BobBlast 218 - "What's Next After an Initial Warm Mid Tone?"

BobBlast #218 What's Next After an Initial Warm Mid-Tone? Welcome Back to Another BobBlast! This BobBlast is a continuation of last week... more of my Little Gems and daily warm-up studio practices. Remember, these Little Gems are paint sketches. They are meant to be a fun exercise to ease into your painting day.  And just so you know - I am teaching a "Little Gems" class at the upcoming Trade Show - Artisan Expo in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My final trade show of the year is the Art of the Carolinas in November. In this Blast I am painting on precut 10x10 inch pieces, taped back together. The mid-tone color is already there. In the previous BobBlast, I worked on the upper three sketches with lights and brights on the mid-tone orange first. Now, in this demo, I will work on the next group of three, with a darkest darks first - keeping it fast and loose!  I select my Holbein Artist Acrylic paints, decide on the composition and the concept. I am continuing with the concept of vases of flowers. Each 10x10 inch sketch is a variation on a theme. I intentionally make each one different - I don't try to make carbon copies.  The beauty of this exercise is to have another painting to go to... If I try really, really hard to complete each 10x10 inch  sketch before moving on to the next one, I will tighten up, get frustrated and not have too much fun. My mindset while painting these warm up exercises is to keep loose, have fun and experiment.  I work on the first painting for a little while, establishing the vase shape... move on to the next one and then the next with the darkest dark. Next comes the focal point - the big showy flower that is the center of attention. I quickly mark the spot on each painting. The focal point is the point of the highest contrast. Then I block in the lightest light and add more color. Keep it moving - don't stay in one spot for very long. Don't fall in love with it too soon! This is an exercise to loosen up.  Stand Up, Big Brush, Big Smile!