Study in Pink & Teal

Oil on stretched linen
Unframed
9″ x 12″

This painting was a personal challenge I set myself. 

One of the hardest things you can do in a painting is to “turn the form” without blending any brushstrokes. 

What does that technical piece of nonsense mean? 

Usually when you’re painting, you’re letting the paint blend together to create a sense of volume and light, i.e. “turning the form”. It’s a more forgiving way to paint, letting the materials do some of the work for you. 

But if you’re feeling a little masochistic, you try to create a painting where you don’t do that. 

It’s excellent practice: it sharpens your eye and your mind, forcing you to paint every stroke with pinpoint accuracy. It’s a very sculptural way of painting. 

Because this was done from life, I knew I only had 2 days to finish. By the end of day one, I was convinced I’d flubbed it. I was sure I was in over my head. 

But with a little advice from a mentor and a fresh perspective on day two, I managed to pull it out of the fire and create something that I’m still very pleased with. 

$500