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 - 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

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 23

Lindiwe

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

NOT FOR SALE

Here is my 23nd painting in the 30 in 30 challenge. I took the photo of Lindiwe and I thought this would make a lovely painting. I often use photographs as a frame of reference or a source of inspiration. Portraits are not always that easy and sometimes I don't want to aim at a perfect likeness, but more of an idea of the person.  Sometimes I am surprised by the outcome.  If I know the person I often find that even if I change what is in the photo, I am still met with the actual person on my canvas/board.

I had a lot of fun with the colours in this painting, what I thought was unusual turned out right and I just love the way her skin tone developed.

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

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 22

Boy with White Cap

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

SOLD

Here is my 22nd painting in the 30 in 30 challenge. I started this painting before my last one but had to make a correction and so decided to leave it a day.  I am also not happy with the shirt. Sometimes painting the way it looks in the photo is not right, so I will most probably still change it.

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. 21

Mom

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

NOT FOR SALE

I started another painting but have to do corrections on it and tonight I was just not in the mood for it.  So I decided to do a quick painting of my Mom. Now I am sure that I could sit and fiddle with the painting and get more detail and probably overwork the piece, but that was not what I set out to do.  I am happy with the result. (Unfortunately I had to take the photo indoors with lights, so the photo is not the best)





So Mommy, you are No 21 in my 30 in 30 challenge! Love you lots! xxx

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. 20

The Farmer

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

After a weekend of painting like crazy and catching up I felt like doing something a little different.  This one was a lot of fun. My father visited the Farmers' market near Port Elizabeth and came across this farmer. He thought that this farmer would make an interesting subject for my 30 in 30.  The farmer agreed to have his photo taken and here you have it, my 20th painting.

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. 19

Little Angel

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

SOLD

Here is my 19th painting for the 30 in 30 challenge. 

A friend of mine sent me a photo of her late grandson to paint for this challenge. I've been working on this painting a little bit every day so that it would be just right.  This painting was painted in a very different way to the others. I worked in thin layers of paint to get the smooth finish.

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. 18

Charl

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

SOLD

Here is my 18th painting for the 30 in 30 challenge.  The gentleman in the painting ordered the portrait from me, so it has a home to go to already.  Yippee!

Painting every day is definitely a good way to improve your painting skills, something that I will try and keep up with in future.

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. 17

Harvey

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6") 

NOT FOR SALE

This is my 17th painting in the 30 in 30 challenge. I have printed out quite a few photographs that I would like to paint, and this is one of them.  This is my son who is now all of 21 (and a half).  He is my youngest and it is not easy to accept that he is all grown up.

This painting was nice to paint, it went fairly quickly and I am pleased with the result.  I find that I am getting used to working on the small size now. However, I probably need to buy some more fine brushes.

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

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 16

Self Portrait

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

It is Saturday and I am playing catch up with the challenge.  This one was quite challenging because of the small scale, but again, a lot of fun.

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

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 15

Jacques

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

 

Wow, we are halfway through the challenge. I can't believe it!

 

Tonight's painting went a lot easier.  I was going through all my photos and selected several to use for the next few days.  This one is of my son-in-law, Jacques, who is an loving husband and a patient and loving father.  I took the photo of the painting by desk lamp so the colours aren't quite right.

 

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. 14

Little Spider Girl

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

 

I almost named this painting 'Exhaustion' because that is how I feel right now, exhausted.  This painting is clearly unfinished (in my eyes), but I was tired and I knew that if I worked on it anymore I would just mess it up. So in the spirit of the '30 paintings in 30 days' challenge, I am posting my painting as it is.  

 

This painting is of my little granddaughter, Leila, in one of her favourite outfits, her Spiderman suit.

Working full time and doing this challenge is a tougher that I could have imagined, but I love it!  I could have chosen an easier theme for myself, but then there would've been no challenge in it for me.  So I am the maker of my own punishment.  But I am enjoying it every step of the way.

I will post this painting again later when it is completed.

 

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 13

Lukas the Driver

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

No13 of my 30 paintings in 30 days. Gosh, are we really this far into the challenge already?  It is definitely a personal challenge more than anything else.  Each painting brings with it new challenges, and there is no way that I can not feel like painting. It is funny how knowing that I have to paint gets me going.

I think this is an excellent project and even though I work full time and have to use my spare time to take part, it is worth every brush stroke.

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - No. 12

The Drummer

Acrylic on board

15x15cm (6x6")

Wow, so much light! I have never done a painting with so much light before. It is something different. That is what I like about this challenge, I am finding different types of portraits to do and I am loving it. It is going to be interesting at the end of the 30 day challenge to see how my painting style has been affected.

To find out more about the 30 in 30 challenge please visit http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com