Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Atmospheric Pressure- A New Challenge

Atmospheric Pressure (unfinished)
10x8
oil on canvas paper
sold

I painted this cloudy atmosphere while under the pressure of time constraints... hence the title.

I found this new blog called Twenty Minute Challenge and thought the concept offered a great exercise. The idea is to get all set up and then begin painting for twenty minutes and no longer. You must stop at that point whether you are done or not. Well, when I was at the studio on Monday I really wasn't in the right mood to tackle the large canvas (40x30") I prepared last week. That became clear as I puttered around the studio tweaking things, tidying my space, painting edges of canvases and visiting... pure stalling techniques- possibly picked up from exposure to my children at their bedtime! At about 2:40 p.m. I remembered about this challenge and decided to do it. I would be picking the kids up from school soon, so I had no choice but to work quickly and not (dishonestly) go over the 20 minute limit. : o) 

I got set up: paints ready, paper taped to board, palette set to go, and with my eye on the clock, off I went! Twenty minutes goes fast! It certainly kept me loose and moving at all times. I can see how doing this exercise on a regular basis could really keep me focused on the essentials of my subject and help to keep me from getting hung up on details. This isn't finished, but that's okay. This exercise was all about the painting and not about the end result. Very liberating.

7 comments:

-Don said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has picked up the stalling techniques perfected by our children at bedtime... That line cracked me up. Great job of packing in this beauty in under 20.

-Don

Anonymous said...

Now THAT is a bold move! Such stuff is the adventures provided in paint- Thanks for posting it.
Best to you in Beautiful Canada.

Nicki said...

Hi Don,

Hee hee... yup, I am getting quite good at it.... stalling that is, not painting in a 20 minute time constraint!

Nicki


Hi TJ,

It was a fun exercise and I will try it again. Thanks for stopping by... I am so glad I found your blog.

Nicki

Anonymous said...

hey Nicki, when i attended art classes, the tutor would say you have 5 mins or 20 etc, i would sometimes manage to get a concept of shape. but i would not atempt a finish:)) you have managed a lovely piece in such a short time

Nicki said...

Hi Rahina,

I recall doing a similar exercise in drawing classes. We would do 5 minute contour drawings and 1 minute gesture drawings to warm up. It was fun and some wonderful things could happen if you allowed yourself to loosen up and move fast.

N.

Harry Kent said...

i love this ... so strong, decisive ... love to see where the brush has attacked the canvas and plenty left for the viewer to bring to work ... great stuff

Nicki said...

Hi Harry,

Thank you so much for having a look at my blog and for leaving a comment. I had a quick look at your blog and it is very interesting. I will go back to spend more time reading and looking.

Nicki