Tuesday, January 8, 2013

January Work


Ahhhhh, back to the studio after weeks of absence.  December duties called, and by the time  January rolled around and the brushes could be picked up again, I felt quite rusty.  Here are some examples of exercises I did to warm up again.  

A variety of studies: some sketches of winter scenes, color charts, playing with paint to remember color combinations, and some ideas from Maggie Latham's studio blog to get the wheels turning.  The most important thing is to just get the brush moving, even if you have no idea what you want to do or where to start.  It's only paper and paint!

Decided to try some snow covered teasels; something I attempted when I very first started painting in earnest a few years ago.  It went pretty badly back then, but I really love them and I've learned a lot since that time, so am giving it another go!  I took pictures, did sketches, painted color charts and small  studies.  If anybody wonders "how long" does it take for an artist to do a painting, these are some examples of what goes on behind the work.

 First attempt at a finished painting.  Better than my first tries, but I will try some more as my little color studies that didn't mean anything are looser and more innocent somehow.  Luckily this winter has provided some gorgeous snow and beautiful scenery to keep practicing and painting!

13 comments:

Jean Canavan said...

I know what you mean about being rusty, Christy! Time to get back at it! I love your finished teasels! Beautiful wintery feel! They always make me think of Skaneateles!

Vandy said...

Aren't Maggie's colour exercises brilliant? I've got some of them queued up for when I have some more studio time.

I love your winter teasels, Christy. They feel brilliantly spikey

Anonymous said...

Hi Christy, I couldn't believe my eyes when I popped over to your blog! Looks like you have been having a lot of fun...so glad you (and Vandy) are enjoying my January series about colour. I don't know why it is, but as soon as we want to produce a 'finished' painting....we get stuck again (lol)...I'm the same way too sometimes. I love your teasels, too.

christy lemp said...

Thanks Jean! I can't wait to do some more. Hope all is well at Two Twelve!

christy lemp said...

Thanks Vandy!
Maggie always gets me thinking! Honestly, sometimes I'm just frozen with where to start and she gets me going again.

christy lemp said...

Maggie, sometimes I don't know where to start and then you post one of your generous tutorials to get me going! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your inspirations!

Catharina Engberg said...

What would we do without all the inspiration from all our blogfriends! I know I need them all!
By the way; I like your painting too. So fresh with the use of a small palett. Nice looking.

Debbie Nolan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Christy - messed up my message - trying it again. Love your teasels. I too know what you mean about getting the brush moving. The month of December doesn't let one do much painting. Looks like your brush is moving well. Happy painting!

christy lemp said...

Thanks Catharina; I do love the way all artists inspire each other. Truly amazing how unique everyone is!

christy lemp said...

Hi Debbie, thank you. We do have to prioritize in December don't we? Have a happy January!

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Looks like you have been having fun with Maggie´s tutorial. I have been doing it too but have not posted any as of yet. I love your teasels!

christy lemp said...

Thanks Cynthia and nice to meet you here. I don't know why I'm fascinated with these prickly things!