Kitchen still life

12" x 12" x 0.5" acrylic on canvas

I'm a little excited about how this one turned out.  We've got a pitcher with some nice shadow effects, we've got a shiny clean mason jar, we've got some bananas that are starting to turn, and it's all reflecting ever so slightly on the glossy wooden countertop.  

Yesterday's still life turned out pretty good, so I was motivated to try another one.  I staged this scene and then tried to be careful and methodical instead of my beloved fast frenzy style.  I actually waited between layers to let things dry.  

It's weird, I'll have a little stretch where I think I can't paint anymore because everything turns out terrible.  And then all of a sudden I'll have some good ones.  Hopefully I'm learning or developing some skills.  

Here's some tips for myself:

Not muddling all my colors together actually makes things look brighter.  Oh!  

Shadows and shading really take a painting from flat to "good".  Huh!  

If I give a little effort, instead of throwing paint around like a cat batting at a yarn ball - I like my paintings better.  Hmm.