Back to the Quick Studies

Heritage Barn, 5x7  Nov 2017

A Year AGO almost to THE Day, we began Art Quick Studies



I find great value in painting small Quick Studies which is something that I started doing almost exactly a year ago. In 2016 we started with 5 Quick Study Members, today we have 10 Members! I am so proud of the Quick Study painters, artists who post and comment on our Quick Studies each week. I have learned that the term "small works" has a different meaning for each artist. I love a nice little 5x7 canvas panel (Centurion) whereas my friend Janet can whip out a 'small' 8x10 in no time!

Bright Fall 7x5 Nov 2017

I feel that I have become a more decisive plein air painter --in part due to the practice of Quick Studies. Unfortunately, I got so busy in August and September that I went way off track and lost my Quick Study mojo! I did not get any Quick Studies done for several months! Oh no!

I have to get back to the twice a week, one hour each, small quick study. I REALLY do believe there is value in this biweekly painting practice.

What I have learned from painting Quick Studies:

• FAST DECISIONS: They help me to make fast decisions when plein air painting. I did many Quick Studies before my first Paint Out this year, I think they helped me out in the field.
• It is EASY TO START a Quick study, most I complete at home with a one hour timer. Although I did complete a Quick Study during the plein air paint out--I had just enough time to do one! Also, it is a great way to start or finish a plein air day, this is a good painting warm-up exercise.
• COMPOSITIONS seem to come more easily to me when I plein air paint.
• LESS PRESSURE: There is less pressure to make a 'perfect' painting when it is a Quick Study
• SCHEDULE: One hour of painting works into my schedule (most of the time). I NEED to make time for these!
• SMALL WORKS ARE SHOW WORTHY: Many area galleries have annual Small Works shows, I have a Quick Study in a show right now!
• FUN: The Quick Paintings are fun to do! 

Here's to one more successful year of Quick Studies - paint on!