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

February 1, 2013

February Art Challenge

Wow. . it's already been a month since our last challenge. Pamela took this photo a while back and we decided to give it a go.

She uses these plastic masks with her students for projects with plaster. She applies vaseline to keep the plaster from sticking so that they can be reused.

She brought them home to wash and as they were drying she realized what a great photo it would make. I had to agree!

Lori McNee has some excellent tips on painting whites at this link. Have fun and send us your paintings! We always look forward to seeing how differently everyone handles the subject.

Cora Mendoza

January 1, 2013

January Art Challenge

Happy New Year!

We thought we'd start off our 2013 art challenges with a traditional subject. From what I understand apples have been the most used fruit in still life painting for centuries.

Your challenge is to set up a still life of your own. It's fun and good practice in composition. If you don't have an apple on hand any other fruit will do. As always you can use our photo if you prefer.

Have fun and we hope to see your work soon!