My Experience Doing The 100 Heads Challenge and How It Nearly Broke Me!!!
A few months ago, as I was working my way through Sari Shryack’s “Not Sorry Art School’s” phenomenal course and particularly the portraits module, I decided to do the 100 heads challenge in order to improve my skill in drawing heads faster. I also wanted to finally force myself to start a challenge, any kind of challenge, as I’ve been thing about it for a while. As much as I love my sketchbook as a safe place to experiment and make mistakes, I find that I tend to not stick with a consistent practice as often as I should. So I thought a challenge would not only compel me to open my sketchbook everyday, but posting my progress on social media would also hold me accountable. Plus as I was doing Not Sorry Art School’s portraits course, I thought there must be a technical almost scientific method to correctly render facial proportions. That led me to research (and by research I mean watching countless YouTube tutorials) the Loomis method, which then inevitably led me to the 100 heads challenge.
The “Southwest” Collection, Original Acrylic on Canvas, 12” x 12”
“Southwest” collection, a series of 5 acrylic paintings on 12” x 12” canvas, depicting the beauty of the Southwest region of the US. Read my blog post about the process of creating those paintings.
“Coasts of North America” Collection, Original Acrylic on Canvas, 12” x 12”
“Coasts of North America” collection, a series of 5 acrylic paintings on 12” x 12” canvas, depicting the beauty of the North American coasts. Read my blog post about the process of creating those paintings.
“Lilies in the Morning”, Acrylic on stretched canvas, 24” x 36”
Blog post about the process behind my acrylic floral painting, "Lilies in the Morning", acrylic on stretched canvas, 24" x 36"
“Beauty All Around Me”, mixed media (water mixable oil and acrylic) on stretched canvas, 36” x 36”
Read about the concept and inspiration behind my latest painting, "Beauty All Around Me", mixed media (oil and acrylic) on stretched canvas, 36" x 36"
Monstera on Pink, water mixable oil on stretched canvas, 18” x 24”
“Painting Small and Often” Collection, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, 9” x 12”
I had recently came across Carol Marine’s book “Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often to Become a More Creative, Productive and Successful Artist”. It was exactly what I needed, as I was starting to feel stagnant with a botanical painting I’ve been reworking over and over. I wanted to break out of the rut and dive into more dynamic, expressive work full of quick, energetic and textured brushstrokes, which is my favorite way to paint.
Sketchbook-ing and perfectionism
For many years now, ever since I started my art journey, I’ve kept sketchbooks. Those sketchbooks were my mini canvasses when I just didn’t feel up to painting something large scale.
Noureen, portrait, acrylic on canvas board, 12” x 12”
A few days ago I took an old 12” by 12” canvas board on which I had done a painting from a tutorial years ago and I applied a layer of gesso to it in preparation for a new painting
RAW Artists Showcase Levitate February 2024
Underwater Dreams
Five steps from the shore,
I dive and enter another world.
A world defined by silence and riotous color
On Sudan
My land, my home, my African heart
You gave me language, character.
You straddled two worlds like a giant.
To My Younger Self
One day you will think,
“I am a fuse in the centre of an armed camp.”
One day you will feel like the panther in Rilke’s poem,
First Love
You walked into my garden much later in life.
I didn’t expect that.
After we’ve lived way past all our illusions
Forever…
Forever is the word we whisper to our children
As they fall asleep to the sound of sonic booms.
It is the only gift we can give them, a promise of continuity
"Soul of the Soul", Acrylic on stretched canvas, 12" x 8"
This next piece, "Soul of the Soul", acrylic on stretched canvas, 12" x 8", is based on the viral image and video of the Palestinian man holding the body of a little girl in his arms and calling her the "soul of his soul".
Raw Artists LEVITATE Art Showcase Feb 3, 2024
Once again, I’ve been selected to showcase my work in the upcoming RAW Artists Levitate Art Showcase on February 3, 2024 at Theatre Paradoxe.
Still life with Cactus, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 12” x 16”
I find myself increasingly drawn to still life, perhaps due to its relative feasibility. After all, I do not really have to contend with atmospheric perspective or portraying distance as I would with landscapes.
Magnolia Studies - Garden Blooms Collection- Acrylic on stretched canvas 10” x 12”
My next paintings is a set of 2 small magnolia studies painted with acrylic paint on stretched canvas that I stretched myself, both 10" x 12". The first painting is called "Magnolia Study I", loosely based on a royalty free image.
"Garden Blooms" - Acrylic on stretched canvas, 20” x 20”
The "Garden Blooms" set consists of 4 floral acrylic paintings, the first 2 of which are on 20" x 20" square canvasses. I wanted to experiment with different painting techniques and compare and contrast them. One painting was a relatively tight painting with more visible details and texture and the other is a looser more dynamic painting with quick brushstrokes and minimal texture.