Monthly Challenge December (Patreon)

Hi everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed the vintage teacups last month. The paintings you shared in the Facebook group were so good. It always amazes me how the same reference turns into completely different paintings once everyone puts their own spin on it. Soft backgrounds, bold backgrounds, loose washes, tighter detail, they were all beautiful in their own way. I have added a few of them below so you can see what I mean.

This month we are going festive. 🎄

Your challenge is a bright green gift bow with a red ribbon. It looks simple at first glance but there is a bit of fun in those shiny reflections and soft curves.

A couple of quick tips to help you along:

Keep the highlights crisp because that gives the bow that glossy look.

Do not chase every wrinkle in the ribbon. Just suggest the flow of it and let the paint do the rest.

Squinting helps a lot with simplifying the darks and lights on the green foil.

And just a reminder for anyone who is new:

There is no tutorial for these monthly challenges.

It is all about having a go, experimenting, and building confidence without step by step guidance. You can share progress or finished pieces in the chat, Facebook group, or Discord. It is always lovely seeing what everyone creates.

You will find the reference photo and line drawing below. The photo is one I shot myself.

I cannot wait to see the Christmassy creations this month.

Happy painting,

Louise