Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day8

After a two week break, I went back to Greg's class in Strathmore.
I started a new painting today. I brought in a cat. Well, it's actually a cookie jar.

Greg asked me to put some other stuff together with the 'cat', but, I really had no idea.
Then he brought in some books, a horse, a water pitcher, a vase and a wooden ball.

It's amazing to see how he put these objects together. Again, he is thinking about how to make its composition interesting tonally, creating a depth of field and at the same time, a visual story.

As usuall, I covered the canvas with Raw Umber wash, and started to rub it off with a rag.
I ended up spending an entire session doing this without applying any colour.
I should have started putting some colours earlier, otherwise, I would lose a painterly feel in this painting. He mentioned it too.

Anyway, I'm reasonably happy with its overall effect so far, and looking forward to the next one.

With other fellow artists in the studio, I always feel very inspired.

Work in progress. 

Oil on panel. 16 x 20 in.