Fuzzy

Happy New Year!!

I wanted to end the year with a new painting, well, a new painting that is part of a larger project.  It is a bit of a surprise so I don't want to reveal too much.  But.... it is safe to say that I loved painting this little teddy bear and I do think I just may need to get a couple of my own teddy bears for reference for future paintings.

Fuzzy oil on hardboard

© 2012

Splash - Portrait of a Ruddy Duck

I'm taking a break from the oils until the owl dries just a tad... I keep resting my arm on the wet paint to finish up the one corner.

I was cruising through some of my reference photos and I came upon this guy, a Ruddy Duck.  There is something about him that just made me chuckle.  Perhaps it is the blue beak, or the absolutely adorable look in his face.  Either way, I just had to paint him.  I shouldn't be on my easel much longer.... just a quick little duck painting.

Splash
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

watercolour © 2012

Ever Watching - Work in Progress

I'm getting down to the last few areas and details with this guy, only the lower left side left to go.  Same limited palette that I started with, though I did add some cadmium yellow to the eyes for that little extra pop.

 Ever Watching
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Untitled Work in Progress - Step 5

I've finished the under painting of this owl and now have started on the top layer, which is the oils thinned with a tad of walnut oil.  He is starting to come alive and this is my favourite part of painting.

 Untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Untitled Work in Progress, Step 4

Got more done tonight, a couple more sessions and I should have the under layer completely done.  The next layer will mostly be strengthening the highlights and shadows and minor tweaking in, perhaps, some other areas.

I like the way the pine hardboard shows through with the clear gesso, and a bonus is then I don't have to paint a background.  I think there will definitely be more animal portraits done in this manner.

 Untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Untitled Work in Progress - Step 3

I started the sketch of this one way back in October and I was doing a decent job sketching and shading.  Then... well, I got lost in the feathers below and I started to worry about the smudge factor when it was time to put on the layer of clear gesso.  Well, it smudged.  Alot.  sigh.  I was able to keep too much of the lead from getting on the wood that I am planning to keep visible and decided to jump right into the painting part.  So far, very limited palette on this one:  titanium-zinc white, ivory black, transparent red earth, and asphaltum.

 Untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Freedom

Freedom

4" x 6" watercolour © 2012

Freedom - Work in Progress

If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each in to learn to laugh at himself.  ~ Peanuts 

Freedom - Work in Progress

4" x 6" watercolour © 2012

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Another candidate for a Christmas card?  I've been wanting to paint a chickadee with a scarf, just never really found the excuse to.  Then... I thought to myself, why not on a Christmas card? 

Getting Ready for the Holidays

4" x 6" watercolour © 2012

Clear Blue Skies

I've finished painting my holiday card for the season (the first time I've been done this early).  I've also got my blank cards on order and this weekend I hope to pick up new ink for my printer... then... printing all the Christmas cards.  My plan is to have everything in the mail way earlier than I did last year (or the year before, or the year before that....). 

Clear Blue Skies

4" x 6" watercolour © 2012

Some Kind of Whimsy

Sometimes we just need a little whimsy in the world....  Had fun with this one, tossing in lots of colour (and even some sparkly) and salt to create an abstracty background.  Felt like painting a chickadee but didn't want to get lost in doing a detailed background.

Some Kind of Whimsy

4" x 4" watercolour © 2012

Mid-Summer Night

It's funny how sometimes a painting starts off in one direction and ends up completely different.  This was suppose to be a painting of a chickadee in a pine tree (was suppose to be my Christmas card) and it ended up being a chickadee with a grassy background, more of a summer scene.  I just went with the flow (of paint that is)!

Mid-Summer Night

5" x 5" watercolour on aquabord © 2012

Untitled - Owl Work in Progress Step 2

More drawing/sketching in the details of the owl and he is slowly staring to emerge from the board.  I am hoping that with a detailed under-drawing that the painting over top will be easier with the road map.  I sometimes get lost with the details and it doesn't quite turn out the way I was hoping.  This time... Well, I guess I will have to wait and see.

 Untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Winter Berries - Work in Progress, Step 2

I've gotten a little more done on the robin tonight, though... sometimes I do curse at myself for trying a bird on such a textured surface.  It is tricky to get the details, which I do love doing on birds, on this surface.  It is starting to take shape... lots more layers to go yet.

 Winter Berries
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Winter Berries - Work in Progress

This is the second oil painting that I am working on... this time on gesso'd hardboard that has been coated with a glass bead medium from Golden.  This is going to definitely be a challenge!  Up close, the texture from the glass bead makes it hard to see the painting (it is very abstract), but from a distance I can clearly see the robin.  I'm not sure how this one is going to turn out.  I am even thinking of applying a coat of glass beads over top to add to the wintery feel of the painting.

 Winter Berries
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

untitled - Owl Oil Painting Work in Progress

I've started my next oil project... this time an owl on 10" x 8" hard board that has been gesso'd with clear gesso.  Once I have the pencil drawing complete, I will add another layer of clear gesso to seal the pencil and then the painting begins!

 Untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Spring Tidings - Finished

I've brought out the oils this weekend and have finally finished this one (started waaay back).... the paint is still very wet, hence the pictures taking at the angle.  It is ironic that I started this one back in February to help beat the winter blues and I finish it in the fall just as winter is starting to come back.

I've prepped a few more panels today:  some with clear gesso (got some fun ideas I want to try) and some with golden glass beads (this one is going to be a neat experiment).  Still working on the watercolour barn and I hope to be finished it sometime in the very near future.

 Spring Tidings
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

7" x 5" oil on hardboard © 2012

Favourite Bits

Autumn Barn - Step 6

Still plugging away at this one.... I started laying in the colour on the barn, initially trying to paint each plant of siding, then I decided to simply lay on the colour and let it granulate.  Afterwards, I am going to lift the colour on the plants to get the worn and old look. 

Autumn Barn - WIP
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord
© 2012

Autumn Barn - Landscape WIP - Step 5

I'm finished the sheds on the left and now starting on detailing in the bare trees and the grassy areas on the lower left hand size.  I'm trying to let the colours mingle as much as possible with the least amount of brush strokes... so far so good.

Autumn Barn - WIP
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord
© 2012     Favourite Bits  

Autumn Barn - WIP Step 4

I've started working on the little sheds to the left of the barn and still 'experimenting' on how I want to do the red siding on the barn itself.  I love how this is coming together and I can't wait to see what it will look like varnished and framed!!

Autumn Barn - WIP
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord
© 2012     Favourite Bits  

Autumn Barn - Work in Progress, Step 3

I didn't get a lot done on this one yesterday... mostly working on the reds of the barn.  The original picture has a beautifully intense -yet old and worn red on the barn that I really do want to capture.  Its a bit hard to tell, but I have four different reds, some blues, and a hint of green so far on the sides trying to capture the "time has past" feel.

Autumn Barn - WIP
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord
© 2012

Autumn Barn - Watercolour Farm Landscape WIP

I worked on the autumn trees a little more yesterday and I've started adding some of the red siding to the barn.  I think I found the perfect red... and it is also my favourite paint.... Daniel Smith Garnet, which also happens to be my birthstone.  I love the fact that I can include a little of 'me' into the painting. 

Autumn Barn - WIP
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord
© 2012

untitled, Work in Progress

A new month and a new painting.  Oh where oh where did the summer go?  I can't believe that it is September already!!

I've painted this scene before in oils, but after seeing some absolutely beautiful watercolour landscape/building paintings over on Kara K. Bigda's blog, I felt that I just had to try this scene again but in watercolours. 

untitled - WIP
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord
© 2012

Spring Melt - Work in Progress Step 3

I am getting very close to being done this one... a little more on the waterfall in the middle, and a touch more on the water to the left.  I am still contemplating adding a little more white to the water/snow below.  Then... just to determine where to hang it!  I don't do abstract-y paintings often, and I have to admit that it was a nice break from the more realistic style that I find that I do.

