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