2022 October Plein Air Challenge - My Final Thoughts on Actually Completing My First-Ever Art Challenge

Top row, left to right: Cornfield, Lost Home. Bottom row, left to right: Under the Bridge, Fall on the Keystone

I had a really good time completing this October Plein Air challenge. I had only gone plein air painting once before this challenge in preparation. Additionally, I worked on the Foundations Course by Paint Coach to refresh my skills. I knew that painting in this new style would be challenging and difficult for me and I am glad that I took the time to work on developing my skills beforehand. I can definitely see refinement and development over these four paintings. 

Fall on the Keystone

8x6in. oil on Ampersand gessoboard - click to purchase here

This is the fourth and last painting out of the four for my October Plein Air challenge! I've never completed an October challenge that I've started before (like inktober or peachtober) but having finished this one makes me feel really good. I'll make another post later with my final thoughts on the entire challenge. This bridge is out on the Keystone Trail, one that I've ridden quite a large amount of times! I love being on the trails here, people were very nice to me when they passed me on their walks and bike rides.

Under the Bridge

6x8in. oil on Ampersand gessoboard - click to purchase here

This is the third out of the four plein air paintings for the October challenge! The section on the left where the rocks are with the darkest shadow was such an eye-catching area to me and I wanted to give it a try. This is my first plein air attempt of concrete forms! This painting started out pretty ugly but it quickly pulled together in the end.

Lost Home

 

8x6in. oil on Ampersand gessoboard - click to purchase here

This is the second out of the four plein air paintings for the October challenge! This is my first attempt at dappled light and it's definitely tough. I had a lot of fun making this and the weather was so nice. I had a kind of tough time editing the color balance of this image to match the painting itself, my phone's camera leans heavily blue.

Radiant Pumpkin

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - click to purchase here

This was my first attempt at painting strong, dramatic lighting alla prima. I had this cute pumpkin glass jar and I tucked fairy lights into it while I set up my black box in my bathroom to give the appropriate level of darkness to let this piece shine. 8/52

Cornfield

6x8in. oil on Ampersand gessoboard - sold

This painting marks the beginning of my 2022 October Plein Air painting challenge! This month I plan on making four 6x8in. plein air paintings, starting with this one. I really liked the way the shadows stretched on the harvested cornfield from the rows of trees.

Mountain Study

8x6in. oil on Ampersand gessoboard - click to purchase here

This is another Paint Coach Patreon tutorial that I completed in order to study for this year's October Plein Air challenge! I highly recommend checking out his YouTube channel.

White Rose Study

 

4x4in. oil on canvas - click to purchase here

Followed along to a Paint Coach Patreon tutorial. I highly recommend checking him out on YouTube.

The Batman

 

12x16in. oil on Trekell Baltic birch panel - not available

I really loved Robert Pattinson's The Batman, and not just because he's RPatz. Saw this promotional photo and I had to paint it for myself! 

Please note: this is a piece in my personal collection and I do not own the rights to this photo reference - therefore I will not be offering prints of this painting.

Valentine's Day Candies

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - click to purchase here

I love cherry heart lollipops! Candies featured in this painting are the cherry heart lollipops, M&Ms and cookies and crème Hershey's hearts. 7/52

Sunflowers & Roses

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - available as a print soon

Valentine's Day is a big celebration in my house due to my birthday being the following day. My fiancé always gets me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and I wanted to try my hand at my first-ever still life set up painting session! It was really difficult but it's such an important exercise. Excited to do more of these! 6/52

Candy Hearts

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - click to purchase here

I actually love candies like conversation hearts and candy corn. My fiancé may make fun of me for my "terrible candy taste" but that means more for me! 5/52

Blueberry Gin Punch

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - sold

I made this blueberry gin punch for the weekend my fiancé and I played Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Housed in my favorite Woodford Reserve glass, this tasty wintery cocktail hit the spot. 4/52

Illuminated Halloween Skull

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - available as a print soon

Halloween-time is my favorite season and this was the first Halloween my fiancé and I celebrated together. 3/52

 

White Lilies from Papillion

 

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - click to purchase here

White lilies are one of my favorite flowers. I'd love to make a Silent Princess flower painting from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! 2/52

Sunset on Park Avenue and Dewey Street

 

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - click to purchase here

Midwestern sunsets in the big city are quite breathtaking. 1/52