It was such a fun project — I grew up looking at the mountains, and each of those reminds me of home.. I’m so chuffed those paintings found their place, and I hope they’ll bring some comfort to the eyes and the mind of the viewer
Nikita@coppershaman.com · 2mo agoMy close friend @paul-red.bsky.social did some outstanding work on this cycle Such a generous gift from him. I can almost hear nature sounds from each painting as I look at it
A variety of surfaces for oil painting I tried last year Still looking for “the one” surface that will work best for me. But with the current prices of linen, this search may take longer than I think 😁
Lazy Monday landscape study from my photo reference of the bridge in Eltham Palace
Let me paint you London | Clissold park This park was the first I saw when I moved to London almost 4 years ago. I visit it multiple times each week, even when I go to work I’m cycling through it. And I couldn’t help but notice how it has changed.
Experimenting with my favourite sketchbook — it has only 150 gsm paper, and I was curious to see how watercolour would work with it. I used to think that I should only use heavier paper, but it turns out with the light wash it works! So happy with the results, and it means more colour experiments
The third mountain-themed painting I made for my close friend @coppershaman.com By the weekend those paintings will be framed and on a wall in their new home 🙂
In this season I rediscovered plums for myself. I didn’t use to like them. Don’t really know why, they’re delicious. This original painting I made for my wife, who taught me to appreciate plums more, and who buys them all the time 😁
Another alla prima landscape study is done 🙌🏼 I don’t recall painting mountain rivers before, so it was new and challenging. But I’m so happy with this experience — the presence of all three planes forces me to learn how to simplify and control where to guide the viewer 👀
New oil painting, which started as a value practice and then a colour study. Based on a photo from Rafael Peier from Unsplash. A close friend of mine, for whom I painted this, said that this scene brings a sense of tranquillity.
When I saw this scene in the Lee Valley Park, I knew it would make a fine painting. Everything was there: the contrast, the shapes, even the complementary splash of red amongst the green.
Made a quick oil sketch on a painting surface I’ve never tried before — an aluminium panel from @jacksons_art. I’m intrigued to see how the paint will dry on this, but I already like the smoothness of it. I’ll definitely experiment more with this surface
I’m back 🙌🏼 I took some time to rest after the Strada challenge in January (and it was a good idea). But I’m ready now to continue making art and sharing it with the world, so stay tuned 👋🏼
#StradaEasel challenge done 🙌🏼 Incredible experience, and I’m grateful for every comment from other artists who supported me this month. I’m so happy to find amazing artists whose artworks motivated me to pick up a brush or a pencil every day. We are the champions, my friends
Day 31 #StradaEasel — final day of the challenge, and even the flowers are quite exhausted 😄 My hopes that they would remain in the same position as yesterday didn’t meet the reality. But still, it was super fun to mix those subtle colours.
Day 30 #StradaEasel — tulips block-in on a paper. I caught just a bit of decent light today to make this block-in. The flowers are a complex subject for me, as they have very subtle edges and wild gradients, but that makes them fun to paint. So I’m looking forward to working with colours tomorrow 😁
Day 29 #StradaEasel — another tiny drawing today, but I promise for the last two days of the challenge I’ll make a painting (or two) in oils 😄
Day 28 #StradaEasel — today I’m playing with charcoal to practice values. It was fun, although I don’t think this paper works best with charcoal which is quite soft. Next time I’ll try Bristol paper
Day 27 #StradaEasel — fruit salad is finished and I can finally eat it 😁 I think I got values wrong this time, but luckily I know how to practice them more
Day 26 #StradaEasel — simple block-in for the next study of a bowl of fruits. I’m not sure how long it will take me to finish this, let’s hope I won’t start eating the grapes before it is done 😁 They are so sweet and delicious
Day 25 #StradaEasel — another quick sketch today, as I took most of this Sunday to just rest before the next busy week. I start to think that I’m too impatient with pencil, or maybe I’m just lacking knowledge on how to handle it to create soft gradients 🤷♂️
Old straight razor, oil on a faux “linen” canvas, 4 x 7 inches approximately. Painted for day 24 #StradaEasel
Day 23 #StradaEasel — far from perfect, but I’m quite happy where this painting gets me. I also learned a thing or two about colour mixing and my palette.
Day 22 #StradaEasel — started a flower still life, but got so little light that I’ll have to pause for today and carry on tomorrow morning
Day 21 #StradaEasel — a pair of scissors, oil on loose canvas, 4 x 6 inches approximately. I started painting this when there was a light from the window, and finished when it wasn’t, so the lighting setup on the photo is different
Day 20 #StradaEasel — the setup I’d like to paint with oils tomorrow, so I made a quick pencil sketch. It may look better with another lighting setup, and I’ll probably add a towel to finish the composition.
Day 19 #StradaEasel — another quick sketch today as the day was busy, but I managed to prepare a few interesting objects for tomorrow’s still life 👋🏼
Day 18 #StradaEasel — after yesterday’s unsuccessful attempt to paint some cylinders, today I’m doubling down on the same topic with more cylinders of a different size and under a variety of angles
