Painting practice · An independent notebook

A little time with color

A thoughtful collection of original notes on small still-life studies and limited palettes. Begin with a small observation, then make room for a closer look.

Explore the journal

small still-life studies and limited palettes — an original illustration — ILLUSTRATED STUDY / 13PIGMENT PAUSE

“A small question can open a much larger page.”

From the journal

A closer look.

All six notes

01Observe

A bowl in three shapes

Reduce a bowl and its shadow to a few flat areas.

02Observe

A two-color palette

Mix a small range from two familiar colors.

03Practice

A broad shadow map

Paint the largest shadow before small details.

04Practice

A soft and hard edge

Compare two edges on the same simple shape.

05Reflect

A second bowl study

Change the background while keeping the bowl in place.

06Reflect

A still-life palette note

Label the colors beside a small sketch of the arrangement.

A note from the notebook

Start where you are.

Keep a sketchbook and familiar paints nearby. This collection begins with a simple bowl and a simple idea: attention is something you can practice.

Find a starting point