Saturday, July 25, 2009

Floral painting update


This morning I kept working the leaves. Thank goodness there are only three but the veining pattern makes it more difficult to move along quickly. Still much more to be done until I am satisfied...

Friday, July 24, 2009

Ontario Trillium painting update


Now I feel as it this floral painting is coming to life! The sunlight partially hitting the trillium plant is starting to appear in this step. It shines on the flower and the leaf thus creating darker shadows that contrast against brighter areas.

Red Trillium pastel painting


Other than animal subjects, I also like to paint and draw flowers. This red trillium is native to Ontario and grows in my garden. The painting is done using soft pastels on green Colorfix sandpaper and measures about 6" x 8".

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Another bird wildlife painting complete!


I can't believe I was able to complete this painting in just a few days. I am quite happy with the way it turned out and now for the best part...framing!!

Blackbird painting update



I guess I could leave the background as is but I feel the painting is missing something. In the next step, I will attempt to add a blurred out background effect.

Red-winged blackbird (female) painting


A small (6"x9") pastel painting on Colorfix sandpaper.
The bird is a female red winged blackbird with a beakfull of insects. I spent the whole morning at a local marsh, studying and photographing the many species of birds that inhabit the area. On this shot, she paused for a moment, balancing on a cat-tail before returning to her well-hidden nest to feed her young.
I've spent only a few hours working on this painting and it is advancing quite fast, which is somewhat of a relief. I need to get more smaller paintings done for several art shows this fall!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New Dog Portrait on the easel


A commission I am currently working on (graphite enhanced with colored pencil). Unfortunately, the original mock image is very bad but I am able to use other clearer reference stock photos of this breed to help me add the detail to Colonel's portrait. Colonel is a flat-coated retriever who recently passed and is missed terribly by his human family.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Red Squirrel Painting Title

UPDATE, Poll closed. Title for red squirrel painting: "Meeting at Sugarbush"

After much thought on a title for this painting, I came up with a few ideas. If you could all take part in my poll to the right, I would be very appreciative. Also, feel free to suggest a title by adding a comment to this post.

Thanks all!!!

Attempt at color correcting!


Still not quite how I like it but much better than the previous posted image. I am having a hard time pulling out some orange as when I do, the image becomes too yellow. Thanks again for looking!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Wildlife painting of Squirrels complete!


All I can say is YAY! I'm done! Still need to color correct the image but I couldn't wait to show it off.