Rose, Work in Progress

I didn't get nearly as much painting done this last week as I wanted, but... I got busy with life (well, relaxing and catching up with housework) but I think I am back into the swing of things. Tonight, I felt like trying to paint a flower again, but this time a rose.... and with bright fully saturated colours. So far, I love it! I think it is my best floral painting yet. I'm not quite finished it, though I do not anticipate it taking me long to finish a couple petals and fill in the background. Then... back to the birds!


Rose
4" x 6" Watercolour
© 2009

Daisy, An Old Work in Progress

Its been a few months since I last worked on this painting, but I've decided to pick up my brushes and work a little more on this one. I apologize for the poor picture... I'll take another one after I get a bit more done and in better light. Once this one is done, I have my eye on a much larger floral painting for my walls. I'll post a work in progress when I get started...


Daisy
10" x 8" Acrylic on Canvas
© 2009

Captured Moment (Finished) - Bird #4

The finishing touches went on this guy tonight, and other than the little feet, I'm pretty happy with it. Birds feet are hit and miss for me. Sometimes they turn out absolutely perfect and other times I just want to hide them behind some vegetation or something. I've pulled out the sketch book again and plan on practicing drawing birds feet.


Captured Moment
4" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by Alan and Elaine Wilson
© 2009

Captured Moment (Almost Done) - Bird #4

Almost done this guy, but there are still a few details left to do (such as the branch he's sitting on). I wanted to post something this weekend even if it was another update on this one. Thanks for looking!


Captured Moment
4" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by Alan and Elaine Wilson
© 2009

Captured Moment (More Progress) - Bird #4

I was hoping to have this bird finished by now... but, life has a way of getting in the way of the best made plans sometimes. I've made good progress on the body of the bird and have even started working on the background washes. There is a little bit left to go and I hope to have him finished before the end of the weekend.


Captured Moment
4" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by Alan and Elaine Wilson
© 2009

Captured Moment (Work in Progress) - Bird #4

I started painting my fourth of 100 bird paintings today... a beautiful little swallow based on another great capture by Alan and Elaine Wilson. After finishing sketching this guy out, I've started laying in the darks under the wings and getting the shape in the head with the blues. I love painting swallows and this is my first watercolour version of them.


Captured Moment
4" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by Alan and Elaine Wilson
© 2009

Earlier this week, I was treated with beautiful weather (before the smog rolled in) with beautifully clear skies. From my studio I spied Mount Baker beyond the grasses and Fraser River. I've been collected photographs from the river and I am hoping (really soon) to start a series of river paintings as a break from all the birds that I am working on.


© 2009

Hummer (Finished) - Bird #2

The finishing touches went on this painting tonight as I am one more painting towards my goal of 100 birds in one year. No more painting tonight, I have lots of paper to cut for new paintings. That, and I want to determine the most efficient set up for oil painting again with cats in the house. Not sure how to do that yet...


Hummer
6" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by David from Flikr
© 2009

A Moments Pause - Bird #3

I'm almost finished the hummingbird from yesterday, but, I thought I would post this one that I finished over lunch today. I tend to have a couple of small paintings on the go at the same time.... it allows me to go back and forth as I get frustrated with the 'ugly' stage of a painting. It also allows me to work on one painting at my day job during lunch and another at home without having to transport the painting between different locations.


A Moments Pause
3" x 3" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by Alan and Elaine Wilson
© 2009

I'm having fun painting these chickadees and I know I am going to be doing many more by the time I'm done my 100 bird challenge. This guy turned out really well and I am particularly proud of the stray feathers on his white cheeks...

Hummer (In Progress) - Bird #2

It's a little hard to see in the scan, but I am slowly layering in the background of this little guy. I have a few more layers to go to achieve the depth that I am looking for, then the details on the branch and this one is finished.


Hummer
6" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by David from Flikr
© 2009

Hummer (Work in Progress) - Bird #2

I was hoping to finish this one today... but as you can see I have a little ways to go before I can call this one done. I had good intentions, but I have to admit that I was distracted by the cat tree/condo that I have in my place and my obsession of making it 'not tacky' (as in not ugly). So, most of the day was running around to various suppliers looking for upholstery, getting wood cut, and looking for sisal rope. Tomorrow will be a better painting day and I hope to finish the hummingbird very soon.


Hummer
6" x 6" Watercolour
Photo Reference kindly provided by David from Flikr
© 2009