My original goal was a simple 30 day challenge which I completed back in May. I wasn’t ready to stop painting at 30 days though so I kept going. 83 days in I finally took a break. This week I was really busy with work and family obligations so when it came time to paint I was exhausted.
Taking a few days off was good for me. I feel refreshed and ready to start back up again. I’ve consistently moved my goal to finish my sketchbook, to finishing another sketchbook, to 100 paintings. With 100 paintings firmly in my sights, I’m back to finishing another sketchbook which will take me beyond 100 paintings. There really isn’t any end in sight.
I really liked working in a sketchbook and once it was filled up I lost some of my motivation. While I am liking working larger, I love the portability of a sketchbook. Since it’s small I can take it anywhere and not feel like I’m putting on a production.
With that in mind, I put together another sketchbook. This one has four different types of paper (white, tan, grey, and black) alternated throughout. I’m also going to not limit myself by only working in my sketchbook. I’m going to keep a side project going on larger paper.
Aside from my sketchbook, I took on a couple commissions this week. I painted two shitzus on a large 9×12 sheet of tan paper which is my largest gouache painting to date. It really felt good to paint larger and I’m excited to paint my next large painting.
The sketch for the other commission has been approved and I’ll get it started in the next day or two. It’s a commemorative painting, but the client was able to give me some decent reference photos so I’m excited to get it started. For the sketch itself, I dug out my old charcoal pencils from college. I really enjoyed sketching. I’ve avoided drawing for so many years that I forgot that I actually enjoy it.
In other news, I’m super stoked to finally have some of my gouache paintings framed. I honestly don’t know why I waited so long to get them framed. It wasn’t just for me though, I framed them so I could put them in a local pet supply store. The owner has told me that she is constantly getting asked about pet portraits and said she would gladly hang my pet portraits if I brought some in. So I finally have something presentable to bring in. I hope I get at least a few commissions from these.
Follow me on Instagram where I post daily paintings and works in progress. I typically post a finished painting each day, but if I don’t manage to finish one that day I’ll post my current progress. Many of these painting are for sale. Contact me for availability and price. I’m also accepting commissions. Please email me at amber.honour@burntumberarts.com for inquires.