Flamingo Part 3

A little about materials.  I love my acrylics and right now I'm using Decoart's Traditions.  My palette consist of White, Black, Burnt Umber, Ultra Blue, Cream, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, and Grey.  My painting surface is an 8 inch x 8 inch Gesso board with a 3/4 inch cradle.  I'm very detailed with my paintings and I have found Gesso board's smooth surface makes achieving that detail so much easier.  I do plan to try some illustration board at some point and also planning on experimenting with some Golden Acrylics.  I know that is what a lot of Acrylic artist use because they are pigment rich.  I'm pretty happy with Decoart, but always room for improvement!

I know....doesn't seem like much progress for a days work......

I'm still building up the values on the beak with washes.  I build them up slowly...each layer a little darker or lighter....til I get the richness I'm looking for.  On the head, I have started to lay in the individual feathers.  Many times I will use white or cream to put in the texture then I go back and wash over the hairs with the different values.  I repeat that process as needed. 

 

Again...each individual feather is painted...lay down the values, then add texture, repeat as necessary. It is a long process, but I do so love the results when it all comes together.  I usually have music playing as I work and my hubby always knows when things are going well with a painting......cause I dance....not unusual for him to see me twirling and singing around the living room.  I just have to let all that JOY out!