At Peace with the World

I started a new painting a few nights ago based on an absolutely beautiful photograph from  Alan and Elaine Wilson webpage of nature photography.  Not sure how I am going to treat the background yet so I am concentrating my efforts on the main body of the loon.  I hope to have another update for you tomorrow.

At Peace with the World
10" x 8" watercolour on aquabord

© 2013

Winter Waiting - Original Watercolor

Taking a break from chickadee's with a cedar waxwing.  I love the bright warm colours on these guys, especially against the cool blue sky.

Winter Waiting
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

Golden Glow

I'm having a hard time capturing the colours correctly in this painting for some reason.  Its a little too red, the sky should be a tad more blue.  I'll have to try taking a photo tomorrow in natural light and skip the scanner. 

Golden Glow
6" x 5" watercolour

© 2013

Best Friends - Chickadee Painting

Another chickadee.... having fun with these guys.  I love watching them on my bird feeder in my backyard just about as much as I love painting them!

Best Friends

4" x 7"

Watercolour on aquabord

Holiday Chickadee - Chickadee Painting

I thought I would get a little head start on the Christmas themed painting this year.  Last year I didn't finish my holiday card painting until the middle on November which meant I was completely rushed trying to get my cards out. Not this year. Yah!  Now, I can do my cards in a completely non rushed fashion with a nice hot cup of coffee.  

Holiday Chickadee

4" x 6"

Watercolour on paper

Fall Colours - Chickadee Watercolour 4 x 6 Painting

Another chickadee painting...  Having fun painting these guys.  It's been a while since I have painted much and these guys are always fun to get back into the mode of painting. I like to think of them as my muse.  

Autumn Colours

4" x 6"

Watercolour on paper

Morning Dew - Chickadee Painting

I started this one quite some time ago....  So long ago, I actually can't remember when I started it.  Well, tonight, this little guy is finished, and varnished.  I also added a touch of glass bead medium to the leaves and flower buds...  Kinda like the dew first thing in the morning.

Morning Dew

4" x 4"

Watercolour on aquabord

Apple Splash III - Finished

I think I am finished.  I put the final details in last night and put my initials on this morning.  Overall, I am really happy with the way this turned out and with how long it took me..... less than a month!  Now, just need to let it dry and then varnish. 

Apple Splash III
9" x 12" oil on gessobord

© 2013   ----- Favourite Bits  

   

Almost Done, but Still Untitled

I am almost done this one, just a few more layers to go on the water splash and the lower portion of the apple.  It's turning out pretty good I think, considering I gave myself a time limit on it yo force myself to finish it in a reasonable time.

Untitled, work in progress

9" x 12"

Oil on gessobord

A Bit More Further Tonight

The colours of the apple painting I posted a couple nights ago just weren't doing it for me, so.... Tonight in a bit of bravery, I punched up the colours on the painting and now I think I am feeling it.  The painting, well to me anyways, seems to have a bit more drama...  Just what I was looking for.

Untitled 

9" x 12"
oil on gessobord

A Quick Update

A quick little update tonight on one of my new projects.  I am slowly getting this one done.  Almost done the first layer, then it will dry just long enough to put the second layer one.  Then, more drying and the varnish.  Well, that's the plan anyways.

Untitled

9" x 12"

oil on gessobord

Mushka - pet portrait work in progress

While the paint is drying on the oil painting, I thought I would start a portrait I promised to my parents of their puppy who has traveled the rainbow bridge.  Their last puppy was a challenge (a black puli) and I am anticipating just as much of a challenge with this little one.

Mushka

4" x 4"

Watercolour on aquabord

A New Project

Well, it has been a while. Life has been full of ups and downs he last couple months....  Not too much painting was done.  A little here and a little there, but no completed paintings.  I've started a new project just to get creative juices going again.  I've always had a liking for shiney things so I thought I would paint something shiney.

