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Practice Practice Practice


Last night, The Princess (pictured above) and I set up Tootsie Roll still lifes and did some 10 minute paintings.

This is a concept I first learned in college. Back then we called them gesture studies. They were charcoal sketches done with 10/15/30 second live model poses. It was the perfect warm up to larger drawings and helped me better understand the principles of movement and balance.

In painting classes I also did my share of thumbnail sketches - small studies at 4-5 minutes each of a still life setup, with the object placement or lighting shifted in each. These are a great way to figure out problems BEFORE you get to the big painting.

Also key - working quickly takes the pressure off making something perfect from the get-go and allows you to focus instead on capturing the essence of your subject.

I was reminded of the value of this exercise when theDaily Paintworks' challenge (a few weeks back) was 10 Minute Paintings. I've been meaning to paint me some 10 minute pieces ever since.

The Princess and I had so much fun that we're repeating the exercise again tonight. This time with Cadbury eggs and breaks for homemade chocolate mousse.

What should we paint tomorrow night?

Thanks in advance for sharing my artwork with your friends and family,
Kim
(4) 10 Minute Paintings done on an 11" x 14" canvaspanel -
the photo's a little dark due to our glum and gloomy day.
10 Minute Tootsies

I love painting Tootsie Rolls - each one is uniquely shaped and wrapped. When spotlit they take on a special character.

Do you have a similar sweet tooth? I've got several Tootsie Roll and candy-themed paintings available for purchase.

I'm open to painting commissioned candies, too - one of the perks of painting candy is getting to eat the setup when the painting is done! Let me know if you want to see something special.

And if you are interested in the above 11" x 14" study ($150), shoot me an email.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  1. martinealison11:59 PM

    Merci pour ce partage... Il est vrai que plus vite on travaille on départ, plus le poignet se délie et les automatismes aussi, ainsi nous allons à l'essentiel...
    Bravo Princesse.
    Bisous à vous

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kimberly Kelly Santini9:52 AM

    Martine, merci, merci, merci!! :)

    ReplyDelete

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