Make Time for a Painting Break in Busy Times

'Color in the Park'             8x10                  pastel               ©Karen Margulis
available $150

 It can be done. Carving out some time to paint in the midst of the busy holiday season isn't easy but it is possible. I am in the middle of my annual studio clean up. I have stuff everywhere but I am making progress. On top of the clean up project I am working on plans for workshops and online instruction for 2019. And I am getting the house ready to have my granddaughter come over when my daughter returns to work (she is a 1st grade teacher) I am trying not to get overwhelmed! 

You would think there was no time to paint. But my easel calls to me. I can fit it in if I think about painting time a bit differently. I can certainly find 20 minutes to paint. It is the perfect break from cleaning. Painting a quick study gives me a break, satisfies my pastel craving and allows me to access the intuitive painter in me.  Often we do better work than we thought possible if we limit our time spent on the painting. We don't have time to over- think!

My reference photo

Today I took a break after lunch and spent 20 minutes working on this painting of colorful winter trees in my favorite Chicago park. I had already done the underpainting by coating an old failed painting with clear gesso. I found it in a pile of discards and it made the perfect piece of board for a quick study.

Quick studies are made for busy times. Pastels make it easy to paint and leave things alone. Clean-up is too easy.  It is a great habit to start. Make time for a painting break. You'll be glad you did!

Painting notes:  Mystery paper with clear gesso texture. Terry Ludwig pastels and Diane Townsends for the snow.

I added a coat of clear gesso to seal the failed painting and to add texture