Normally I share art from my journal but I recently completed this piece and thought I would share. It is (I believe) 18×24″ oil on canvas. I generally gesso my canvases, then do an underpainting in acrylic, and then do the oils on top. I have heard various reasons for doing underpaintings, but I mainly just do it because I’m used to it now. I also use it as an opportunity to experiment with different starting colours. For this one I chose a burnt yellow that I love, but in this case, with the greens over top, it did not make for a pleasing colour to start. I generally love doing hot pink and leaving little hints to show, but then I also like to experiment and see what else I can work into my style, depending on the painting.

This painting was originally going to be a field of daisies, but the composition was eluding me, so eventually I added mountains and toned down what had been a busy sky. I really love including elements of mosaics in my paintings, as I have in the foreground. Originally I had painted the daisies quite precisely but they looked too contrived, so I really loosened up on them and love the effect. Every painting is an opportunity for problem-solving, and an opportunity to grow and learn. I had missed painting, and I’m glad I got back to it. Now to get back to art journaling!