Saturday, October 15, 2011

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE October




















16x20" oil on canvas $275



This month's challenge, given to us by Robin Cheers, was quite the...er...well... challenge! We were given this black and white photograph.....


















as reference and asked to paint it in full color, keeping the values as close to the original as possible. I spent more than a few days fretting about this puppy, however, once I sat down to work on it, I decided to take each element and choose shadow, mid tone and highlight colors, with a dash of a pure version of each color for some added life. It was fun actually, once I got going. And an added plus was the decision to paint much more loosely than I usually do. It's obvious I've got some chillaxin' to do in that department, but, up close it looks a lot looser than it does from a distance. Baby steps right?

Oh, and before I forget...the 16-piece Ladybug Installation will be done by month's end instead of today. What was I thinking? Besides, I think the finished group will make a more definitive post than one after another.

That said, time for the group to hang some laundry, enjoy!


                                                                                   
Fresh Sheets
11x14" watercolor on aquaboard
© Vicki Ross
http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

















Untitled
8x10" oil on canvas
© Sharman Owings
http://www.sharmanowingspaintings.blogspot.com

















Summer Chores
11x14" oil on panel
© Robin Cheers 2011
http://robincheers.blogspot.com/





















Fetching
10x8" oil on hardboard
©Diana Moses Botkin 2011
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/





















"Its a Wash"
8x6" oil on canvas
© Ruth Andre
http://apaintingday.blogspot.com/


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22 comments:

  1. myra andersonOctober 15, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    very beautiful!

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  2. Mona Diane ConnerOctober 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    So interesting to see all the interpretations of this. I love how you dramatized the light yet kept the blanket colors bright; it's a wonderful painting!

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  3. Jeanette JobsonOctober 15, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    You captured the transformation from greyscale to colour beautifully. And it is a challenge to do so. Is there anything you can't do? :)

    I love to see the different interpretations of the pieces. It always amazes me to see how different brains/eyes see the same thing.

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  4. D. SissonOctober 15, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Your painting really puts me right there with that gal! Congrats on this wonderful piece!

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  5. Tweedles -- that's meOctober 15, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Gosh you did it again! Gorgeous!
    And we also love to see how each artist interpeted the scene.
    Each one was beautiful and told a story.
    love
    tweedles

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  6. SYLVIANEOctober 15, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Your colours are so vivid and beautiful!

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  7. Diana Moses BotkinOctober 16, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    I love the colors you chose: such a happy, sunshiny painting!

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  8. JANE MINTEROctober 16, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    you've made it come alive suzanne beautiful colour and brushstrokes will come back to see the rest of the ladybirds ciao

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  9. Bruce ShermanOctober 16, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    Hi there Suzanne!... Another lovely rendition of a singular moment!

    It was great to compare the group results to see how each came at the challenge... really drove home how we each have our own processes.

    I didn't feel at all that your piece was as quite loose as you felt. The drawing rather followed the elements of grey scale version of the photo exactly. But the painting of this was marvellously conducted... making the final painting my favourite... in terms of colour.

    Good one!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  10. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    An absolutely wow piece, Suz! Truly amazing, your abilities! Love the colors of the sheets too. I must say that there is something so poignant about this piece for me. So timeless. The only thing that is changed from 150 years ago is the clothes!

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  11. Crystal CookOctober 16, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    That is SO gorgeous SUzanne! And wow am I impressed at your colors especially knowing you had no reference for them! i love the way the girl's hip is resting too. Just awesome Suz. :)))

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  12. Sandra BusbyOctober 16, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    And you have made this look as though it was effortless - again! It amazes me everytime! I find this even more admirable since it isn't even your own vision, because I would find that VERY hard! :0)

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  13. Ruth AndreOctober 16, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Super job, Suzanne!

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  14. -DonOctober 17, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    Yep, you're AWESOME! I found myself riveted for several minutes...

    -Don

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  15. r garriottOctober 17, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    What is it about laundry that makes it such a great subject to paint? Great play on primary colors!

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  16. Dana CooperOctober 17, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Suzanne, you just seem to knock everything out of the park and this is no exception. I love the colors you chose to make this special...wonderful, wonderful!!

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  17. Diane HoeptnerOctober 18, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    You stayed VERY true to the values from the photo and I find it amazing that you just thought up the colors--they look sooo lifelike!! I'm likin' the looser brushybrush too.

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  18. suzanneberryOctober 19, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    thank you all so very much. again and again, your comments mean a LOT!

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  19. NickiOctober 19, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Well done! Great challenge, too.

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  20. UnknownOctober 22, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    Excellent work. I also really loved the last post. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Carrie Waller WatercolorsOctober 22, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Suz, this is fabulous!! Love your answer to this challenge. It takes me back to when we lived in Germany and almost everyone in our village hung their close out to dry. One lady even like to do this completely nude, to each their own:) Great colors and I'm in love with that shadow dancing across the blue sheet.

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  22. Emiliya LaneOctober 25, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Great colors Suzanne- And a very confident and sure strokes! Love that one . Are your guys accepting a new members for your challenges? :-))

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