Garlic Mustard Pesto & Polenta Squares
I confess. This dish was perhaps, way too easy to select as number seven to paint in the 100 recipes to paint Wild Dining Illustrated challenge I saddled myself with.
Even though I unfailingly destroy the crispy layer on the polenta squares every time I make them, I forever keep trying to achieve a perfect flaky-crunchy skin. One day I will succeed, but that day, apparently, has not yet come.
Whatever it looks like on my plate in the end though, it ALWAYS tastes like cheesy goodness melting on my tongue... and therefore it almost nothing ever actually makes it to the plate... I eat it right on the stove.
However, after completing the Wild Garlic Leek Pesto and Polenta Squares sketch, I realized that moving forward, I needed to save time and work in a more cohesive manner because the scope of the original project changed from 40 recipe illustrations to 100 painted meals.
So, I decided to use a multi-page storyboard format combined with a batch method at each of the phases: from thumbnail concepts to final drawings and final watercolor paintings.
With that in mind, I accept that I won't necessarily be quicker but progress would be easier to track. I can better identify where to take a pause and where to sprint.
In the meantime, to check out other food related art and illustration I've shared, go here. Questions or inquires about my art? Get in touch here.
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Public Announcement: This blog post is part of a collection of 354+ posts from my original Wordpress blog "Dreaming Into Being" library. I've now retired and migrated it to “Wander & Paint,” my new blog post at the United Wanderlust art shop. As time allows, about once a week, I will be reviewing, editing, condensing, updating and releasing a number of these blog posts.
Some posts do require more precision surgery than others. I'll also probably be publishing new posts as the muse wills it and father time allows. This whole process may take a while but I think these blog posts serve as great documentation of my process and reminds me of certain milestones. So, most of them will be made available again - at some point.
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