Still No Joy

This is only day 5 of the challenge and I feel I am rushing to get something done and only creating pooh. I think my answer to this is post progress on what I am working on otherwise this will turn into a lost month for me.  I have shows that I would like to enter but I need to get to some decent work.....Still thinking this thru.

This is about 13"x 9" on UART.While I like the feel of the paper, I do not like the texture that shows through the paint.

Enter the Pans...

This is the image that I intended to put up after the car. I mentioned that I received award money for the car painting and bought new pastels with that money. Of course. I want to digress here for a moment to point out that I think pastelist are hoarders at heart. We are ALWAYS getting more pastels. Okay. Enough on THAT subject. 

Pan pastels are a different experience. They come in these little compacts that look like foundation make-up. The applicators are like make-up applicators too. As a result, I get a softer look. I don't always want that, but it is great having that as an option.

This is on 18"x 12" UART sanded paper and it is all pan pastels except the lines of the fence.

Challenges, Challenges, Challenges!

If I wrote here everything that I was thinking about today's painting experience, someone would surely offer me some cheese with my whine. With that being said, there is no real need in pointing out that this was less than a stellar moment for me. But hey, that means things WILL GET BETTER!! :)
Today's painting is of my street as I see it from my driveway. The weather has been mostly rainy and dark clouds were coming and going all day.  I thought the safest bet was to set up my easel at the edge of the garage and paint from there.  I got a little sprinkle on me and had to move back a bit but all in all it was fine.  I will have to revisit the setting as my painting does NOT do it justice. Next time!

Daily Painting Post - Can't take the pressure!

It is all over the internet. Artist everywhere are out plein aire painting and blogging about their wonderful experiences doing both. I can hardly keep up! lol! I keep reading that wonderful things will happen to the artists who adhere to these practices and woe begone to those who do not. So I, of course, caved. who wouldn't?! Woe begone?! Who is willing to chance that?!

So this is a 12" x 9" pastel done on UART paper with a variety of soft pastels to include Terry Ludwick, Sennelier, Schmincke and a touch of pan. I usually use a lot of pan but I figure,hey, if I am stepping outside of my comfort zone I may as well step WAAY out.

Next problem to solve between these daily paintings is getting a better image. Sigh,