Monday, December 21, 2009

Flamingos In Love

Can you believe it? I'm finally back at my easel. The house update is but a distant memory and we are currently in Florida. When in Florida......paint flamingos! You can click on the photos for a larger image. I tried to get in a little closer with the camera for the above photo.
This is the whole canvas photo. I'm trying something a little different with this painting as I wanted it to have more of a contemporary feel. I will be painting a 3 inch mat to frame the flamingos. I'm also using Decoart's Traditions acrylic paints for the first time. I have to say so far I am impressed with them. I like being able to 'lift' color once it is put down, but yet the color doesn't lift too easily. Does that make sense.....probably not. I guess what I am trying to say is the longer the paint 'cures' on the canvas the harder it is to lift. If you are impatient, you can seal the area with their glazing medium. I also found the paint seems to blend more easily than some other acrylics I have used. The colors also have plenty of pigment which is important to me because I use a lot of water when I paint. I like working in layers and slowly building up color and effect. Painting flamingos is kinda like painting cotton candy! I'm trying very hard to capture the soft, fluffy feeling that I see. Oh, and I'm using a copyright free photo for reference on this painting. I will post the reference photo next time.