Fearless Friday, Alphabet Challenge

the Painted Apron

7 years ago

A lot of people are doing monthly challenges of one sort of the other, and there are lots of fun artsy challenges you can join or do, on instagram, on line, etc.

Since I’m usually 5 minutes late to everything, 😳 I didn’t start this on the first of the month as most monthly challenges, I started on Oct 5…

Which works out just right mathematically since the alphabet is my theme and it only has 26 letters 🤣

This is just a personal challenge I made up for me, a goal of drawing/painting at least a few minutes everyday

I chose a watercolor painting from colorbox.com for reference to paint the red pepper

It’s okay to “borrow” from another artist as long as you acknowledge your source, and if you want to use it for revenue, just like a recipe it cannot be a “copycat,” you must change it to make it your original

I am dabbling in publishing a cookbook and can’t decide if I want to use illustrations or photos…the artist in me wants to use drawings and paintings, but does the reader want to see art or real food photos?

I am concentrating on food drawings for this challenge, using marker, ink, colored pencil and watercolor, and trying out different fonts to improve lettering skills as well

You’re probably thinking I started with “P” as in pretzel and pancakes…nope!

“A” is for agile, like anyone who can do a pretzel type pose 🙏

And “B” is for butter, as in pancakes oozing with butter and syrup

This is super fun and I will share some tricks I’ve learned already, like making and using a color chart and choosing your colors before you start so you don’t waste time rifling through stuff and making decisions

You’ve heard me preach often about art supply organization and studio set ups and this is really the key to success…so before you do anything,

#1 Organize!! Every time I see these trays I itch to sit down and play

2. Purge and splurge!! Go through your stash and throw out anything old and dried up etc. Treat yourself to some new supplies, or dust off some old ones, to jump start your motivation

I keep wish lists on Dick Blick and Amazon of things that I might want to buy or try

My husband always asks “Do you think you have enough markers and pencils?”

The answer is always a resounding “NO!”

I have tried Art Snacks and Sketch Box, monthly subscription boxes full of goodies

The contents are secret until they are shipped and the month begins, so you are rolling the dice a bit, but the anticipation is exciting, and the boxes will introduce you to things you might never have tried

3. Pick out your subjects, inspiration photos, theme or idea in advance. That way when you sit down to work, you don’t waste time wondering what to draw or paint. This is where having a theme for your challenge helps…but don’t let it confine you, if you feel like deviating, deviate!

“D” is for Dr. Pepper