It is a rainy June Saturday morning here in the Pacific Northwest. A good day to paint! On the easel this morning is the larger version of "First Peonies."
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxhB7l8xoUqdEMbMIRcsCmACGAi5ehOmM5gM5nMMcPXEY-rnDu-tQ86um5pLxvBrPhXcoRvXVpIfvWn7ANFy3AzoQf5BnPWIprWffEjhr89_cKRioMdXq5t50vl820v5t0Z7IdF-OLwM/s400/6-13-20ArtJournalPost_Colley.jpg) |
At left, the reference photo. In the middle is the painting I'm working on and on the right is the small study I painted in preparation for the larger work. |
In November 2019, when I decided to set aside 2020 as a year of study to become a better oil painter, I enrolled in a year-long painting course with
Colley Whisson. I have long admired his art and have thoroughly enjoyed working with him.
I submit the painting to Colley for critique and he makes great suggestions about how it can be a stronger painting. Most of the time I take his advice and paint more on the same painting or, if I am happy with my original version, I paint the same scene again. That was the case with "Yellow Mug and Lemon."
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrRLzYELnosy_E18Ne3dDMBcHhCjar6w0B79lcqx3U-nCAgIH2GRjUcIrxhYf7ondFiSqCbXmrtSoAj1mfBf__N5JfAg5llrjTXFl_vyF1vEO4Z65jU6ViMj9UPlI6uaR7D3OxPZjjh0/s400/YellowMugCompare.jpg) |
At left, my original. At right, second version after advice. |
NOTE: Once I incorporate his suggestions, it is no longer my work - it becomes classroom work and not eligible for competition. I can show the work, sell the work, but I can't enter it into a competitive show
as my original work. Carefully read a prospectus when entering shows. Most professional shows (that are juried and judged for awards) will state that work must be the original work of the artist.
I recently painted "June Morning." Colley made some good suggestions but I didn't make those changes to the painting or paint it again using his advice because I wanted it to be my original work.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE2-3iPB25LM6k_v8nIhc0UGM0Q9ODB6f-Mlhcz_7ZNw0ggJLMbCoAxuIjcubMs3YAn5dgsw7j1yMjbKHNeRM-b54cha9cgNQ_5s3SbOSjk1BbbCCaHc__gwo30XTpmjAQNetdtTt-Ck/s400/O-2020-6-10JuneMorning_10x8_144.jpg) |
"June Morning," oil on panel, 10x8 inches |
So, back to "First Peonies," the painting on my easel this morning shown at the top of this post. I painted it once, submitted it for critique and I am now painting it again (larger) incorporating my mentor's advice. I am a huge fan of mentoring and I try to apply what I have learned from my mentor as I begin each new painting. Happy painting to you.
By the way, I had to disable comments by others on this blog because of spam. You can still reach me by email. Barbara Newton at Comcast DOT net.