Category Archives: Painting Challenge

Day 2

Day 2, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 2, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

This is a Sansevieria Snake plant. The stems are round like a pencil. So different, and so interesting. Another WIP. Haha. Oh, that green! It’s not easy being green, and this green is monstrous. Ghastly. It’s Grinch with a hangover. Haha.

I started with a geometric stencil. If you look closely, you can see hints of that on the right. I painted some of those shapes solid, and some I only outlined. I added a couple more layers, and inadvertently buried most of that detail. Haha.

I added white marks for texture, wiped it off. Tried something else, that I can’t even remember, wiped that off too. Experimented with green pastel. Wiped that off as well.

This morning, I tried using the same stencil again, win an ink pad. That sort of worked. I started to soften it with one more layer and lifted the non-waterproof (apparently) ink. The good news is, I was able to clean the ink off completely. Haha.

The pot started as a whitewash. then terracotta. Next a rustic, scratchy blackish. Nothing felt right. Until I tried the blue I used on Day 1. Windsor Blue. Deep teal Blue.

I found this very scientific description. It made me laugh.

Definition of Windsor blue: a grayish purplish blue that is redder and paler than average delft and redder, lighter, and stronger than average navy blue.

After scanning the image, the obvious answer was simply to crop it.

Ah-ha! Postcard.

Day 2 cropped, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 2 cropped, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

February 30-Day Creative Gathering, Day 1

Day 1, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 1, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

Woo Whoo! Here we are again. I am so happy to hear that so many of you are as excited as I am. It’s going to be a fun, and productive month!

There is a variation of greens and blues in the background of this Moon Cactus. Layers of texture that are not showing well here. I will continue working on this. The stones need help and the head needs attention as well. I did not add spines. They are so tiny, and on the yellow , they look dark and sort of dirty. I may just add some white spines around the edges.

You can see some of the texture here.

Gesso Texture
Gesso Texture

I found a basting brush at the dollar store awhile back. Made use of it in the first layers. Additional layers were added with a brayer, and there are small splatters as well.

Basting Brush
Basting Brush

Happy Creating to you!

30-Day Creative Gathering Collage

I’m so glad we had a 30-day challenge! Whew! And I am so thankful I was able to participate and complete 30 daily paintings! I had serious doubts I would last the whole month. And with the extra work of organizing the Facebook group, I am definitely ready for a break. Haha.

I think it has been a great month! A quick one for sure. I plan to keep up the daily painting, after our out of town company has left. I have ideas I want to try. And I have 30 4 x 6’s ready to go. Haha. Also several paintings on canvas I need to finish. I do like the 8 x 8 size I worked with this month. Not too big, and not too small.

I’m pleased with all the paintings I completed this month. There were a few I tweaked. And a few more I need to make small changes to. There are only two that I think are duds. Days 25 and 29. But I do plan to practice those techniques more.

Below is a collage of viewer favorites, according to blog visits. I am not sure how accurate that is, as I had fewer visits to the blog than I usually had during one of Leslie’s challenges.

This collage shows my favorites. I worked with collage, and stencils. Acrylic, pencil and pen. Layering elements. Worked with watercolor, and favorite familiar themes. I’d love to know which ones you like best. And why.

So grateful to all of those that followed along, and shared encouraging words. Thank you for sharing your ideas on how to improve, or suggesting new tools and techniques. The challenge would be meaningless without our conversations.

Big high five to all the participating members. You created amazing work this month! For some of you, just starting again after a long hiatus was a major accomplishment. You each have your own success story. Own it! And share it in the group!

Congratulations everyone!