The intention of these painting projects is to encourage you to explore new subjects and techniques, to challenge yourself. Note that all paintings submitted will be deemed to be available for critique, though comments will not always be given.
You'll notice each month also lists projects from previous years. You're obviously very welcome to tackle these painting projects too. If submissions are still being accepted for a project, there will be a link to the online submission form on the page. Another option for feedback is to post a photo in the projects folder in the Painting Forum.
January Painting Project 2013: Opaque Colors
Photo © Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc.
Previous January Painting Projects:
• Three Colors
• Monochrome
• Chromatic Black
• Limited Color Palette (lemon yellow, phthalo blue, burnt sienna)
• A Color and Its Complementary
February Painting Project: Love Symbolism
Photo © Marion Boddy-Evans
This challenge of annual painting project is to create a painting or card to give to someone you love. Read project instructions...
Previous February Painting Projects:
• Scribble Painting
• Expressive Self-Portraits
• Expressive Figures
• Expressive Portraits
February/March Painting Project 2013: Opaque-Colors Portraits
The challenge of painting project is to paint a portrait using opaque colors. Read instructions...
Previous Painting Projects:
• Moods
• Inside a Forest
• Big Brush Painting
• Knife Painting (Open Subject)
• Knife Painting: Essence of a Season
• Trees
• Clouds and Cloudy Skies
• Changing Seasons
• Portrait of a Flower (with photos of setup)
• Painting Done from Sketches or Studies (open subject)
April/May Painting Project 2013: Abstracted Landscapes
Seeing Red by © Marion Boddy-Evans
Last year we worked at abstracting nature generally, and the year before that with geometric abstracts. This April/May takes us into abstracting landscapes, an overall scene not a close-up detail. Read the project instructions...
Previous Painting Projects:
• Geometric Abstracts
• Abstracting Flowers
• Abstracting Nature I and Abstracting Nature II
• Abstracting a City Scene
• Abstracting an Urban Scene
June/July Painting Project 2012: Painting Done from Sketches
Photo © Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc.
This project will be similar to the Painting Done from Sketches or Studies in that you need to include a photo showing your sketches or studies when planning the composition, as well as the photo of your final painting. This year's subject is seasons, and be sure to read the instructions before submitting a painting.
Previous Painting Projects:
• Impressionist Sun Painting Project
• Urban Transportation
• Unusual Angles
• Realistic Water Drops
• Landscapes
• Children's Book Illustration
• Summer Amusement
August Painting Project 2012: Tall & Short Still Life
Photo by Imagno/Getty Images
August is still life month. Last year the challenge was to paint a still life with at least one paint tube. This year the focus is on composition. Read details...
Previous Still Life Painting Projects:
• Paint Tube Still Life
• Still Life with Two Objects
• Still Life with Fruit
• Still Life with Blue
• Still Life With Red
• Still Life Featuring a Chair
Miniature Painting Project
Photo © Deb Griffin
Buy Direct:
• Blank Miniature Canvas
• Miniature Brush: Sable, Synthetic
Previous September Painting Projects:
• Miniature Landscapes
• Miniature Still Life with Five Objects
• Miniatures (Open Subject)
October Project 2012: In the Style of Van Gogh
Photo © Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc.
Last year's "in the style of" project took a look at the still life paintings of the Italian artist Morandi. This year we're going into intense color and expressive mark making with Van Gogh. Read the instructions...
Previous October Painting Projects:
• Still Life in the Style of Morandi
• In the Style of LS Lowry
• In the Style of Matisse
• In the Style of Whistler
• Tribute to Van Gogh
November Painting Project 2012: Mixed Media
Photo ©2011 Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc.
Previous November Painting Projects:
• Using Color Expressively (Like a Fauvist)
• Moods
• Mixed Media: Open Subject
• Linocut Printing
December Painting Project: Holiday Cards
The December project that runs from year to year is to Make Your Own Holiday Cards to send out. Find out more here...New this year will be a project to create a 2011 calendar featuring paintings you've made. Watch this space for details...
