Pelican

I spent some time working on the palm leaves and now have moved down to those feathers.  I have spent quite a lot of time on them.  Just couldn't seem to get things moving in the right direction.  Here is a photo of the "photo" of the feathers I'm trying to reproduce in the painting.

It's those soft, gray feathers that I'm stumbling on....they are so subtle and soft...barely there.

I finally think I have a handle on it...just getting started, laying in some values and then I'll start "picking out" individual feathers to add some shape and depth.
I order and received a tripod for my camera....so I am going to start experimenting with shooting some video while at my easel.  If all goes well, I may have something up on Utube in the next few days....fingers crossed!!

Pelican Continues

I took a few days off.  I have found that after I sit at my easel for several days.....I need a break.  A time to re-charge and sometimes re-group.  During that time, I place my wips (works in progress) where I can see them.  It is amazing how much that helps me the next time I'm at the easel.  I see what is right and what is wrong.  A color that needs to be deepened or a shape that is a bit skewed.  I take mental notes....and then when I'm back at the easel I make the necessary changes.  In this case, the pelican's beak had gotten a bit to thick.  I made corrections to the beak and spent some time on the background as well. 

Backgrounds...probably my least favorite thing to paint.  I just don't have much patience when it comes to "fiddling" with the background.  Yet, I know it is important and it must compliment the subject not distract from it. 

Here is a little closer look at the head.  Now, here is where I like to spend my time and I love the way this guy is coming to life!

Pelican and the Old Truck

Spent the day at my easel yesterday.  Did a little work on both the paintings.  It probably doesn't look like I made a lot of progress on either one, but I work slowly.  I have always been that way....I take a lot of time with each little section.  I play with value, color, and texture until I feel what is happening at the end of my brush agrees with what I see in my mind's eye. 

I'm focusing on the head area here on the pelican...slowly building up the color and texture.  I tend to work in 2 hour blocks and then it is time to stretch...to walk the furballs, or to dance.....yes, I like to "be bop" around the fiver.  It re-energizes me and clears the mind.  I know hubby sometimes thinks I'm a little nuts, but he is used to it and pretty much ignores me now...LOL!

And here is the Old Truck....more rocks and touches of green and some scrub brush coming to life.  I have decided to make this a spring time scene.  You can click on both photos for a larger view.

Pelican Painting

Yesterday I spent most of the day working on my pelican painting.  Here is reference photo I am working from.....

A fellow rv blogger had this photo on his blog and was kind enough to allow me to use it.  You can read all about Keith's travels here.
Below you will see my progress on the painting....

Just getting some color and value laid in....but I'm already liking the way this is coming together!  This is acrylic on a 24 by 12 inch gessoboard.  I started this by laying in the blue sky.  Once that was dry I sketched in the palm tree leaves and then undercoated them with white.  I undercoat in white because I work in transparent layers and I didn't want the blue background to skew my transparent washes on the leaves.

Back to my Easel

As promised, I finally returned to my painting of the old truck.  Inspiration for the background, finally "popped" into my wee brain!  We were on our way to see the burros in Oatmen, when I spied a fabulous rock formation.  Hubby pulled over so I could get out and take some photos.  So glad I did, because I think they are just perfect as a back drop to the truck.

The rich dark tones of the rocks will make that old truck "pop"  and I'm pretty happy with the composition at this point.  I also like how the colors of the truck are repeated in the rock formations. So far....it all works!

Rylie...delivered, roadrunner, and a rescue!

You'll have to forgive my lack of posting the last few days.  It seems it always takes me awhile to get "settled in" and back to my easel.   I love the site we are located in....there is a big "wash" area out our back.  Look who I found running around back there....just waiting to say "hello"!

I have been wanting to paint one of these guys....so hopefully I can get some more photos of this guy while we are here.
It has been busy here.....meeting and chatting with fellow rv bloggers Rick and Paulette , they are the proud owners of Rylie and loved the painting I did.   I even managed to rescue a stray and find it a new home.  You can check all that out on my travel blog.
I do plan on getting to the easel today and posting some WIP's soon.  I did a little sketching on the old truck and I think I am finally happy with the background.  Plan on putting in some washes of color today and see how it stands up!

Travel Day

Today we are heading over to California for a months stay in a beautiful rv park located in Desert Hot Springs...."The Sands".  One thing we are planning on is going to the Zoo.....taking my new camera, of course, and hoping to get some great reference photos!  I'll be working on the "old truck" painting and I have started a new painting of a Pelican.  Stay tuned for WIPs......on both.  This gypsy girl is "on the road again" WaHOOOO!

Sadie almost done!

It has been hot here....but I'm not complaining!  It does make my paint dry up rather quickly though.  Sadie was back on my easel today and I have just about finished her.

 I just have to clean up the background a bit and she is ready to go a cruise-in down the road!  This portrait was a challenge, so much going on with all the collars and those "doggles"...gotta love those things.  I really enjoyed painting Sadie and I am very please with how she turned out.  You can read all about Miss Sadie on her blog. 

Rylie is Done!

I finally got back to my easel and finished up my portrait of Rylie.  I am still working on Sadie. 

I still can't get over that sweet face and those gorgeous eyes.....so intense!  Can't wait to meet Rylie in person!  We will be leaving Bullhead City next week and heading over to a California rv park where Rylie and her owners are currently parked.
I have also been spending time on my web site....it isn't quite finished, but it has a new look and some new features.  One of which is a newsletter that folks can sign up for....I used mailchimp.  My newsletter will be "published" 4 times a year.  That leads me to a question:  What would you find interesting in a newsletter?  I plan to have my latest paintings and projects, but I'm also thinking about adding a "tips and techniques" area about my painting style.  What do ya think!

Back to Sweet Rylie

Yesterday I went back to work on Rylie.  I got kinda a late start, but I think I made a fair amount of progress.  I spent a little time tweaking the nose and muzzle area and then moved out into all those lovely curls.  Those curls are what drew me in to paint Rylie in the first place....the way they frame that sweet face and those soulful eyes....the curls are the "icing on the cake"!

I do declare.....Rylie is the "poster child" for sweetness!