I’m deep into painting for the 31-pastels-in-31-days Challenge. My first painting was a small vase filled with ageing flowers. I painted it. I liked the subject and the tall format and wondered what it would be like to explore a single subject in more paintings. Suddenly I was flooded with other ideas for painting this single subject and I was fascinated by this. A-ha! Blog material!
Sooooo what does it mean to explore a single subject? What are the benefits? I’ll share my thoughts with you and also show you the paintings and the progression through each.
This single subject that I chose, I ‘saw’ and liked as I sat eating breakfast and pondering what my first painting for the Challenge would be about. And there it was, right in front of me, this vase of fading flowers. So I took it up to my studio and painted it.
After finishing, I began to think, “What if…I changed this…or that?” I became intrigued by the possibilities. I could paint it against different coloured backgrounds. I could also play with colour intensity. And I could investigate how the subject changed in different lighting i.e. value changes. And on the ideas went.
Let’s look at the first painting I did.
Thumbnail with three main values, done in 4B pencil 
Recycled UART paper (pastel brushed) with subject drawn up in vine charcoal
The pastel painting above is where it all started. It definitely has a bright and colourful feel!
Here’s the one I did next. I wanted to create a lower intensity version of the same vase of flowers. I would still use fairly high chroma (high intensity) colours to do the piece but hopefully end up with a softer, more muted feel. I also decided to work with Unison Colour Pastel’s Set of 36 and only them. Could I do it?
Recycled UART 600 paper – brushed. 
First layer on. You can see the three value areas in three colours. 
Part way through “Flowers in Neutral.”
As I painted each new pastel, I learnt and understood something more about the subject which I could then apply in the piece that followed.
Here’s a third one. This time I wanted the main value to be a middle value with very little dark and light. And I wanted RED!
Vine charcoal drawing on recycled UART 400 paper. 
First layers on – three colours representing three values. 
Partway through “Red Tablecloth.”
Before I get to the last two of my explorations, let me first talk about the benefits of painting a single subject (and why I encourage you to do so).
Why I think it’s a great idea to explore a single subject
1. You don’t have to worry about what to paint
This is a huge relief! You get up in the morning and you already know what your subject will be. And if you’ve played around with the possibilities the day before, you might also know how you want to paint it.
2. Go deep
Each painting you do leads to a deeper understanding of the subject. When I started the vase and flower series, I didn’t really understand (and wasn’t that interested in) for instance, how the bumps on the vase showed up and how I would represent them in a painting. The more I painted the subject, the more I understood how to do this.
3. Focus on technique and materials
As you become more familiar with the subject, you can explore how to layer, how to use bright colours, how a certain pastel looks on a certain paper. It’s an opportunity to explore how you work and with what.
4. Take risks and experiment (and be less fearful)
As you explore a single subject, you begin to think of each piece as one in a series rather than working towards the ultimate masterpiece in one go. This provides the circumstance to take risks and not worry so much about one that doesn’t work. Instead you learn from what isn’t successful and move on. Your work evolves through experimentation not by playing it safe and continuing to do what you’ve always done.
5. Learn how to portray a particular subject
If something is unfamiliar to you or you have trouble painting it, this is a great way to become acquainted and understand your subject. By repeating it over and over in different variations you’ll come to know it well.
6. Develop your creative abilities
By working with the constraints of a single subject, you’ll unlid some ideas you may not think of normally. Keep going and the ideas start flowing, toppling over each other in the rush to be heard!
7. Create a lot of paintings
The urge to explore a single subject will result in a collection of paintings you may not have otherwise created. You’ll also have a cohesive body of work to show to a gallery. The owners will see your process and commitment to go deeply into your work and vision.
Now let’s have a look at the other two pastels I painted in the series. In the first one, I was back to playing with a more muted effect and also a backlit subject.
First layer of three values on. 
Adding more layers. 
Partway through “Twilight.” Working on the flowers. Always considering the value pattern.
And here’s the fifth version. Again, I wanted it to be quite different from the others so I chose to do one that was mostly a light value. And POW! in mostly bright yellow!
First layer in three values. In this case I used four colours. I decided not to use the yellow as a base for the other light areas (the ground and lit side of the flowers). 
Painting is underway! 
Moving along but still work to be done!
Want to explore a single subject? I hope I have inspired you! Start with a subject that delights you. It also helps if it fascinates you in some way. You’ll be working with it a lot so you definitely want something that will hold your interest. I’d say a simple subject is better. That way you can move quickly through the different iterations. This also allows you to explore many different possibilities – changing light, background, colours, format, etc. without getting caught up in time-consuming work.
Ideally, each piece in the series will stand on its own yet relate to the collective.
For inspiration, look at the work of other artists who have explored a single subject. Think Monet and his haystacks, Van Gogh’s self-portraits, Cezanne’s apples.
And that’s it for this time. Have you had the opportunity to explore a single subject? If not, has this got you interested in doing so? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!
Until next time (when I have an awesome guest for you!),
~ Gail
PS. As I write this, I’m exploring another single subject – this time it’s a pair of scissors!
PPS. Interested in purchasing? Click here.
30 thoughts on “Why Explore A Single Subject? Here Are Some Thoughts”
So helpful to see all the thought behind each one. How about ‘Blue Gold’ for the golden one?
