberries from a photo on board.

Pepper Practice 2

Another pepper practice on board 4 x 4.