When I first started this project, I read about oil pastels in a book and immediately went out to buy some. I was surprised at how painting-like some pastel works could be and I thought for sure I would have a blast with them.  But I hated them.  So I put them on the shelf and ignored them for many months.

But this week, in a lull of inspiration, I pulled them back out in hopes of kick starting something awesome.  I did not actually kick start anything awesome, but I did grow to like them quite a bit and was glad I gave them a second chance.  If they look a little blurry, that’s because they are.  And I like them that way.

May 12, “Back Yard 1,” Oil Pastel

May 13, “Back Yard 2,” Oil Pastel

I wore down the white pastel stick pretty quickly trying to get that blur effect, so I’ll be buying another one of those soon.  I hear you can also buy a transparent oil stick that would have a the same effect.

May 12, Oil Pastel

May 15, Oil Pastel

May 19, Oil Pastel and Watercolor

Then I decided to go back to oil paints again after trying acrylics last round.  I really didn’t love acrylics.  And while I will give them many more opportunities to be loved, I craved the feel of oil paint under my palette knife.

Thus far, I have painted all of my oils in virtually one sitting.  I’ve enjoyed that method, but it’s limiting because there is a lot more you can do by letting each layer of paint dry before adding another.  Up to this point, I’ve had no patience for waiting and drying, but it’s time to expand and do new things, so for future paintings, I will strive to be more patient.

This was my first layer.  Not a bad start.

May 17, “Quick Nap,” Oil

And then the second layer, but the painting was too bright.

May 19, “Quick Nap 2,” Oil

And then my last layer where I tried to darken it up a bit.

May 20, “Quick Nap 3,” Oil

In the end, I thought I did a good job capturing the glow from the lamp and the coziness of the space.  I had major difficulties and am still unsatisfied with the girl curled up in the chair.  Partly, I lack skill.  Partly, I lack the proper instruments.  But overall, not bad.

And then, because I always go back to watercolors, I tried these subjects.  Great, average and poor, in that order.

May 20, “Dr. Oz Veggie Wash,” Watercolor

May 22, “Matt’s Guitar,” Watercolor

May 20, Watercolor”

Then two more randoms. The not-so-professional art medium, the Sharpie:

May 20, “Birds of a Feather,” Watercolor & Sharpie

And lastly, a charcoal sketch.

May 23, “Cardboard Box Playhouses,” Charcoal and Oil Pastel