Cheetahs color study by Alison Nicholls, actual size 11 x 17"

Finally...painting!

The color study is one of my favorite stages of a painting. It gives me a chance to experiment, using paint in a very loose manner. Often there are elements of the color study that I prefer to the finished painting. Many artists will tell you this, that there is something more spontaneous about the study. Perhaps because there is no pressure. I am usually working on a scrap of paper rather then a more imposing painting-ready board. If it fails I just do it again. And of course, because there is no pressure, they rarely fail!

I keep my color studies, pinning them on my studio noticeboard. And one day, I hope I'll manage to consistently get the same spontaneity into my full-sized paintings. That will be a great day!

Until next time...
Alison

Wildlife and Conservation Artist
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Nicholls Wildlife Art