Here is my latest wip, as many of you know I have been battling with ferocious muscle tension headaches, but thanks to some very good advice from my friends here, I may just have had my last headache!
This is (going to be) a painting of another Australian native bird a Major Mitchell Cockatoo, I hope to complete it over the next few days.
The spider webs were a massive challenge. I did not really have a brush fine enough.
I hope you enjoy looking! And hope to have an update soon. Fingers crossed that it goes well, the bird is mostly white so very subtle colour changes to master!
Jodie
(Painted with WMO's on a 12x 16 canvas. Only linseed oil used as a medium.)
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Comments
David? help??
When I click on them they are upright on my phone, but not on my pc...
This one is from my pc using a camera rather than a phone
Your my hero! I'm glad you found ways to help you through your pain, and painting ventures. I see the wonderful grid method. Isn't it a great guide to paint with as well.
This will be a fantastic painting! I have faith. Take your time, and enjoy.
Cheering you on from NY.
Cyn. >:D< =D>
The headache issue is a process, but I am really getting there now. It took me a few days to get the courage to start again, as the last horror headache lasted two days, and as mummy to a small chap I can't afford that!
I have had to set the timer so that I stop and stretch every 10 minutes, as I really am hopeless for getting myself into a tangle without realizing it!
I have always loved a grid.
I bought the tape from acurasee which is great for making sure that I get my grid to scale properly if my picture is a different size to my canvas. http://accurasee.com/images/acc_accurasee_photos_010.jpg
Birdie is next
I think that you will achieve a beautiful painting as it's going to
It is coming along! My little boy had a long nap today, so I was able to get stuck in.
I still have quite a bit to do, but may get it finished tonight....maybe. I was amazed how dark I had to make the shadows. After all, it is a 'white' bird!
.
I hope my extra work added rather than took away if you know what I mean... it is time to step away from the canvas!
@shirley_seput , it is wonderful to have you comment on my piece, thank you, so glad you like it. The colours were hard to get right and not overdo. I was afraid of it looking 'chocolate box' (do you have that saying in the US?)
@Savannah, thankyou
@Mark_Carder thankyou!! I couldn't have done it without you
@Gary thanks so much for your comments as I was going along, it was great to have your input. You are 100% right about the importance of the background. It will make or break any birdy painting!
To all who have commented and 'liked'...thanks so much.
Master Jodie
Splendid work. Textures, values, light flow, composition and gesture are so natural and a credit to your skill. I also send you good wishes for the headaches to disappear and for the process of creating your magic to be a little more active and energetic.
Denis
Thank you!
I premix in small groups. For instance I premixed the entire background on the palette before starting, then painted it the same day. I then premixed my branch colours on the palette using (only a little)! linseed oil, and painted that in two sessions. Lots of the colour dried between my two sessions here as it got to 44 degress c (111 deg f) in between painting days, but I was still able to use some of it. The burnt sienna mixes were of course no good, and I had to mix a little bit more.
Next painting session I mixed the main colours for the bird.
I admit that I didn't get them all. I did have to mix some extra colours as I painted. I missed the 'peach' colour in my premix, and did that when I got to it. If I hadn't painted the bird so quickly, I might have run into trouble, but as there was so much white (which dries so slowly) I may have been ok with this particular painting.
I will be making a mix soon with some clove oil etc, as I do often find that colours dry between sessions, particularly when I have a few days off between painting sessions.
I hope my answer is of some help to you!
The light and textures are fantastic! =D>
But what makes the painting for me is your choice of composition or in my mind your overall design! It's really a beautiful design how the curve of the branches echo the curves in the bird's body and the way it's positioned.
In other words, I really love it!!! Congrats on a great piece ^:)^
It was one of those stunning moments in nature that the photographer captured, and I have been lucky enough to echo.
I need to find a way to take my own photos of birds. Difficult, as they must be awesome!
I will be going to the local zoo soon, but not sure how I will go with a toddler and birds seen though wire! I run outside every time a beautiful bird lands in my backyard, but I havent good many good photos yet.
Thankyou Jonny and Shirley, I am happy with it as well, I have never painted light like this before, I fear I will become hooked on trying acheive this effect again and again and again @-)
I wonder if you contacted the zoo and told them what you are doing if they could help somehow? Like possibly even offering to donate some of your photos for them to sell at their gift shop is they have one. I'd strike up a relationship with them. You never know where it might lead
Sell postcards of your photos and of your paintings and when the demand is there sell the paintings as well.
Get your business contact info, website, email address on everything.
Denis