Yesterday, I made a decision that I’ve been avoiding for a while: I officially announced that I’m no longer taking on commissions, starting next year… well, starting now, really. And the moment I hit “post,” it felt like a weight slid right off my shoulders.
Truth be told, I’d been irritable all day and couldn’t figure out why. That kind of restless mood where everything feels just a little too loud and a little too much. So I decided to slow down, be gentle with myself, and reset.
Bubble Baths, Cat Fountains, and a Moment of Peace
I drew a warm Epsom salt eucalyptus bubble bath, turned on meditation music, lit some candles, and let myself unwind. The cats’ food and water fountain are located in the bathroom, and the quiet trickle of the fountain added an unexpectedly perfect element of spa-like ambiance.
That bath was exactly what I needed.
Afterward, I climbed into bed with Dynamic Still Life for Artists by Sarah Sedwick, who I adore. I love her and Carol Marine’s loose, confident painting styles. After rereading a few sections for a little refresher, I found myself on YouTube, watching Sarah paint for an hour. She’s such a gifted artist, and even more so, an incredible teacher. I soaked up every minute of it.
Retail Therapy, Artist Edition
By this morning, I could not wait for Michael’s to open. Did I already have paint supplies at home? Of course. Did I still need retail therapy? Obviously.
I wandered the aisles in pure bliss… new brushes, new paints, canvases on sale (score!), and, yes… a new easel. Do I already own multiple easels? Absolutely. Did I need this one? You betcha.
My next stop was the grocery store to pick up items for a still life. Sarah Sedwick’s garlic-and-lime painting was living rent-free in my mind, so I grabbed garlic, limes, and some gorgeous red onions.
When I got home, I proudly told my husband how much I saved, and he replied, “Yeah, but how much did you spend?” And honestly… can you really put a price tag on my happiness? Haha. Yes, I spent a pretty penny, but I did save a lot too. Girl math.
Setting Up the Studio Again
Upstairs, I started assembling my new easel only to realize near the end that I put two major pieces on backwards. In true “me” fashion, I disassembled and fixed it with a laugh.
Next, I tackled my oil painting palette… which still had dried paint on it from two years ago. Two. Years. It’s been that long since I’ve worked with oils. But today was the day I changed that.
Before diving into my still life, I wanted to warm up by copying a painting I found on Pinterest. I don’t know the artist’s name, but the piece looked like it was built over multiple sessions with beautiful white and orange glazes. I figured it would be the perfect piece to ease myself back into the flow; one layer today, then another after it dries.
My Still Life: Purple and Green and Everything In Between
Originally I planned to use the garlic and onions, but nothing looked right in my setup. So I switched gears, sliced an onion, grabbed a couple limes, and instantly loved the mix of purples and greens.
I aimed for a triadic color palette and decided to limit myself to just a few paints:
- Cadmium Yellow
- Alizarin Crimson Permanent
- Ultramarine Blue
- Zinc White
- Ivory Black (which I treat like a blue, not a black)
- Raw Sienna for the sketch and under painting
I’m not a color theory expert… far from it. The biggest reason I love digital painting is because I don’t have to mix colors. Pick a color, change your mind, pick another one. Easy. Mixing oils is… well… a whole different beast.
I’ve watched Marco Bucci’s videos on color and lighting more times than I can count, and I still feel like I’m only halfway grasping the lessons. But that’s exactly why I’m doing this: to grow, to learn, and to make oil painting feel as natural as breathing someday.
The Painting Session
My phone alarm goes off every 2.5 hours to remind me to eat. Conveniently, it dinged right as I finished setting up the studio. After a quick meal, I jumped right in.
Painting is HARD. I’ll say it again… painting is HARD. Sarah and Carol make it look effortless, but even they admit it’s a challenge.
My underpainting could’ve used a bit more work, but I was itching to get to the fun part: color.
Before starting the final piece, I took the time to plan out my composition in a tinted sketchbook with a permanent marker and white paint pen. I wanted to really think through the crop and structure before committing it to canvas.
Then I started the timelapse and got to work.
Are there things I want to fix? Absolutely. Could I nitpick it to death? Of course. But for my first oil session after two years away, I’m genuinely proud of myself.
What This Day Meant
I spent a little over 2.5 hours in the studio today, completely absorbed, completely present, and completely happy. It was exactly what my soul needed.
I’m excited… really excited, to get back into oils, to practice, to grow, and to enjoy creating for me again.
Letting go of commissions wasn’t just a scheduling choice. It was an act of self-care, a promise to my creativity, and an invitation to return to the joy of making art for myself.
I hope you enjoy the finished still life. And here’s to many, many more sessions to come.
Leave a Reply