Spring Melt - WIP
16" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas
© 2012

Spring Melt - Acrylic Work in Progress Step 2

I got lots more done over the last couple days on this painting... I can actually see it being complete soon!  There is lots of gold and silver interference paint used (very hard to photograph) but looks super cool in person.  I am hoping to finish this weekend.

I am using a fairly limited palette:  ivory black, paynes grey, transparent red earth, titanium white, yellow ochre, gold ochre, and cobalt blue.

Spring Melt - WIP
16" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas
© 2012

Spring Melt - Abstract Landscape WIP

Has it really been a month since my last post?  My goodness... where did July go?  Life has kept me busy with more time spent outdoors than indoors and much less time spent painting I am afraid.  My return from a recent business trip to Ottawa has had me at home with a rather nasty cold/flu which has meant more time at the easel to pass the time away.  The oils were irritating my rather unhappy chest, so I pulled out the acrylics to see what I could do.  Below is the result:  a work in progress that I hope gets finished sooner than some of my other works in progress. 

Spring Melt - WIP
16" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas
© 2012

Days Closing - Work in Progress

I had an inkling to pick up the oil paints after a long hiatus of not using them.  The result is this work-in-progress that is making a good start to being done.  I've blocked in the sky and the foreground... now to let it dry a little so I can add more details and blending.  Oh man, have I missed the oils!

Days Closing
16" x 16" Oil on Canvas
© 2012

 

A New Beginning - Work in Progress Part 3

It sure feels good to be back at the easel, albeit not as much as I want but every little bit is more than I was, so no complaints.  Mr. Chickadee is almost complete... just a little more on his wings and his little feet.  Then... the rest of the lilies.

 A New Beginning

6" x 6" watercolour© 2012

A New Beginning - WIP

So... it might not look like much has been done since my last update of this painting, but lots has.  Multiple layers have gone into the bottom (greens, reds, and purples) and the two lily leaves as I am trying my hand at not using convenience greens (though I have to admit, some has sneaked in).

Another note, perhaps this should be a lesson learned.... if you are going to scrub the colour off of aquabord, don't scrub too hard using a magic eraser.... it just rubs off the texture that allows the watercolour to stick.  Thus, the bottom section of this painting is taking a little longer as it is as slippery as ice!!

Next up, Mr. Chickadee.

 A New Beginning

6" x 6" watercolour© 2012

Starting Again...

I kept dabbling at the previous posted work in progress... but just couldn't get into it.  So, rather than frustrating myself with it... I thought I would start fresh!  Same basic subject matter, but this time on some aquabord.  I have washed the bottom off twice now and I think I am finally happy with the way this one is turning out.  Yah!

I have been plugging away at it when the fur-babies (dogs, sometimes cats) wake me up at 6:30am for thier food.  So, this one should actually be completed sometime in the near future.

Thanks for checking back!!  I hope to be posting much more regularly in the future.

 A New Beginning

6" x 6" watercolour© 2012

Hiding in the Lilies - Work in Progress

Back to painting and felt like playing with watercolours this time.  I am having fun with salt and just letting the paints do their thing.  It has been a while since I have worked on a negative painting so this one has been a bit of a challenge.  Lots still to go.

 Spring Tidings

6" x 4" watercolour© 2012

Art/Blog Break

I took a bit of a art/blog break... but I am feeling the creative juices starting to flow again.  I was feeling a bit worn out and needed a bit of a break from painting, though not from creativity.  I have been quilting, gardening (indoors and out) and working on the house (ripping out old icky carpets). 

New paintings should be starting very soon so stay tuned!

