"Afternoon Light" Miniature Daily Painting

Original unframed oil
5"x3.5"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Beautiful sunny afternoons in spring make winter bearable.

"Shoreline Reflections" Miniature Landscape Daily Painting

Original oil painting
3.5"x2.5"
in tiny frame
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Low clouds behind trees at water's edge, with moody evening light reflecting trees in the water and blue streaks from the sky above.

"Pink and Blue Highlights" Miniature Landscape Daily Painting

Original oil
3.5"x2.5" in tiny frame
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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Rosy evening light on snowy peaks and clouds against a turquoise sky makes for a dramatic scene.

"Dark Red Apple" Still Life Daily Painting

Original unframed oil 4"x6"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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After painting the limited strokes apples, it was very satisfying to add more substance and detail in this simple little painting!

Limited Strokes Painting... Continued Some More

(left)

"7 Stroke Apples 2"
Original oil on canvas
12"x4.5"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin


These three are the second group I tried for the limited strokes exercise.

It's good to see the progression and how I got a little more comfortable with the exercise. It's especially nice to be able to loosen up a bit and still paint a realistic impression.

This group could be framed with the other three, or framed separately in a series of 6 little 'uns. Let me know if you want them.

Limited Strokes Painting... Continued

(left)
"7 Stroke Apples"
Original oil on canvas
12"x4.5"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Even though I dreaded the Challenge this month, I found it was actually an enjoyable warm-up exercise to count strokes... and make them count.

I had never actually seen anyone demonstrate this exercise with the limited brushstrokes and had trouble visualizing how to actually do this.

I knew I was supposed to plan out my moves but it took some hands-on efforts to get a feel for how to make it work.

Sometimes when you come upon new waters, you just have to jump in with both feet and get wet!

This exercise felt more natural after doing several. I'd like to get back to this warm-up regularly.

My Newest Article in Professional Artist Magazine

Some of you know I write for Professional Artist Magazine (formerly Art Calendar). The May issue is just out. I have an article in it about showing art in alternative spaces.

I've shared information and photos about finding non-gallery venues for exhibitions. In our society today and even with our current economy, there are lots of creative ways for artists to show off their work so collectors can find them.

April Challenge: Limited Strokes Painting

This month's very challenging Challenge is the brainchild of Robin Cheers. She told us a little about the 7 strokes painting exercises and said we could use as many as 15 strokes. I'd never tried anything like this before and was pretty scared!

However, once I actually put brush to canvas I found it very interesting (and challenging) to plan the strokes and move my loaded brush around to paint the form.

I chose a simple apple for my first try at this and enjoyed it immensely as a warm-up. I'll post more info on my efforts later. For now, here is the one that turned out the best, the pick of the littler of my limited stroke sketches.

(left)
"7 Stroke Apple"
Original oil on canvas
4"x4.5"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

What an interesting and useful Challenge this one was! Thank you, Robin. Here are the rest of the group's limited stroke paintings. Aren't they fun?!



(left)
"Spring"
Oil on canvas
6"x4"
©2011 Ruth Andre


(right)
"Gardening"
Oil on panel
12"x6"
©2011 Robin Cheers


(left below) "One Duck in 15 Strokes" Oil on canvas 10"x10" ©2011 Suzanne Berry
(right below) "7-stroke to Place" Oil on canvas 9"x13" ©2011 Vicki Ross

"Sunset Showers" Daily Painting

Original oil on canvas
approximately 6"x6", unframed
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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Evening rain clouds with glowing sky over the mountains makes a lovely scene.

"Evening Thunderstorm" Sunset Daily Painting

Original oil, 4"x6" framed
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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Spring storms at sunset are dramatic, especially when they light up all rosy and gold like this one.

"Brightness Below" Miniature Daily Painting

Original oil, 2"x3"
unframed, with mini easel
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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The valley below, draped in a bright blanket of rosy fog, reflects the rosy glowing morning light.

"Bright Morning" Miniature Daily Painting

Original oil 2"x3"
unframed, with mini easel
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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This is a glorious time of year when the sun shines, revealing fresh snow on the mountains and fields in colorful hues, warmed by the morning light.

"April Snow" Miniature Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 2" x 3.25"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

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Snow this time of year is a bit disappointing when one would rather see sunshine and spring flowers, but the white stuff is good for the trees and the fields.