The last entry on my blog was about “spring fever”.  It has been hanging on way too long, and it has caused a change in my normal painting patterns.  Instead of picking up watercolors, I started a painting on canvas using acrylics. 

Pink peonies seemed to be calling to be painted, and I had a great reference photo from last summer.  This bunch of peonies was of the single variety, with the sun brightly shining on the curved petals.  The pattern of the flower petals looked like it would make a great composition. 

The sketch was done loosely directly on the canvas with pencil before the initial base layer of paint.  Everything was going well, and it was great fun.  Using a large flat brush and dark greens and blues, the leaf pattern in the background was started in a somewhat haphazard and loose style.  Since normally I paint in watercolors and watercolors dry lighter, acrylics soon posed a typical problem.  Even knowing the acrylics darken as they dry, I still find it difficult to get them light enough.  The leaves were worked on for many days before I was completely satisfied with them.  The flowers were so bright compared to the dark leaves; they looked like they were off on another painting.  Persistence prevailed!

Every day of working on this painting was frustrating!  There were at least two rather sleepless nights, which made painting the next day even more challenging.  However, I didn’t want to give up on the challenge!  I finally signed the painting today, so I consider it finished.  My critique of the painting is brutal.  But, somewhere out in the world, someone will think it was painted for them.  Indeed, it was.

May your challenges give you a better understanding of your gained knowledge. 

ps  Please feel free to make comments; I welcome them!