Backward Glance

Backward Glance  7 x 5 pastel

Day 4 of the 20 Minute Challenge. These are so much fun that I might not go back to "regular" painting... Put in a few more seconds on this one, mostly erasing some schmutz on the background. 

Frizzled Serama Pullet

Frizzled  Serama Pullet  7 x 5 pastel

20:04. I think these exotic chickens lend themselves to this challenge. They are forgiving in the drawing department, and seem to be happy as long as you tart them up with some bright colors.

The Serama breed originated in Malaysia and is the result of the selective cross breeding of many breeds of chickens. Their chesty, regal and confident beauty is a joy to behold and they have been described as the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dolly Parton of the Bantam chicken kingdom.

Here is my palette, which I have learned to select before the clock starts!

Tuesday

Tuesday  7 x 5 pastel

I am having a blast with this 20 minute challenge. I actually stopped at 17:28 for this one. You may wonder about the title— I couldn't think of one and then remembered today is Tuesday. Can't wait until Wednesday!

Molly 1

Molly  7 x 5 pastel

I am doing a challenge— a 20 min painting a day for 5 days. This one was 20:23.

It's really fun to do these kinds of challenges. Honestly, this painting was "good" at 16 mins, but the alarm had not gone off yet, so I fussed with it. I look forward to trying this again, maybe with a simpler object, like the ubiquitous pear. 

Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening  12 x 9 pastel

This was FUN! Our hub of the Vermont Pastel Society met yesterday. We watched a few videos and then painted a spring bouquet— either from life or a photo. I chose an image from a calendar of famous floral paintings. I don't remember what famous painting this was copied from. It certainly doesn't look like the original. 

I hope it's spring where you are, we have snow flurries... 

Sienna

Sienna  12 x 12 pastel

This gal was a bit of a struggle. She had a full head of curls that got wiped out the first time. I would love to do another cow‚ all purpley and cool. I wish I had stopped at the purple stage and saved it for a future painting and just started over for this one. That happens — a lot.

Cornwall

Cornwall 21 x 18 pastel

This gal came from far off in the field as I was taking pictures of her pals by the fence. She was clearly interested in being part of the photoshoot and was vogueing for me. 

This painting is larger than I usually paint, but she demanded to be upsized — and I had the perfect frame if she turned out well. 

If you are wondering about her name, she was in a field on West Street, Cornwall, Vermont. 

Progress shots:

And Cornwall in her frame