It feels like months since I’ve painted and, really, it has been. So getting back to the easel has been high on my priority list. And this week, that’s just what I did! After such a long break, getting back to the easel feels both exciting and daunting, but I’m looking forward to sharing the outcome and what helped me finally take that first step.
The last time I was at my easel was in early October for our annual 31 paintings in 31 days challenge. For the first time, I didn’t complete it. Instead, I managed a few pieces and then, with upcoming travel and my commitment to my IGNITE! members, I spent the remaining weeks preparing tutorials on the Elements and Principles of Art for my time away. Then I was off teaching in Tuscany and travelling to the UK.
When I returned home at the end of November, life took a turn. Instead of getting back into the studio, there were visits to my Dad in hospital, Christmas with family, Dad’s transition to palliative care, and his passing on 31st December. January became a month of supporting my Mum and moving through grief. And yet, throughout it all, I kept yearning to get back to the easel.
One of my big goals for 2025 is to get into my studio consistently and paint. While that sounds a little vague, just stepping up to the easel is a big win for now. I’ll refine this goal to make it more specific and measurable, but for now, starting is everything.
I have lots of painting ideas swirling in my mind—including one exploring my recent experience with death and dying. But first, I had a commission to tackle!
The person who requested the painting already owns a small pastel I made of one of her two dogs – Tessa. She wanted a matching piece of her other dog, Rufus. After finding a suitable reference photo from the many she sent (most were adorable but not ideal as painting material), I got to work.
Here’s the framed painting of Tessa.
At 6 x 9 inches, the size of the painting is small which made it a challenge! But it was a challenge I enjoyed. We always learn when we paint. We always see more when we work. We always learn more about using our pastels when we get to work at the easel.
The Reference Photo and Adjustments
Here’s the photo I chose. I love how the colours of Rufus’s fur contrast with the colour of the sofa. As much as I like the light on the plant to the right, I felt it would be just too distracting – I wanted the attention on Rufus! So I needed to adjust for that.
So here’s the thumbnail. You’ll notice how I simplified the background, choosing a middle value to keep the focus on the star of the painting. I kept a small part of the white pillow light so as to create contrast against Rufus’s dark back but I muted much of it to a middle value so it wouldn’t stand out too starkly.
Colour Choices for the Underpainting
For the dry underpainting layer, I leaned into the sofa’s colour, pushing it toward blue-green to complement Rufus’s red-orange fur. Much of the middle value was shared between the sofa, Rufus, and the background, so I used blue-green for those areas. The darks (sofa and Rufus’s face and dark fur) became a deeper blue-green. The light area is also on Rufus and the sofa and I just thought what the heck, I’m going to use a blue-green there as well!
Building the Painting
From there, I slowly built the piece, focusing at first on the big shapes.
Then, I began adding details.
Finally, I refined the details of Rufus’s fur, made further adjustments to his head, and fiddled about with everything else! Tricky stuff working so small with big pastel sticks! Finally it was finished as far as I was concerned.
And here are the Unison Colour pastels I used.
Ohhhh, it feels so good to get back to my easel. I feel like the flow has started again.
When you’ve been away from painting for awhile, sometimes stepping up to the easel can be the hardest part. But breaking that Untouched Easel Syndrome opens the floodgates. From there, the thing is to carve out time to keep the momentum going and make sure I get back to my easel. That’s my focus as I recommit to making art in 2025.
How about you? Have you struggled with getting back to the easel after a break? What helped you return? Share your tips in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time!
~ Gail
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