Untitled

9" x 12"

Oil on gessobord

Leonard - Pet Portrait WIP

Has it really been six weeks since I last posted?  I suppose I have been busy gardening and working on the house, but I also have been painting some on Leonard's portrait.  I have most of the second layer of fur done, just a little left to go on his left check and above his eye.  With the advice given by my dear Husband I have also added a touch of green to his eyes as they seemed much to bright yellow.  Looking at his picture, I think I could tone them down a bit more yet.

Leonard

10" x 10" oil on hardboard

© 2013    I am experimenting posting this on my tablet computer so hopefully it posts OK.  Since getting this new electronic toy I have been hardly using the old clunky computer, but I also haven't found an easy way to post on blogger. Giving the blogger app a try and if it works regular posting should resume!

Leonard - Pet Portrait Work in Progress

The last few days I have been working on Leonard's portrait.  I apologize for the angle that the photo was taken at, but at this able the light was just right to give a pretty good accuracy to Leonard's true colours.  His base coat is now done so now it is the slow going part of adding his fur with my 10/0 (tiney!) paint brush.

Leonard
10" x 10" oil on hardboard

© 2013    

Pasha - Pet Portrait Almost Done

I apologize for the glare on the painting, it is very hard to photograph wet oil paint on an overcast day.  I ended up repainting Pasha's muzzle... the colouring wasn't quite right, too white and too dark of a spot.  This version is much closer to her actual look.  She is pretty much done.  I am going to let the paint dry a little while and then see if there are any more tweaks before I sign and varnish.

Pasha
10" x 10" oil on hardboard

© 2013    

Pet Portraits - Pasha and Leonard WIP

Still plugging away at my pet portraits.... just haven't had the computer on to do an update the last few days.    Pasha has her first layer complete and I am starting the second, detailed layer.  This is where I find the portrait really comes to life as I add all the details such as her whiskers and eye lashes.

Pasha
10" x 10" oil on hardboard

© 2013    

I've also started working on of the burmese brothers, Leonard.  I am finding him a touch bit more of a challenge to fine tune the colour of his fur, but I think I am close now.  For some reason I just couldn't get a true picture of his under painting.  I'll try again when his portrait is a little more dryer.

Leonard
10" x 10" oil on hardboard

© 2013  

Pasha - Pet Portrait Work in Progress

After many excuses of why not to start this series of portraits of my pet, I've finally decided that now is the time.  Last nights efforts.... almost done the first layer.  Then I will let it dry for a few days and add in the details like her whiskers and such.

Pasha
10" x 10" oil on hardboard

© 2013

Spring Flowers

Winter, winter.... go away, come again another day......

It is amazing to remember that this time last year I was basking in the sun, the lawn was green, flowers were blooming, and most importantly winter was over!  I can definitely tell that the days are getting longer, and even the last few days of warmth and sunshine can fool one to believe that spring is here.  But, this morning waking to snow squalls was a definite reminder that winter has not given up so easily. 

Spring Flowers
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

It's A New Day

Felt like painting a simple chickadee painting last night....nothing too detailed, simple just the way I like it.  Kinda like a new day.

It's A New Day
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

Candied II - WIP Step 4

First layer of paint is now on this one!  I'll let it dry a couple of days and then will work on tweaking and adding some of the detailed light reflections.  I am a little out of practice with my oils so it is taking me a little longer that it used to get my brushes working. 

Candied II
Photo Reference by Michael King
6" x 6" oil on stretched canvas

© 2013

Dew Drops Amongst the Snow Drops

I've been a little slow on the updates to this painting....  between the end of the year rush at my day job and fighting one heck of a stubborn sinus cold just hasn't left much energy for painting.  I have managed to work on the chickadee and starting a few more of the snow drop flowers.  Flowers are my nemesis... I keep painting them hoping one day they will come easier to me.

Last week I was sure spring had finally come (hard to believe that this time last year my plum trees were blooming madly!!), but snow and the return of cold weather this past week has proved to be a rude reminder that spring doesn't actually return for another week.  sigh.  Soon, soon......

