Saturday, July 04, 2009

Rock challenge

Today was a beautiful day depending on where you were. I left home in bright warm sun and arrived 5 minutes later at the beach in Flatrock where the fog was rolled in and got thicker and thicker as I sat there. I was determined to do a little plein air painting, so with billows of fog floating around me, I made a very quick watercolour of some of the rocks partly submerged in the sea. Literally, as I was painting, the fog was obscuring my view of the scene so I eventually admitted defeat and this is the final result of about 20 minutes work.


I want to spend more time concentrating on painting and drawing rocks. They are a constant in the waterscapes that I draw and I never seem to do them well. I know its all down to practice and I am determined to work on the structure and colour of rocks around me. I played around with the start of this large cliff last night and will work on more details over the next few days. I wanted it loose, but still to have the ability to 'read' as rock.


So I thought I'd throw it open as a challenge to any others who want to hone their rock skills. Create rocks in whatever medium you like, look at shapes, planes, values, texture, colour. Small beach pebbles or large cliffs, I would love to see them all. This will helps us learn from each other.

I think about a month should provide enough time to tackle rocks, so August 4th do you think? Then simply add a link to your drawing or painting in the comment section of this post when you're done and I will create a post with the links to individuals work then.

30 comments:

Kaye said...

Great Idea! I will definitley try this study! I can't wait to see other studies also!

Jennifer Rose said...

sounds like a good idea, I'm going to try to get a few drawings done :)

Gesa said...

Oh... I love rocks. I also think that those changing weather conditions are such a neat challenge... how to keep changing a painting (or not). I've just arrived in Berlin and am settling in, but sure to find some rocks between now and early August...

Jo Castillo said...

Your foggy rocks are great. I love the whitecaps on the water. I hope to do some rocks, too. Will let you know. Thanks.

vivien said...

I'm in too :>)

Laura Frankstone said...

Rocks and water have been a theme of mine for almost a year, so I'm familiar with the challenge! Count me in!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks to everyone for joining in. I know I'll learn a lot from all your rocks!

Lindsay said...

I'm in and I love your work here! The fog painting expecially has loads of atmosphere. And Happy 1000!

Jean Spitzer said...

Okay, I'll try. No shortage of models, and they work cheap.

Jeanette Jobson said...

I'm sure your rocks will be amazing Lindsay and thanks.

Great to have you join in Jean. Rocks are the best models - cheap and they never complain. :)

Maree Clarkson said...

Hi Jeanette, your rocks are lovely and thanks for offering this opportunity to focus on rocks - they've always been a favourite subject of mine.

Here's my first link : SEASCAPE - http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/05/daily-maters-weekend-project.html

Maree Clarkson said...

Hi Jeannette, another entry for the Rock Challenge - I will be putting in a few entries until I've exhausted my current posts. Lighthouse in Acrylics : http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/06/trying-something-new-acrylics.html
Thanks and regards

Maree Clarkson said...

Hi Jeanette, my third entry posted today : Shaka's Rock - http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/rock-challenge-shakas-rock.html

Regards

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks for the wonderful images and words Maree.

Maree Clarkson said...

H there, my rock challenge entry for today - 'Cascades' : http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/rock-challenge-cascades.html

Maree Clarkson said...

Hi Jeanette, my ROCK CHALLENGE for today : Stormy Seas : http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/rock-challenge-stormy-seas.html

You perhaps know that I picked your blog up from Vivien's site for the Paint-or-sketch-a-tree-challenge, so I'm really running around the area looking for trees and rocks!

Regards

Jeanette Jobson said...

You are on a roll Maree! Wow, I have some catching up to do! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow this is a great idea Jeanette, Rocks are great to do,all the shapes,colours and contours provide constant inspiration, so methinks as I live by the sea I might give this a go.

Making A Mark said...

a great idea for a challenge and I'm only sorry I've only just got round to it.

I think fog and sea go together - maybe a special category for foggy rocks - in which case I already have an entry!

Charlene Brown said...

Here's my entry http://charlenebrownpainting.blogspot.com/2009/07/rock-challenge.html

laura said...

A great challenge. I'm a lifelong rock collector; have always been fascinated by them--and have found them very hard to paint every time I try to paint the jetties on the beach.
And the "rocks" I painted in New Mexico look more like pink-icinged cakes!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Wonderful piece Charlene. I'm glad you could join in.

Katherine, I remember this piece. I loved it then and still do.

Vic, yes, do add something. Like me, you have no excuse if you're near the sea!

Laura, rocks are endlessly fascinating, from small details of pebbles to huge rock cliffs.

harry bell said...

Great idea. I love drawing rocks, too, often in association with trees. Here's a link to my contribution: http://alturl.com/q88e

Maree Clarkson said...

Hi Jeanette, here's a link for probably my last entry in the Rock Challenge - really enjoyed doing one of my favourite subjects!

'Rocky Outcrop'
http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/rock-challenge-rocky-outcrop.html

Regards

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Harry and Maree, wonderful images. The rocks are endless!

Ann said...

This was just the inspiration I needed! I have completed my rock challenge and it is posted here
http://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/2009/07/zen-stones.html

Maree said...

Hi Jeanette, I think this really is the last link for the Rock Challenge!
"The Matopos" - http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/matopos.html

Regards,

Jennifer Rose said...

I had a lot of fun with this challenge, here are 2 posts I made with my rock drawings in them

http://fuzzydragons.blogspot.com/2009/07/uncle-fred.html
Link


http://fuzzydragons.blogspot.com/2009/07/spotted-rocks-finished.html
Link

anz said...

Hi Jeanette,
It's a bit late for me to join the challenge, but I'll try the theme anyway. Lovely rocks! I hope I can get your opinion on my works, sometime. And very good tutorials, by the way. Thanks for that.

Jeanette Jobson said...

You are prolific Maree!

Jennifer, wonderful images love the detail.

Maria, its never too late. Simply add your link and I'll put it on with the others when I get a chance.