July 2010 Challenge

The theme for this month's Group Challenge is
Take a Closer Look

We'll be looking at our photo subjects through a macro lens to get in really close. Maybe close enough that the actual subject is no longer recognisable, but becomes an abstract picture. Think about shapes, patterns and especially placement on your canvas/board to get the best composition.

Here's a macro-photo sample (from pdphoto.org):


Example: For the above photo, you could paint the whole flower, or get even closer - "zoom in" on a part of it that appeals because of color patterns or shapes and make that the focus of your painting. It's not about the details - it's about taking a close look at colors, shapes and patterns to find the "big picture" in a small subject.

More photo samples will be up later this evening, or tomorrow morning. You can also use your own photos; use your camera's macro setting or macro lens if it has one. Get as close in as you can to your subject. Consider concentrating on an interesting pattern or light effect rather than the actual item.
Be sure to include some information with your painting: size and support (as usual) and a thumbnail of the photo you use, or a description if you paint from life.

Great challenge. I just mentioned to Kimberly in her peoni painting that I want to try a super closeup where the flower goes off the edge and here it is. You must have been reading my mind.

Judy

Maybe I am, Judy. I sure wasn't finding much to read in my own!
I need to go round up my sample pics.....

You're fast, Callie! Great challenge - can't wait to get to do it.

Callie,

What a delightful challenge – I am looking forward to it, now to find the right subject in detail to paint…to capture the light, or shape, or patterns, or maybe all of that? It will be fascinating to see everyone’s pieces and find out what subjects they used…exciting and stimulating…can’t wait! An intriguing challenge – Thank you

Some macro photo samples to inspire you:

"Pilot Light" by Ecstaticist on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/418606587/


"Point of No Return" by Zetson on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zetson/3229017611/sizes/m/


See some more amazing photos here:
http://www.backtoessentials.com/inspiration/120-stunning-and-inspiring-examples-of-macro-photography/#more-34

I can't wait to see what everyone does with this challenge!

Great challenge Callie! I'll try to squeeze one in maybe using a palette knife seeing that I did so bad at getting a painting done for last months challenge.

Good idea, Janet

I finally got a chance to paint. I drew this in with soft pastels last Friday on black gesso. It is 9 x 12 canvas paper. I used GO for the sap greens, phathlo blue and titanium white. For the pink parts I used the red Cobra sample. It wasn't pinkish, violet enough so I mixed it with the acrylic phthalo blue and titanium white. It mixed well and spread nicely, but I found it was drying on the palette faster than the Opens. I used a wet brush to moisten it again as I picked up the color and that helped. Once this all dries, I'll switch to all WSO for shadowing and highlights.

Great start Judy! Interesting that the Cobra mixed with the acrylics was drying faster on the palette then the GO.

Looking good, Judy!

Judy, your painting is beautiful!! When I got my sample Cobra WMO, it came with a pamphlet on how to use Cobra WMOs and it says not to mix them with acrylics, due to the different drying times--it can cause "craquele' or even the paint layers peeling off!" I hope your painting is okay.

BTW, I saw your site on WetCanvas on how to mix colors and it was very helpful. Thanks!

Dayle

Thank you all for the comments. I figured this was just a practice painting, so I would experiment with the Cobra. The Open Acrylics tend to mix will with other WSO's I used. I have only used very thin layers of the Cobra mixture, and this morning it is just as dry as the rest of the painting. Today I will be using all WSO's. I;ll postit when it is done.
Judy

I finished the painting using only WSO's. I wiped on a thin film of walnut oil over the acrylic (suggested by Jerry Yarnell). This helps bond the oils and acrylics, and it also gave the flat black gesso a satin finish. I used the Cobra Pyrrole Red, Artisan Phthalo Blue(red shade), Cad Yellow Medium and titanium white, and Duo Burnt Sienna and Lemon Yellow. The Cobra remained creamy when mixed with the other WSO's.


This was definitely a lot more fun than the palette knife. Judy

Great work on the blending and shadows in the red areas. Very nice painting! I'm glad you had fun with it

Glad the Cobra worked out with the acrylics. Your painting is really beautiful.
Dayle

Thanks Dayle. I'm glad you found the mixing colors
informative. Did you go to my website from WetCanvas or did it come up some place else?

Judy: I found it at WetCanvas. I go to both websites because I want to learn as much as I can, but I much prefer this one.

Dayle

Judy, Very nice start on this piece. It will be interesting to find out how your painting dries and sets up concidering you mixed oil and acrylics together -- have you done that before?

Oh, I just saw your finished painting looks great. Also read the info on putting walnut oil on the mixing of paint, this was new to me, did you get the oil just at the grocery store or art store?

Good work Judy! It looks like you had a lot of fun. Thanks for showing us your steps and explaining your process. Using the acrylics for the initial layer allowed you to finish faster!

Thanks Dana and Sofie,

Dana, walnut oil is available at art supply stores, but I've also had people say they just buy it at grocery stores also. Yarnell uses WSO linseed oil. I prefer the walnut oil because it doesn't bother my breathing. I use it for the thin film over the acrylics and also for mixing into my paints.

Dayle, I check WC periodically but I devote most of my time to this forum.
Judy

Great painting Judy! I love the colors and details!

Very nice Judy – wow, you just got right on it, you are so good to take on the challenge and so quickly! Nice work!

I probably won't get to another one, but getting one done is always a good goal for learning.
Judy

I'm taking the challenge - here's the photo I'm using:

This is a pincushion flower from Australia.

Here's the first phase of my attempt:



This is on an 8"x6" canvas. I used artisan magenta, perm alizarin Crimson, and diox purple for the flower, with a touch of white. The same colours in the stem and leaf outlines. The background is ultramarine blue, cad yellow light hue, and diox purple. The leaves are Ultramarine, Lemon yellow, and cad yellow light hue. When it's dry I'll go in and add the stripes on the leaves, the white filaments on the flowers, and the highlights.