I have been looking for inspiration and may have found it on my kitchen counter in the form of apples. Often the most obvious and what is often thought of as the most simple subject, is overlooked.
Apples are frequently drawn or painted but often not well as we hurry past the simple shapes and don't really examine them to create the detail in light, reflections and colour that they deserve.So as it is September and apples are ripening in many parts of
the western world, I'm throwing open the blog to an apple challenge. Any size, shape, colour. Any medium, any support. The rock challenge gave me a lot to think about viewing other people's approaches to a subject and I believe that this will be similar.I think a month should give enough time to get a good harvest of apples, so October 15 will be the deadline. Simple add a comment and a link to your piece on your blog and at the end of the time I will do a post and list all the entries.
Is anyone game?
Jeanette, this sounds great. Apples are always my "fall back" when I can't think of what to paint. I love them. Thanks, I'll check back for when to post!
ReplyDeleteI just might have to take you up on this.
ReplyDeleteGreat Jo, I hope you do join in. And you can post anytime between now and October 15th.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would love you to do so Robin.
Apples are one of my favorite subjects--so appealing and ready to hand; and this is a great photo to work from! I really look forward to joining in. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLaura, great to have you join in. I used this photos just as a photo to set up the post, not meant to be used as a reference to draw. However, feel free to draw it if you want.
ReplyDeleteI anticipate people using their own references or drawing from life seeing apples should be plentiful this time of year!
If I can find the time I will definitely be drawing some apples. There are always a dozen around here since hubby loves them :)
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed the rock challenge and now have my apples ready to draw. If I get my drawing completed in time I will certainly post here :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever painted an apple that looked right at the end. Perhaps it's time to take up this challenge and see if I can slow down and see the apple for what it is. Your charcoal drawings is wonderful - how can you make something look juicy without color? :) Of course, now I want a caramel apple! ha ha
ReplyDeleteHere's my apple , Jeanette and thanks for getting me to pick up a brush again :)
ReplyDeleteHi. I was directed to your fab blog by the lovely Vivien Blackburn.
ReplyDeleteHere's my first quick offering - hoping to have time to have a better go before the challenge ends. I surprised myself how much I enjoyed doing that :-)
http://nickipaints.blogspot.com/2009/09/apple-challenge.html
Nicki
Jennifer and Ann, I hope you'll have time to join in.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, now is the chance to tackle an apple - even a caramel apple! :)
I love charcoal and its ability to be delicate and strong at the same time.
Robyn, your apple is beautiful. The colours and shape is wonderful and makes me want to pick it up. You need the brush and it needs you. They are never far apart.
Nicki, I'm so glad you stopped by and left an apple. Its a wonderful apple, full of colour and life. Thank you.
Jeanette, I am only starting in painting and in e-challenges and find it to be so interesting and teaching, and learning new people -talented artists and generous critiques is another great experience. Thank you very much for new opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThis is my link http://irinapictures.blogspot.com/2009/09/hunger-to-paint.html . Not sure, but I think it is from the photo I took at fantastic WetCanvas. I will be honoured if I see your reaction.
With all your kind encouragement, Jeanette I have painted the next stage of my apple's life.
ReplyDeleteApple Sliced
Now Dermott is going to eat it!
After reading Robyn's post, I had to come over here and see :)
ReplyDeleteI have an apple drawing too!
Equinox
Your apples are bright and colourful against the blue Irina. Thanks for joining in.
ReplyDeleteYour watercolours are always perfection Robyn. I hope there is more life left in this apple still.
Spinneretta, I'm glad you were curious enough to drop by and see. And thank you for contributing a wonderful image. The contrast between the apple and pepper really pulls me in. I like it a lot.
Hi Jeanette. I am Gary Nemcosky and I wanted to get in on your apple challenge, so here it is: http://garynem.blogspot.com/2009/09/apple-challenge.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in Gary. Its good to see more apples and yours are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI've just heard about your blog and your "apple challenge" by fellow Everyday Matters sketchers and I would be interested . Is it possible for me to take part?
ReplyDeleteMartine
By all means Martine. I'd love to have you join in. Just draw/paint your apples then post the link to it here.
ReplyDeleteLovely charcoal sketch and beautiful oil paintings ! You do like apples ! Mine is much more modest. (ink and watercolour)Here it is:
ReplyDeletehttp://martinepittet.e-monsite.com/
Martine
They are beautiful Martine. Full of form and colour. I like them a lot.
ReplyDeleteI have completed one apple drawing for your challenge, and it's here
ReplyDeletehttp://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/2009/09/apple-time.html
Now I want to do more drawings of apples!
Great idea Jeanette!
ReplyDeleteHere is my charcoal apple .
The apples are all looking so wonderful and creative.
charcoal apple
ReplyDeleteSorry.
They are gorgeous Ann. I do like this piece a lot. Yeah, apples can be addictive once you get going. Simple things become the most complex and most appealing I find.
ReplyDeleteYour charcoal piece is wonderful Paulette. Its got a lot of strength to it. Very solid.
Just gave it a go. You can see the results here:
ReplyDeletehttp://grobuonis-eng.blogspot.com/2009/09/apple-challenge.html
Thanks for the challenge!
Thanks for joining in Grobuonis. I like the breakdown of the apple and its stages.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine! Amazing how different these all are.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun. I finally got one done.
ReplyDeletemy first
I love the charcoal and highlights on the toned paper Ernest. Wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteJo, your acrylic apples are beautiful. I'm glad you were able to fit in a painting. Thank you.
I decided to add a couple more apples to your challenge :)
ReplyDeleteThe Jacobite Rose
Fabulous apples, thanks for your contributions Spinneretta!
ReplyDeleteForgot to add mine. Thanks for the challenge Jeanette!
ReplyDeletemanaged an apple :)
ReplyDeletehttp://fuzzydragons.blogspot.com/2009/10/ha-ha.html
Hi, I have done a couple of sketches on Gene's iPhone. Here is one of an apple done in about 15 minutes (it will be faster when I figure out the program - "Brushes") It is fun for sure. Her is my Apple 2
ReplyDeleteI'm sneaking in on the tail end of this challenge!
ReplyDeleteLove doing apples and eating the references!
Here is an apple I did earlier in the month...
Apple
Hope you do another challenge.
An apple a day.... :)
ReplyDeleteYou're such an inspiration with all the variety you do!
Here's my Latest Apple. <-- how do I put a link in the comments?
http://tracywall.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/apple-and-baseball/
I managed to squeeze an apple in Jeanette! One apple, but two paintings. Here it is. (I hope.)
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies, the more the merrier!
ReplyDelete