I decided that since I’m home anyway, this is the year to finally try the 100 Day Project which is exactly what it sounds like-a project that you design/plan and do for 100 days. I’ve seen all sorts of projects-100 days of knitting, haiku writing, collage, paper cuts, origami, painting, song composing, and more. I’ve done 30 day challenges before, but this is three times as long and I’m a little daunted! I decided to do my project based on exercises suggested by Nathan Fowkes in his “How to Paint Landscapes Quickly and Beautifully”. I wanted to make sure I had a variety of different activities to do so I don’t get bored over 100 days, but all of them are similarly themed. To make it manageable all of the paintings will be no larger than 5” x 7” and most of them will be smaller. All of the paintings will be in watercolor and or gouache and the value studies can be in paint or markers in shades of gray.
Painting Exercises:
Small color copies of master paintings
Gray scale value studies of master paintings
Painting the same view outside my studio window at different times of day and weather conditions
20 stroke paintings-a focus on simplicity and what is essential
Three colors plus white used to make an abstract composition
The project officially started April 7th, but you can join any time. Maybe it might give you something fun to do to pass the time?
Here are a few of the paintings I’ve done in the first two weeks!
Yes, we had overnight snow in early April. It all melted by mid-morning thank goodness.
I spotted this dramatic lighting between spring storms.
Study of a Maynard Dixon painting
Gouache study of “Capri Stairs” by John Singer Sargent
Gouache studies of contemporary masters
My first attempt at a 20 stroke painting. It is much closer to a 35 stroke painting! This is really tough-both to think strategically and limit brushstrokes AND remember to count!