Day 5 - 60 minutes or less daily artwork

I am really starting to enjoy my commitment to drawing something every day. I started this drawing and it really took off. I like where this is going, and I find that my ideas for the children's story that I am planning are becoming clearer through drawing.

Day 4 - 60 minutes or less daily artwork

Not much to show today. But, in keeping with my idea that this is an exercise to help me towards illustrating better, this works. Two cockatoos. I wonder what he is saying to her.

Day 3 - 60 minutes or less daily artwork

I had no idea where I was going with this drawing. I started with the little girl and it went on from there. Good practice again for illustrating.

Day 2 - 60 minutes or less daily artwork

Day 2 and my found myself drawing a cat on a little card. I painted it with gouache and lined it with pen. This is a cat that I have in mind for a children's story I am putting together for my granddaughter. The more I draw it, the easier it will get.

I ended up drawing this face in pencil on another piece of card. I am always drawing faces in pencil. Unless it's something very different, I am going to try not get too caught up in drawing faces for this challenge.

Day 1 - 60 minutes or less daily artwork

I am absolutely horrified when I see how long it's been since I last posted anything. That means that it has been ages since I painted or drew. In the last week or so I have been trying to draw or doodle a bit more. That brought about the idea to challenge myself for 30 days.

I must draw or paint something every day for a month. Nothing serious, even a little scribble if that is all I have time for. But I must create something... and it must not take longer than 60 minutes.

Life keeps us busy, and even though my daily job as layout artist is in it's own way creative, it is not art.

For the challenge my artworks will consist of drawings or little gouache paintings and there might even be some digital work. The reason being that it is easy to do in between my other work.  And I need to re-ignite my imagination.

So here is my piece for Day 1. Coffee and a doughnut. - Gouache on water-colour paper.

Getting back to the business of painting

The worst thing any artist can do is to stay away from the paint and brushes. The communication flow between brain and canvas becomes broken and it takes a while to get that flow going again.

Recently I saw a photograph of an old Damara man from Damaraland, Namibia, in a photography group on facebook, taken by photographer, Jessie Vermeulen. I took one look at the photo and knew I had to paint it. So I messaged her and got her permission to use the photo.

This was just what I needed to get started again.

Because of this break in communication, it is taking me longer than it should to finish this painting, but slow work is better than no work at all.

Almost there! I just need to finish the mouth and add the finer highlights.

The art behind the art

Somebody once said to me "you're so lucky you can draw". I disagree, it's not luck, it's the fact that I've been drawing since I can remember. The more you draw, the better you get. I took art at High School and studied art after that. If I had the time, I would paint more. But even when I'm not painting, I'm doodling and drawing in sketchbooks and even in notebooks. If you find yourself drawing or doodling all the time then you just need to keep at it and you will get better.

I call it my play time, when I grab pens, pencils or pencil crayons and just draw, doodle and colour. That's when I let my mind go and just have fun. Through playing, I get ideas and there is something really therapeutic in the feel and sound of the pencil rhythmically moving along the surface of the paper. A sketchbook is not as threatening as the big white canvas, so ideas flow freely.

I have several sketchbooks, two are small enough to carry with me if I want. I will try out ideas, new pens and different drawing styles. I can be as silly as I want. I have another favourite sketchbook, it is an A4 spiral bound book with textured paper and I will often do my pen and pencil sketches in it. Sometimes I will start a drawing, get halfway and just leave it like that. So if you want to draw, then draw and don't worry about mistakes, or feeling "not good enough". You don't have to share them with anyone, just enjoy yourself and have fun.

Cat portrait in pen

It has been a good weekend. I have done quite a bit of drawing. Something I've needed to do for a long time. When I moved from the Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg 3 years ago, I was 'adopted' by a big ginger tom cat named Nugget. I found out who he actually belonged to, but he wanted to live with me. I officially adopted him from his original owner last year. I have taken hundreds of photos of Nugget, and today I completed this portrait of him using coloured ballpoint pens.

This year I adopted a young abandoned female cat (Abby), so now I have two beautiful cats to keep me company.

Breaking through creative block

It has been quite a while since I've done any drawing or painting. 2015 started with me moving into a new home, then a whole lot of things kept me away from my pens, pencils and paint. My day job is doing magazine layout and design, it is a fantastic creative outlet and I currently work on three magazines.Two are published monthly and one is published every two months.

But the yearning to draw or paint is strong, and I finally sat down last night and picked up my sketchbook and coloured ballpoint pens and started drawing.

Drawing with ballpoint pens offers quite a challenge, there is no blending, no erasing, no way of correcting. Once that line is on the paper, it is there to stay. As far back as I can remember, I have been drawing faces. Drawing faces from imagination is fun, I don't always get the proportions right, and I often battle with the nose, but the point is just to draw. I find drawing from the imagination to be very therapeutic and relaxing. It is also a good way to break through my creative block.

A change in direction

For quite a while now I have been wanting to move my painting into a different direction, one that I loved as an art student; figure studies. I've had this one planned for quite a while now, and I finally got to start it recently.

