Cloud Study #9

~ Cloud Study #9 ~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

I was wondering if I would become bored with just painting clouds after 5 or 6. I thrilled to say that I'm thouroughly loving this study and look forward to my next one.  

I can see some growth from my first one I painted, but not enough growth in my painting skills to stop now.

My next few cloud studies will be in one post instead of a blog post for each study … I think we will all be happy about that decision. :-)

Cloud Study #8

~ Cloud Study #8~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

Cloud Study #7 & Gesso-ing watercolor paper

~ Cloud Study #7~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

………

On another note …

Awhile back, Michael Chesley Johnson had a blog post about preparing his panels.  Cleaning any oil off of the panels first, then a layer of PVA size, 2 layers of gesso, then a thin layer of Acrylic Matte Medium to help the gesso from being quite so absorbent.  

Thats one thing I don't like about the gessoed paper to paint on.  Its way too absorbent to my liking, and since I happened to have a jar of Matte Medium I couldn't wait to give it a try on top of my already gessoed watercolor paper.  Its perfect!  I love the way my brush handles on the paper now.

If gesso on paper is too absorbent for you also, you might enjoy giving this method a try.

Cloud Study #6

~ Cloud Study #6~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

With each cloud study I'm recognizing that I am feeling more confidence in my brush work. I still have a long way to go, but, its nice to see some growth.

Cloud Study #5

~ Cloud Study #5 ~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

This was a pure pleasure to work on.  I tried to stay focused on the task at hand and as a result I saw the shapes of clouds take place. This is encouraging and I look forward to working on #6.

Cloud Study #3 and #4

~  Cloud Study #3 ~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

~  Cloud Study #4 ~

4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

When I had finished with these two studies I was a little disappointed with myself.  I had forgot all about what I wanted to learn with these studies, *sigh.

I wish I would have started out with thinner darks and as my values become lighter my paint would become thicker. This isn't how I approached either of these studies.  But, these are studies and I have taken note … hopefully I have learned.

Cloud Study #2

~ Cloud Study #2 ~
4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"

I'm enjoying this series so far.  I do think this is going to finally give me more confident brush handling. It may not come as fast as I'd like, but with practice I think I can accomplish my goals.

I did, during most of this study, remember to pay attention to my brushstrokes, but looking back on it I can see I need to work on direction of my brush strokes to help form the object.

A new plan ...

Last year in evaluating my work I realized I needed a refresher class with some of the basics.  I am a big fan of  Elizabeth Floyd's work and found the 4 week class she was offering a perfect solution to my art needs.

This year I've decided that my newest art goal is to work hard at better brush handling as well as work on gaining more confident brush strokes.

In following Elizabeth's work she has been sharing some beautiful 'cloudscapes'.  Small works full of confident bold brush handling and in seeing her small cloudscapes I realized that would be a great subject to help me with my goals. What better way to achieve my new goals than to pick a subject and paint it until your eyes become crossed, right?  Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but, for awhile I am going to paint and repaint the same subject.  Clouds. Thats right, clouds.  

Although each cloud is different the subject will be the same.   I will look through my photos starting there … working on one after another.  Looking for different colors and values as I paint … remembering to paint with confidence.

I hope you will stick with me as I start this series of cloud studies.  I promise to try hard on my goals and to get better as I work on this series  I hope you will share your thoughts on the studies as I post them.

Below Cloud Study #1:

~ Cloud Study #1 ~

~ Cloud Study #1 ~
4" x 6", oil on Gessoed watercolor paper 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"