Painting Diary
I recently started painting for the first time since I was a kid.
Thought I would track my progress here as a way to stay motivated!
Currently aiming to do a session every week or two.
2026/07/31
Still Life with Green Candle
Acrylic on canvas board, 9x12"
6 hours
Really tried pushing the colors and leaning into a more specific palette. Probably spent too much time on the fabric, this one took a really long time and still doesn't feel 100% "finished."
2026/06/07
3pm Misery (Unfinished)
Acrylic on canvas board, 9x12"
1.5 hours
There were so many mosquitoes and I don't understand how to paint plants. Gave up after 90 minutes. They can't all be winners and we need to be honest about that.
2026/05/23
Emotional Support Carrot
Realistic painting of a black and white cat laying on a fluffy blanket with a large stuffed carrot toy resting over his front paws. His hind leg is stretched out as he looks at the viewer with a relaxed expression. The bedding around him is in shades of gray and green.
Acrylic on stretched canvas, 8x8"
3 hours
Fur is difficult, especially ultra fine lines like the whiskers. Didn't push the colors as much as I would have liked on this one, first time working off a photo instead of life and that's harder for some reason. I'm happy with how much it resembles him though!
(Suggestive nature of carrot position was unintentional. Oops.)
2026/05/12
What I Had On My Counter
Realistic painting of kitchen items on a crumpled white fabric backdrop. Hints of red underpaint show through.
Acrylic on canvas board, 10x8"
3 hours
Green bananas, sprouted onion, very old lemon, mostly empty mug of water. Normal stuff. I thought still life would be easier than portraits but it really wasn't. Went a full hour overtime. I really like how the mug looks though!
2026/05/04
Portrait of Mother Painting Portrait of Me II
Bust portrait of a middle-aged white woman with blue eyes and graying brown hair in a loose ponytail. The colors are warm and unrealistically vibrant. She is wearing a gray crewneck t-shirt and looking to the left with a serious expression. The background is solid, bright red.
Acrylic on canvas board, 9x12"
2 hours
Same subject, but was more careful with the sketch! Much better likeness and proportions. Enjoyed working over the bright red wash, and doing the t-shirt fabric.
2026/04/25
Portrait of Mother Painting Portrait of Me
Loose three-quarters bust portrait of a middle-aged white woman with blue eyes and graying brown hair in a high ponytail. She is wearing a dark turtleneck sweater and looking at the viewer with a slightly parted mouth. The background is a swirled blue.
Acrylic on canvas board, 11x14"
1.5 hours
Went to a library event where you and someone else try to paint each other! Had a lot of fun, but wasn't satisfied with the proportions (the nose especially) or the placement of the figure on the canvas.