I started by laying down the tonal values first and you can see the progress below.  It is quite challenging but it is slowly getting there. I will post more photos as I do some more work on it.

Putting pen to paper

Sometimes it is nice to take a break from painting and just draw without any plan in mind.  The drawing above is done in my sketchbook with ball point pens, gel pens and highlighters. And it started off as a weird doodle. I usually draw like this when I am sick or unable to sleep, and while watching TV.  They are a wonderful distraction from everything around me.

I had so much fun doing the hair in the above drawing and that led to the doodle below. I think I got a bit carried away, but it was so much fun. This one was done with my sharpies.

Drawing doodles is almost like a form of meditation, I find that I get ideas for other drawings and paintings while doing these doodles.  

Lady with the Blue Wrap

Lady with the Blue Wrap

Acrylic on Masonite

400 x 600mm

NOT FOR SALE

It has been a while since I posted.  After painting the portraits for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days project, I decided to tackle something a little different to my usual work and I really enjoyed it.  The trick about painting something like this is that you need a model to work from.  As an everyday person who is also an artist, it is not that easy to find someone to model for you.  As an art student I was lucky enough to do life drawing and we had models who would pose for us.

This painting has reminded me how I loved figure drawing and painting.  So keep watching this space, I am going to venture into this field a bit more.

I almost forgot to share the collage below.  It shows the painting through the different stages from beginning to end.

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Summary

30 Paintings in 30 Days Collage

I remember starting this challenge at the beginning of January, wondering if I would be able to paint 30 paintings. I am a procrastinator and often put off what I need to do.  Working full time and painting in my spare time can be difficult, so this was a challenge that would test me in ways I had yet to encounter.

I chose the toughest subject for this kind of challenge. Portraits!! Now that it is over, I am glad I did. I can see improvement in my work and it has been very rewarding to see all these faces come to life on the little 6x6" boards.  Painting on this small size was a challenge but I have adapted and will certainly be doing more paintings on this size board.

Thank you so much to Leslie Saeta for creating this platform for artists from all over the world. I have also started listening to her weekly online radio show, you can listen to her shows here at www.blogtalkradio.com/artistshelpingartists.  If you want to save the audio file, look for the download link just below the player. She gives excellent advice to artists on many issues.

One thing I have learned is that as artists, we are all so different in our mediums, styles and subject choices, yet most of us have the same fears when it comes to our work. The best thing an artist can do is to keep on painting and creating. Your own style will start to show through the more you work.  Don't try and paint like somebody else, just paint!

Some people have asked me what am I going to do now that the challenge is over.  Well, carry on painting of course! But first I need to go grocery shopping, and give my house a good clean. Then I will work on some orders that I got through this challenge.

Please go and have a look at the collages of all the other artists who took part in the 30 in 30 challenge, Looking back at thirty paintings

Until next time
                Vanessa xx

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 30

Daphne

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

SOLD

Finally my No.30 is complete.  It has been quite an amazing journey and it is now over.

No.30 is my late Aunty Daphne who was also an artist and she was very good at painting flowers in watercolour. She had a delicate painting style.  She is still missed by all her family!

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 29

The Hotdog Man

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

This was supposed to be my No.30 but I need to tweak my last painting, so this one has jumped the gun a bit.

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 28

The Waitress

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

The waitress is my 28th painting in the 30 in 30 challenge.  I cannot believe that we have come this far. This has been an awesome experience so far.


This painting allowed me to have some fun with warm colours. Using yellow as the background colour is certainly a first for me. Loads of fun!

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 27

Janine

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

SOLD

I have painted my youngest sister for my 27th painting in the 30 in 30 challenge. I might need to tweak one or two little things but my eyes would no longer focus on the small details.  I was also afraid that I might mess it up right now if I fiddle too much. Trying to paint detail on a 15 x 15cm board is not that easy, but I have grown to love painting on this small scale.

Janine is a very creative woman and loves decorating her home with things that she has created herself.  She loves to bake for her family and is a really great wife and mother. She has her own blog http://inspiringmakes.blogspot.com/. Go and have a look for yourself.

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 26

 

The Eccentric

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

I like to try and see how quickly I can paint a likeness of somebody, so every now and then I try one of these.  I find that I am getting better at it now.  I scratched through all my photos that could make nice paintings and saved them on my tablet for future reference.  This was one of them and I must say that I am happy with the outcome.

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 25

Self Portrait - Serious

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

NOT FOR SALE

So for No. 25 I have another self portrait.  I always used to print out the photos that I wanted to paint, but I have moved with the times and I now own a lovely Samsung Galaxy Tablet with a 10" screen and it has made my life so much easier.  I wanted to do something different today, so I took a photo of myself, with the tablet, and Voila!  This is so much fun!

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 24

Smiling Boy

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

SOLD

Here is my 24th painting in the 30 in 30 challenge. This young boy is the little brother of the boy in the white cap who I painted a few days ago.  I hope that his mom will be happy with this little painting.

This post is backdated for the purpose of the 30 in 30 challenge.

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge and see all the wonderful paintings by artists from all around the world, please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com