South of North Studio: Blue Day II

Blue Day
oil on canvas 6x6
Carol Horzempa
Sold

I decided to paint from the same photo that I used for a painting I did two years ago called "Blue Day." I wanted to experiment with the "one color per stroke" method in this painting. I have found myself painting this way ever since I entered Carol Marine's "One Color per Stroke Challenge" on the Daily Paintworks website.

I am really hooked on this method of painting! You have to think about values and color before each stroke but it's fun and I find my paintings look fresher. Of course I did break a couple of rules by using a smaller brush in places and forgetting to squint.

When I took the photo of Shawna, she was laid up with a torn dewclaw and had to spend the day indoors with a bandage on her leg. She looked so sad and worried in the photo that I just couldn't resist painting her the first time and a second time with a little thicker paint.

This is the second painting I've entered in Carol Marine's challenge. Be sure to check the over 200 entries here.

15 comments:

Linda PoppleApril 4, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Great job with one color per stroke! You captured a pitiful look on Shawna and beautifully painted blanket. Well done!
KarlaApril 4, 2011 at 6:38 PM
Very nice!
Angela ElledgeApril 4, 2011 at 7:56 PM
Oh, how wonderful, love that little bit of orange peeking through along Shawna's ear and that orange swipe in the corner of her eye, so beautiful and very well done. I still have not tried this challenge, but want to, hopefully one day.
Ann RogersApril 4, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Awwww, how precious that you have captured Shawna's mood. Love this, Carol!
Carrie GriesemerApril 4, 2011 at 9:30 PM
This looks great--again! I love the texture in the quilt and Shawna's sweet expression.
cissyApril 5, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Carol,this is so great. The colors are fresh and lively and the expression just wonderful, not to forget the great composition! You are really on a winning streak!
Art with LizApril 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM
Oh he does look so sad! Your doggy portraits are beautiful. I saw this 'one colour per stroke' - must try it.
Lorraine ShirkusApril 5, 2011 at 6:22 PM
A very engaging painting and beautifully painted . . . you really capture Shawna's personality and emotional mood.
Dana CooperApril 6, 2011 at 9:45 PM
The one color one stroke is really working for you Carol, it's beautiful!
dominique eichiApril 7, 2011 at 12:31 AM
Your talent is such a breath of fresh air for all of us to enjoy. I'm so glad you painted her again because every time she is in one of your painting Love come out of it so strongly. BEAUTIFUL ( i like this technique you did too )
Carol DeMumbrumApril 7, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Love your puppy paintings! You are doing great with the one color per stroke method! I am also trying to implement it, but it is easy to go back to old ways. Such a wonderful expression on her face.
Bev BorenApril 11, 2011 at 7:16 PM
What a great piece...so expressive! I love it!
Edward BurtonApril 18, 2011 at 8:35 PM
Love the paintings of Shawna, Carol - beautiful job.
Vern SchwarzApril 21, 2011 at 9:11 AM
This painting is wonderful Carol. It's great to try a new technique that works for you and gets you excited.
Mikko TyllinenJune 26, 2011 at 8:02 AM
awww so cute Fantastic painting!