Painting "Dailies"

by Bobbi Dunlop on 1/23/2010 6:21:50 PM2 Comments

"Two and A Half Shallots", Daily #3, oil on linen on panel, 4 1/4 x 9 inches
SOLD

"Windmill Blue", Daily #2, oil on panel, 6 x 8 inches

Daily #1, oil on linen on panel, 5 1/4 x 6 3/4
Recently I've been preparing for my next workshop, "Painting Dailies". While planning the workshop I've experienced a renewed excitement for these miniature masterpieces. Yesterday I could hardly wait to get to my studio to paint a 'Daily' again; it's been awhile. Here is the finished painting, untitled at this point. It is so satisfying to paint these tiny gems... and even more fun to share it with you.

I don't have a formula when painting a 'daily', it really depends on what other pieces I'm working on and how much time I have. When I was regularly painting them several years ago, I aimed at painting one 'Daily' per week while I was working on larger gallery pieces. This seemed to work best for me at the time.

Yesterday I began this one and painted it alla prima (all in one go) in a few hours. Tomorrow I hope to have a new one to post for you.

Artists around the world have been smitten by the 'Daily Painting' bug, inspired by the father of the 'Painting A Day' movement (PAD), American artist, Duane Keiser . There are no rules in daily painting...no daily painting 'police' out there telling you that you must complete a painting today or even this week. But I can't think of a more fun way to rapidly improve skills, create discipline and keep your work fresh.

Typically, 'Dailies' are painting in the following sizes: 6x8, 5x7, 5x5, 6x6 and other odd small sizes.

I'm really looking forward to my 'Dailies' workshop. The date is February 27th and 28th, 2010 and there are still a few spaces open - class size max 6-7 students.

To find out more about my upcoming workshops please click on 'Events and Workshops' on this site. Please contact me by using the 'contact' link for further details.

My father, who passed away this past October at the age of 92 years, passed along his great love of horses to me. As I've mentioned in previous posts, as young artist horses were the subject of many of my paintings; many of them my Dad's. The hearts of artists and poets throughout the ages have been captivated by the beauty, power and grace of these wonderful creatures.

My Dad had such a way with them, such a gentle touch; it was apparent to all who knew him. Now, I do not see a horse without thinking of my Dad and the all I paint them, I think of him, as well.

As a still life painter, the Tang Dynasty horse has become a great source of inspiration for me. Within the Tang society (China 618-906AD) the horse played an important role and was revered for their vigor and strength. They symbolized strength and status, as well as reflected on the personality of their owners and the prosperous and powerful Tang Dynasty itself.

Ceramic models of the owner's horse have been found preserved in their tombs. Upon death, many Chinese horsemen were buried with clay horse sculptures and horses on which human figures are mounted, occupy a special place. These would often be found either preceding or following the coffin.

The Tang horse portrayed in my painting "Tang Dynasty Prancer", 12x12, oil on linen, is not an authentic Tang horse but a reproduction which occupies a special place in my studio and which I treasure nonetheless. I've painted a number of them which I'll display in future posts.

I hope you enjoy their elegant, and often dramatic, beauty as much as I enjoy sculpting them with paint. For me, with each brushstroke, the ancient horse comes to life.

This painting is available for purchase at: [Space]Untitled or for further information please email me at bobbi@bobbidunlop.com

Painting "Dailies"

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