Glass

 

I bought these chunky rocks glasses at a discount store; each has a blob of colored glass in the base, which is reflected above and below.
I thought they'd be good to paint, and would also give me practice with glass and grays.
So here's the first sytempt, painted in Daniel Smith's shadow violet, with some ultramarine and burnt sienna.
Kind of a mess, imho, but that means I will be able to improve!

... forced

 (6x8)

More attempts to keep my hand in.

I'm ready to move on to another subject; these are getting stale ... But haven't discovered what that subject might be yet!

Spending some (a lot!) of time right now making swatches of ALL the colors in my possession: a mind- and studio-clearing project! 

(6x8)

forcing ...

 (5x7)

(5x7)

Little simple still lifes to help me get back in the practice of painting regularly.

Dark background homework

 (8x9)

One of the best things about taking class is having to do things you normally wouldn't (... or does that sound masochistic?)

If you search the Internet you will find many luscious paintings of desserts and pastries, but the subject never appealed to me much: what would I do with a painting of strawberry shortcake? But, I have to say, I found it fun to paint it.

I was debating whether I could/should go in and add some darker darks to define the shortbread and the cream, but 1) I don't want to lose any more of the white, which I've already lost too much of; and 2) I couldn't settle on a color, or combination of colors, for the darks. 

Decided to do nothing and wait till Monday to see what my teacher says.

Dark backgrounds

Getting back to painting class when I can. It inspires me and makes me feel like I'm learning, progressing. And it's fun too.
We've been practicing putting in dark backgrounds.
I have trouble getting darks that are dark enough and interesting.