Category Archives: Painting Challenge

30-Day Creative Gathering February 2021, Days 29 & 30

Day 30, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 30, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Tonight I tried a new watercolor paper. I was gifted several blank postcards. FUN! Thank you, Christine Brooks! Christine sent me three different types, 2 are etcher, and one is Strathmore.

I usually use cold-pressed paper, so I started with the hot press. I worked with lots of water on the background above, and it held up. It did curl while drying, but the paper was easily curved back to flat. Blending was not great. In the flowers above, I used the blending brush in Photoshop to soften some of the edges. In the cactus below, you can clearly see the paint did not move well. Still, I do think the paper is decent. For postcards, I think it works well. It would probably handle sketching nicely.

Day 29, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 29, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

I fell behind in the final days, and postcards were the perfect way to catch up quickly. More for fun, than fine. Haha.

Tomorrow I will share my collage of the 30 pieces painted this month. In a few days, I will share a collection of stunning works created by the artists who participated in this month’s creative challenge.

You won’t want to miss it!

Days 27 & 28 of 30

Day 27, 8 x 8 Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 27, 8 x 8 Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Well. So much for that. I usually try to end the painting challenge on a high note. Not looking good. I have been distracted and staying up much to late. I mean really late. 4 am late. I just can’t get out of the routine. LOL.

The painting above, is a disaster. Haha. 🙂 I tried to finish the color theme. Keep my group of 3’s going. But I tried six times… and finally just thought to lay the color down. But even THAT did not work. Haha. So there it is. #3, moving on.

I did this two days ago, and oddly enough. it sort of looks like our sky today. There is a fire to the north of us. Probably a controlled burn. Haven’t found a report on it yet. There is blue sky, and a swath of reddish-gray haze hanging over Mingus. It doesn’t even really show up in a photo. But it is there.

Smoke over Mingus 3-2-21, SMD.
Smoke over Mingus 3-2-21, SMD.

I had purchased a pack of colored pens at, you guessed it, Dollar Tree. Found them and decided to play. did some silly sketches, and scribbled out a vase and some blooms. When I added watercolor, it really softened the marks. I went back over the blooms but left the vase alone.

Just a quick little sketch. After a long stressful day, it really calmed me to sit and watch color move.

Day 27, 5 x 7 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 27, 5 x 7 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Haha. I was looking for a quote on making bad art and ran across this site. Looks like fun. I will go through it more next month. When I am not quite so busy. I still need to catch up, 2 more pieces. Thought you might get a kick out of it.

The best reason to paint
is that there is no reason to paint.
Keith Haring

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.
Dr. Seuss

Days 25 & 26 Of February’s 30

Day 25, Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 25, Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

The moon was rising over Mingus while I worked. I think somehow it found its way to the paper. That was not a conscious decision. I just felt it needed some brightness.

While editing, I thought to tone down the Tawny. The pink. Does it look pink to you too? Tawny is listed as a light brown to brownish-orange color. This is the mid-value of the color. You may not notice a difference. But I’d be curious to know which you prefer.

Day 25, altered, Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 25, altered, Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

I am not sure this next one is finished. It needs something. I will continue with it. Suggestions are always welcome.

Day 26, Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 26, Acrylic on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Beautiful end to the day!

Peeking Over Mingus. SMD 2021
Peeking Over Mingus. SMD 2021
Mingus Moon High. SMD 2021
Mingus Moon High. SMD 2021
Mingus Moon Rising. SMD 2021
Mingus Moon Rising. SMD 2021