Zoo Day

I went to the Zoo on Wednesday and OH, what a day I had there.  Billy dropped me off around 9am.  I was loaded....had both my lenses, my camera, my monopod, my umbrella, and water and a snack.  It was an overcast day, which made it nice temp wise.  It did sprinkle a couple of times, but I had my trusty umbrella so I was good.  I really took my time and got some great shots....around 500 photos.  By the time I left I was really tired....I think it was around 3pm when I decided to call it a day.  I certainly can't post all 500 photos, but here are a few of my favorites.

 I was actually shooting the flowers when this little guy magically appeared in my view finder.....how cool is that!!

 Bobcat

 Jaguar

 Cheetah

 Look at all those teeth!

It was around 3pm when I went back home and there was not a part of my body that didn't kinda of ache.  Just not used to all that walking....especially with a backpack.  It was so worth it though and I do plan to go back.  So much to learn about the camera.....keep in mind that all these shots, with the exception of the hummer, were taken either through glass or a cage. 

New Camera Lens

Well, so much for Utube and so much for the pelican.  Oh, I'll be back to them in a few days, but I purchased a new telephoto lens for my camera and I just had to play!  Look what I found fluttering around the pond.

Aren't they beautiful!  I need lots more practice getting these kind of shots, but I'm just thrilled with how well these came out even with my limited photography skills.  Weather permitting, I'm off to the zoo tomorrow!

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!