shoot and paint art challenge

May 1, 2013

May Art Challenge

Finding a subject to paint can at times be the thing that holds you back from painting. I've had more experience with this than I care to remember.

The beauty of still life painting is that there's always something right in front of you.
The challenge this month is to grab an object that's nearby and paint it. It could be right in front of you on your desk or in the frig but don't over think it.
~ Ria

By the way . . have you checked out the 'where we are' link? Contributors to our challenge covers 4 continents!

April 1, 2013

April Art Challenge

by Ria Hills

This month's challenge is to paint glass. It can be a drinking glass, a vase, a window.
Painting the reflection in glass can be quite a challenge if you try to capture every detail (not that there's anything wrong with being challenged). I find it's always best to focus on the shapes. Move your glass around in the light to get the reflections that appeal to you.

Hint: If there's too much going on in the way of reflection's try placing your glass in front of a solid background. Happy painting!

March 1, 2013

March Art Challenge

Spring will be here soon in New England! The weather may not be much of an indicator but business marketing is.

My husband gave me a surprise bouquet of flowers yesterday only because they had them in the drug store of all places. It still made me smile!

The petunias are the photo from my garden last spring.

Your challenge this month: Paint your favorite spring bloom or use our photo.

Note: If you want to participate in any of our past challenges please feel free. There are no time restrictions. Just send me an image of your painting and I'll post it.

~ Ria

Join Us!

Who are we? Ria Hills and Pamela White Murphy. We are 2 artists living in Massachusetts. For inspiration we decided to have a painting challenge based on our photos each month. Of course it didn't stop there. This blog came next and then we decided to invite other artists to join in. The more the merrier!

On the first of every month we will post a new photo. You may use Shoot and Paint's photo or one of your own of a similar subject for your painting.

Paint you own interpretation, change colors, go abstract, add an element . . allow the photo to inspire you. Just stay within the boundaries of the subject and have fun!

To download the photo of the month right click it and save to your hard drive.

P.S. You don't need to be on time to submit for a challenge.

Scroll down for specifics on submitting your painting.

The Rules

* Only hand painted or hand drawn works will be accepted.

* All files must be in jpg format

* Once you complete the painting please email it's image as an attachment to me at rh@riahills.com

* Have the subject line of your email read as follows: "Shoot and Paint challenge"

* To maintain a clean look at Shoot and Paint all images must be well cropped with the largest side measuring no more than 700 pixels.
* Be sure to include your full name and if you have a blog, website or a page on another site include the address so we can link your painting to it.

* Artists may submit up to 2 paintings per challenge

* HAVE FUN!

* Want to submit to a prior month? No problem . . . just send us the month and year along with the image and we'll post it.

This monthly challenge is open to all artists regardless of experience or level.