Dew Drops Amongst the Snow Drops
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

untitled - Work in Progress Step 2

A little more done on the snow drops, then I can move further along on this painting.... lots more to go to the right side (not scanned in).  The colours are a little washed out in this scan, still trying to figure out how to get them more true to life.  If it is still sunny when I get home tomorrow I'll try to take a photograph which hopefully will capture the colours a little bit better.

un-titled
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

untitled - New Watercolour Work in Progress

I'm having fun with the watercolours right now and I started another one last night and I offer a sneak peak at a small section of it.  Can you tell that I have spring on my mind?  It is hard to believe that this time last year the snow was gone and the temperatures were creeping up to the +15C mark!  This year there is still plenty of snow on the ground, though it is suppose to creep up to above zero this week.  Perhaps I will see the snowdrops soon!

un-titled
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

Twilight - Chickadee Painting

Another quick little chickadee tonight.... lots of fun painting him.  The only tricky part was coming up with a name.  I was tossing around either "Twilight" or "Butterball".....   

Twilight
6" x 4" watercolour

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - Finished!

I think I am finally finished this guy... and I am really happy with the way he has turned out.  Now... onto the next one.

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - Step 6

Back this guy tonight....  I am slowly working on defining his body using my basic colours (sepia, burnt sienna, indigo, purpite (purple)) and now I am introducing fine strokes of Chinese white watercolour.  I find that the white adds just a hint of reflection to the feathers and add that little extra dimension to the body.

I am almost finished his body, just the wings a little more on his feet to go.  Then, on the the branch and I am done!  Good thing too, I have a million more ideas for paintings to work one.

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Candied II - Work in Progress, Step 3

I've been bad with updates this last week (sorry), but just haven't had too much spare time outside work and everything else in life to do much painting.  I did manage to sit down the other night and work on my apple a little more. 

Candied II
Photo Reference by Michael King
6" x 6" oil on stretched canvas

© 2013

Candied II - Work in Progress, Step 2

I've been slowly working on the underlayer to this one that I started a couple weeks back.  It is probably going to take a couple passes at the underlayer before I am satisfied enough to start adding in the colours.  So far, I'm liking it, though I am not completely satisfied with the left side of the apple.  It has a little of the 'over worked' look.  Will have to wait until the paint dries a bit before I do anything more with it.

Candied II
Photo Reference by Michael King
6" x 6" oil on stretched canvas

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - WIP Step 5

Gosh, has it really been nearly two weeks since my last post?  I've been painting... but not on art.  Been giving my kitchen a much needed updated by painting the cabinets a beautiful creamy ivory.  In between coats I have been working on a couple paintings.  One, the cute little guy below, and the other I'll post tomorrow. 

Though it may not look like it, the little guy below has actually received quite a lot of work... mostly slowly adding colour to the breast and shadows.  I'm pretty happy with the way he is turning out and I hope to finish him soon.  Tomorrow is a stat holiday for my day job so I will have lots of time to do some painting. 

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - WIP Step 4

Been busy the last couple days with my day job so I haven't had too much time for painting.  Today, a big snow storm blew through so I took a little break late in the afternoon and got some more on this guy done. 

Starting to work on the body, adding a collection of colours:  indigo, sepia, burnt sienna, and my absolute favourite 'warm' shadow colour: Daniel Smith Purpurite Genuine.  The colours are added using my favourite brush, a 000 round, and small strokes to create the depth and lightness of the birds. 

Stay tuned for more updates this weekend!

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - WIP Step 3

More tonight, starting to work on the chickadee himself just to get a feel for the colours that will be used.  Much more colour will come to the painting as I start working on the body....  But the head (and the eye) must be done first.  Otherwise, the rest just seems out of place. 

