Day 4 of the 30/30 Challenge – Carrot Cupcake
Take note carrot cake lovers (especially my husband Jay), this is for you!
The colorful orange carrot on top drew me to this cupcake today for a change of pace, not to mention its delicious taste (hint, hint to my baking daughter Bonnie). Since my Day 1 painting of the yin-yang cupcake was so successful, I decided to paint another one from the same high vantage point.
Day 4. “Crumbs Carrot Cupcake” by Beverly Shipko, Oil on panel, 6 x 6 inches.
A few unexpected “technical” issues (for lack of a better word) emerged today, which I was able to resolve.
First, there was the panel itself: Unlike Day 1 where the panel had a smooth finish, today’s panel had a textured finish. Just when I was thoroughly enjoying the freedom of butter-like paint application on the silky smooth surface, I had to switch since I’m out of the square 6 x 6 size smooth panels. Unfortunately, A.I. Friedman had such a great sale on the new smooth finish that they ran out. So I compromised and bought the textured square panels which were in stock, thinking it wouldn’t make a much of a difference, and used the first one today (the textured subject seemed like a good fit for the surface).
Wrong. While I seemed to have more control over the paint, I also felt like I was tightening up painting on this surface – which is the complete opposite of what I’m going for with this challenge. I am also missing the “look” of the other board. Can you see the difference in the surface between today and Days 1, 2, and 3? The texture is much more prominent that I would like and too uniform (artificial looking), unlike canvas. Fortunately, I just located smooth 6 x 6 panels online at Jerry’s Artarama and ordered 15 more to get through the challenge (hopefully that’s enough). It’s at times like these that I absolutely love the internet.
Second: I was making pretty good progress today in the morning when, all of a sudden when my back was turned, this panel fell off the easel! I couldn’t believe it.
Apparently, the adhesive putty I was using dried out and lost its stickiness (you can see it lying on the easel on the left). Fortunately, I was able to repair the damage to the sketch itself without too much effort since it was early in the day. Then I was able to regroup with the velcro I had on hand (thanks again, Tony, for the suggestion!) to hold the panel on the easel where it belonged, which worked well the rest of the day. Hopefully it will peel right off tomorrow. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
I feel like I am in good shape for Day 5. Tonight I even have time to sketch my next painting and watch the first episode of the Downton Abbey new season.
Life is good.