Pasha © 2012

Spring Tidings - WIP Step 3

Has it really been two weeks since my last update?  Wow... does time fly!  I have been busy working (my day job, year end... busy times) and yard work.  We had a couple weeks of summer weather here and I thought it was a brilliant time to get some of the yard work done that I didn't finish in the fall. 

Back to the painting.  I have started working on the body of the chickadee before I go back to working on the fluffy pussy-willows.  I am using a simple palette of ivory black, indigo, burnt sienna, titanium white, and a touch of yellow ochre.

 Spring Tidings
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

7" x 5" oil on hardboard© 2012

Spring Tidings - Work in Progress Step 2

Its been a while since I posted, and I have to admit... I haven't done much painting.  I've added some naples yellow tint to the willows and I started to add some colour to the little guys cheeks.  Slow and steady.

 Spring Tidings
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

7" x 5" oil on hardboard© 2012

Spring Tidings - Work in Progress

Last week it was +10C outside and it was seeming a little greener out there, this weekend....  snow squalls and a foot of snow.  Looks like winter is doing everything it can to hold on.  One can dream (and paint) of warmer, greener thoughts....

 Spring Tidings
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

7" x 5" oil on hardboard© 2012

Time Gone By - Finished

Another painting moves from my 'to do list' to my finished pile!  Yah!  I absolutely love this one... I love how everything just fell into place, almost like it painted itself.  Now, just to flip through my brothers photographs to find another cool barn painting to paint!

 Time Gone By
Photo Reference:  Mike (my brother)

7" x 5" oil cradled wood © 2011

Natures First Green is Gold - Bird #64

Finished!  As much as I loved painting this one... I do have to admit that I am very happy to be finished.  The title for this painting is from a favourite poem of mine by Robert Frost:

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay. 

 I am not sure why this poem kept coming to my mind as I was painting this one, there was just something about the flowers and the gold stamens.  To emphasize the gold of the painting... I even added a touch of gold watercolour paint to the stamens and the branch. 

 Natures First Green is Gold
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

approximately 8" x 6" watercolour on paper© 2012
Favourite Details

Strike a Pose - Bird #63

All finished, now all that is left to do is varnish (I love the look of varnished watercolours), frame, and deliver.  I loved painting this one...  so much so I have already started looking for another loon to paint.

Strike a Pose
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

6" x 6" watercolour on paper© 2012

untited Loon - Work in Progress

I was hoping to be done on Friday... but, life happens so there was a small delay in finishing this one.  I am not quite finished (just a little more detail in the lower portion of the water) but it is pretty much done now.  So, all that is left is to mat and frame it... and to title it.  Any suggestions?

untitled Loon
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

6" x 6" watercolour on paper© 2012

Loon - Work in Progress

Another new painting, this time it is a donation for a silent auction for a play school just north of me in Barrie, Ontario.  I am keeping this one simple, only four colours: indigo blue, sepia, mayan blue, and a touch of garnet for the eye.  I have to admit that I love the simplicity of the colours.  This one will be completed by the end of the week... I have a deadline!

 Loon
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

6" x 6" watercolour on paper© 2012

untitled Finch - Work in Progress Step 3

The flowers on this one are taking a little longer than anticipated, but, I am not painting as quickly as I did last month.  Taking my time at this one and enjoying the process.

Took a 'daytime' photo of the painting at this stage and it is a little more true to life in colour than the 'evening' photos I took earlier in the process.

 untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

approximately 8" x 6" watercolour on paper© 2012

untitled Finch Paining - Step 2

I am almost done the bird (just his little legs are left) and now I am starting to work on the apple blossoms.  Slow and steady...  and the blossoms are actually turning out not to bad!  They are a mix of indigo blue, garnet, cobalt blue, and a purple (just can't remember the name of the one I am using).  I do have to admit that Daniel Smith garnet is my new favourite reddish pigment (and besides, it is also my birthstone!)

 untitled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

approximately 8" x 6" watercolour on paper© 2012