Glad you enjoyed it Marsha! And thanks for the title suggestion. This morning I decided on a title – you’ll se it above 🙂
hi Gail! I am looking forward to meeting you in person next month when you come down to Naples for the SWFPS workshops! I’ve enjoyed your How To Pastel for some time, and this one on your 31 in 31 was especially interesting as to your treatment of the glass vase.
just a teeny little error though, re-read your last sentence of PPS. I believe you have August instead of October!
Our weather has been unseasonably warm, okay HOT (in the low 90s), so be prepared to be thrust back into mid-summer temperatures and enjoy your shorts and sandals. But of course you will check weather.com before you depart I am sure. Safe travels and everyone looks forward to your visit!
Hi Lynn, All these pieces are prep for those two still life workshops in Naples! Look forward to meeting you and everyone else 🙂
Thanks for catching the error (you read all the way to the very end!) – corrected!
Ohhhhh that weather does sound warm. Hope it stays, well maybe into the high 70s low 80s. That would be pleasant.
See you soon!
Wow, Gail! These are wonderful variations of a theme! I absolutely love them all, especially the untitled and red background ones. They are brilliant! That’s my title suggestion for the last one: Brilliant. Thanks for so generously sharing your process.
Thank you so much Takeyce!! You’re so sweet with your title. However, this morning I woke with one and so it now has a title (see above).
And as an aside for other readers, Takeyce wrote a guest post about her experience doing 30 paintings in 30 days. This was before we started the HTP 31-pastels-in-31-days Challenge later that year. You can read her post here.
Thank you for what really is a great lesson in exploring values, composition, and color. I will definitely work on some single subject paintings.
You are so welcome Barbie and DELIGHTED to hear you you found it useful and inspiring! Let us know how it goes.
I like how you tackle a tall thin subject; I always have problems in compositions with stuff like tall bottles and long vases. Clearly the answer is to paint them on their own and forget about a supporting “cast” like apples, etc! I like the neutral and twilight ones best. My “fault” is that I do one or two studies of a subject and then get distracted off onto something else…can’t keep the persistence going to create a series. It definitely does have lessons to learn. Have to try harder!
Thanks Chris. Happy you like the more muted ones. It was interesting for me to go that route as I’m drawn to using pure colour.
As to compositions, I think sometimes we feel we need to add more to a still life set up and yet, sometimes a single subject can be powerful on its own. That way, you can experiment – with different colour possibilities, mark-making, value shifts. And your ‘fault’ is common to most of us! I think having the intention to continue with the same subject helps. And yes, definitely lessons to be learnt!
Great examples, thank you. I do understand your explanations on values. But again I notice you do not make any comments on your colour choices. Do you suggest this way just to pick any (cold or warm etc)? Do you set up the whole thing each time with red background etc or just imagine the whole transition?
Thanks Susana! And thanks for pointing out this neglect re colour choices. I will need to do a post on that! When choosing the initial colours, I look and try to see a common colour to a value area. The main thing for me is to make sure I create shapes in the three values.
I’m not sure I understand your last question. I do set up the still life and then work from what I see. Working from life shows so much more subtle shifts in colour and value. Please respond if I haven’t answered that question for you.
No that is fine Gail. I just meant whether you take the trouble to set up for each version, and you do it seems. I can see I also need some kind of a box to set up the “scenery”. 😀
Okay Susana. And I will make a post about choosing those first colours! Thank you 🙂
Great article Gail. Lots of food for thought.
Good to hear Steve!! Look forward to seeing how the ‘food’ plays into your work 🙂
This was so enlightening to see your process and plan for values
The pastels you used. I am currently doing zinnias on my 3rd one so many possibilities
Thanks
Ruth
Glad this was helpful Ruth! You mentioned something about pastels – did you have a question? I think working with zinnias would be a fantastic opportunity for exploration!
Thanks for the blog Gail. Really interesting & a great idea. Love the fact that each painting has its own merit but works beautifully as a collection. Also, do agree with the freedom from not having to think what to draw each day! Am definitely going to try this. Greatly appreciate your skills & generosity.
Now all I have to do is find that one subject!
Glad you like this idea Sheila! I would say don’t look too hard. Instead be open to something that strikes you because of its shape or its colour, or its light/dark pattern. Remember it doesn’t have to be complex. Simple can be very effective. And it helps if it makes your heart skip a beat 🙂
Love this post Gail! Great suggestion to push creativity and explore ! I’m inspired to try it . Jan
Fantastic Jan! Let us know how it goes 🙂
Ive learned, through your blog, that it’s actually great fun to explore a single subject….and it makes one understand the subject really well.
I’m going to try it
Yes!!! I think our tendency is to avoid repeating a subject as we may get bored with it (I know I have!). Instead, if we go in a with an openness and a desire to explore and push our creativity within the constraints of a single subject, we can indeed make wonderful and useful discoveries, about the subject, about the way we work, about our strengths, about areas we may wish to work on. Go for it!!
I think this is a great idea.. I’m gonna try it this week!
That’s wonderful to hear Maryann!! Hope you’ll report back about what subject you chose and how it went.
Hi thank you for a thought provoking blog. I shall have a go. I think I have a similar vase. Swedish in origin by any chance.
Thanks so much Julie! Glad to hear you’ll give it a shot. And yes, hah hah, a wee vase from Ikea 🙂
love it Gail. and as you know there’s times when i find a subject that speaks to me, i just keep doing it, aka the beds or the glasses filled with fruit etc. I love your explanations of your color choices and how to keep it fresh. thank you
Thanks Jeri! And yes, I know your explorations of a single subject and how wonderful they are!