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - WIP Step 2

A little further tonight, starting to work on the branch and the moss using my favourite Daniel Smith colours: Rich Green Gold, Indigo, Sepia, and Undersea Green. The texture on the moss is achieved using negative painting (adding the lightest colours first, than adding the shadows).  Also, any blooms that appear in the wet paint are preserved... I love the little extra randomness it adds.  The texture on the branch is a combination of wet and dry brushing. 

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Morning Sing Song - WIP

While my oil painting is drying, I thought I would start on another watercolour painting.  I absolutely love the pose of this guy... a little different from my usual pose as it is a more 'forward' look than what I normally paint.  So far, I've sketched him (picture on the left) and started laying in the background colour:  a combination of cobalt blue and ultramarine blue.  I'm loving it so far!

Morning Sing Song
4" x 6" watercolour

© 2013

Candied II - Work in Progress

I originally painted this one way back in 2009 and I thought I would give it a go again, just to see how my style of painting has changed over the last couple years.  I am using the same reference photo and the same style and size of canvas, though my choice in colours is a tad bit different (I've collected a few new colours since then).  Just like in 2009, I am starting with a tonal layer from which I will add the colours, in layers, on top.  I have to admit, I am kinda excited to see just how my painting style has changed!

Candied II
Photo Reference by Michael King
6" x 6" oil on stretched canvas

© 2013

Little Bluebird

I can't believe that it is already February, where did January go??  My little bluebird painting is now complete... well, I will let it sit for a little while and look at it again just to make sure that there isn't anything I want to change.  This little guy was an absolute pleasure to paint.  My palette was kept simple:  indigo, sepia, sienna, a touch of white for a few highlights, and ultramarine blue for the wings.  My favourite paintings, I find, tend to be the ones with the simplest palettes.

Little Bluebird
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

watercolour 4" x 6" © 2013

untitled Blue Bird - WIP

Since I have finished the ruddy duck painting, I thought I would continue on another watercolour bird I started some time ago...a blue bird!  Its been a rather eventfully last week:  started out with a family health scare and that I am happy to say that has ended happily (is that a word?).  Painting has been a bit of a therapy this past week and has helped to relax and calm. 

un-titled
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

watercolour 4" x 6" © 2013

Splash - Completed Painting

I think I am done this one... that... or I just need a break from it.  My eyes keep going buggy on the water and I think I am going to 'tight' and not loose enough with it, losing what I was originally intending.  Sometimes, I am learning, that it is better to stop at this point than to continue to fiddle with the painting. 

Well, with that thought... on to the next painting!

Splash
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

watercolour © 2013

Mr. Fuzzy - Step 2

I've been slowly plugging away at most of my unfinished paintings, though none are finished yet.  Some are getting close!  And by most, I mean the smaller unfinished paintings.  I still have a number of larger oils on canvas that are waiting to be worked on....  the plan is that once these smaller one are then I can move to them. 

 Mr. Fuzzy

5" x 7" oil on hardboard © 2013

Splash - A Little Further Along

Back to watercolours tonight, and working a little more on my little duck.  I'm starting to shape the water and splashes around the duck and trying to add a little movement to the water.  So far, so good.

Splash
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

watercolour © 2013

Mr. Fuzzy - Work in Progress

Another work in progress that I've started.  I find it easier to have several paintings on rotation to work on while the paint dries since I have a habit of dragging my arm through wet paint.  A limited palette on this one:  titanium-zinc white, naples yellow, and asphaltum.

 Mr. Fuzzy

5" x 7" oil on hardboard © 2013

Winter Berries - Step 3

I am working on a couple paintings at the same time right now... going back and forth between them as the paint dries.  Tonight was some work on my robin painting that I started some time ago and specifically on the branch and berry.  So far so good!

 Winter Berries
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012

Ever Watching

I just might be done this one - I am going to let it hang on the wall for a little while just to see if anything pops out that needs to be adjusted.  Otherwise, I will let it dry and then varnish.

 Ever Watching
Photo Reference:  Alan and Elaine Wilson

10" x 8" oil on hardboard © 2012