On the easel ~ Cougar progress update

Moving along briskly now on the cougar painting.  I decided to add another dimension by including branches and fall leaves.  I have a lot of fine tuning to do before completion but feeling rather well about it's progress.


This painting is an 11" x 14" acrylic on Amperstand board. 

On the easel ~ Pacific Underwater painting progress

A little progress report as promised.  I've been painting primarily base coat on the newly added items.  (view previous post for comparison) I painted in some missing details as well on the right hand side.  The kelp is taking a lot longer to paint than I had thought.  Right now the little otters look like bullets.  I don't think I'll be happy until I paint those much needed details in to make them look real.  THEN I can really get charged to wrap up all the loose details in the remaining kelp. This painting like others will take stages of development.  After finishing up the otters, I need stop and add the sun light filtering through from above.  Then I will proceed to the foreground kelp to wrap it up.  


There is a LOT of real estate here to cover.  This is a 24" x 36" painting.  It always amazes me how some can zip through paintings this size.  Though, perhaps they are more familiar with their subject matter.  This is new territory for me. Those familiar with my work know.   Because there is little reference material (like photographs), I'm having to just use recall and imagination to pull it together.


I love a good challenge as you know!  ha ha ha!  More to come.......  Thanks for stopping by and checking in.  : ) : ) : )

On the easel ~ Pacific Underwater painting progress

Don't all New Years start with a new promise?   I'm not sure what adventures will unfold for the upcoming months.  I'm an optimist myself and feel we make our own destiny.   


My plan for this year is much like the years past; work harder, be more creative and pave a new path. (and be darn careful what you wish for, ha ha ha)


I'm back at work on my new Pacific underwater painting for the time being.   This subject matter still proves to be a learning experience as I go.  


As soon as I finish the kelp visible here in the photo, I'll be adding the underwater critters.   I have no photo reference to study and work from.   I've studied the critter and drawn it out according to observation.  I think I have good understanding of the anatomy and her design function or movements through the water.   


I should think it will take another several days to complete the kelp and I will add in the critters.  (Yup, it's a surprise unless you've kept up with my travels and articles here.)   I'll repost updates as time permits. 


For all those I have not had the pleasure of chatting with, I wish you and yours a healthy, prosperous New Year!         

Winter in the studio ~ On the easel

The cool winter temperatures are keeping the studio a bit chilly.  Oil paintings back on the wall and on to a bit of acrylic painting for now.


On the easel now for a week or so is this cougar with miles to go. (so it seems)  She is a beautiful cougar and I love painting her.  She has a sweet face as cougars go.


I've started on the eyes which I find draws me into the painting process easier.  Today I'll work my way down through the base coats from the mouth down to the base of the painting and back to the upper areas filling in the thickness of the hair and it's details.


The holidays are fast approaching.  It's comes on way to fast for comfort given what I would like to accomplish before hand.    


I've not painted a cat (my favorite) in some time.   It's always a good thing to throw in a kitty to warm up the brushes and my heart.

Autumn and Winter in the Studio

Last year I started this  painting of a male Elk.  It's been hanging on my studio wall ever since set aside for other pressing work that needed to be completed.


Winter is a wonderful time to hunker down in the studio and catch up on all those such paintings.
It's a bit chilly out and rain is in the forecast.


This Male Elk making his presence known to all those willing gals is once again on the easel.
Yesterday I began by filling in all the rocks beneath his feet.  Today much of that is still to wet to work on so I'll be painting in the legs and slowly working in the body.

In the image to the right you can see the rocks are roughed in.  It will be a slow process tying all upper and lower levels of water together.   Oil dries way to slow during the chilly winter months.  


The Elk painting measures 22" x 28" and is on stretched canvas.


So far I'm still on my original design track.  However, anything can change as I see something that can me made better as I move along.

As you can see the level of the water drops off the further back into the image.   The water in the foreground will be shallow.   I'll be leaving some of the rocks above the waters surface to enhance the look.


As mentioned above I'll be letting the work from yesterday dry while I begin work on his legs.


I'll post the progress as time allows.   I hope you have enjoyed the painting process so far.  I do believe there are earlier posts from last year.  I''ll check that to make sure.    And repost if anyone is interested if not.

News, Updates and New Announcing new print releases.

The month of September was one of those rare but brilliant vacations of all time.   One month at on the Southern California Coast.


Mornings often foggy burned off by mid afternoon in time for some sun and exploration.  We ventured south along the coast for some kayaking and site seeing.    We re-visited some of our favorite places like Coronado, La Jolla, Carlsbad and Cabrillo Beach just to name a few.  


I'll be slowly posting in my other blog (Wildlife Art with Brenda D. Johnson, click tab right column) about these adventures and discoveries.    The sunsets, ocean breezes and the many species of wildlife will be relived through my upcoming works.   I have several in mind to create featuring shore life.


We've been back now for almost three weeks and working double paced getting ready for the next show this weekend at San Dimas Wildlife Art Festival.  (check my main site for schedule and information)

I'd like to also announce a new print series of two small works.   The image to the right titled: "Fierce Abbreviated" featuring a Saw Whet Owl and a new Owl painting titled: "Ranch Hand" a 5x7" acrylic on board.  The original is available on the latter of the two mentioned and was the subject of my last post here.  


If you are in Southern California this next week end, please stop by and say hello and enjoy a great wildlife show.   : ) : ) : ) 

On the easel ~ Saw Whet Owl

Work continues on the little Saw Whet Owl.  It's very close to completion at this point.   More shadows will be painted in beneath him adding more dimension to the overall piece.   More fine tuning of the visible leg and talon.


I spent this morning prepping some small canvases. Each 6 x 6".  I'll be taking these with me on my September adventure.  (I can hear the sound of the waves as I type this)   The drawing will go in on each this afternoon.   (Surprises for the next show in October in San Dimas.)    


Please check my "Schedule Page" on the main website for the dates and time.  San Dimas is a fun show to do.  I'm looking forward to it.
The venue will return to it's original location as well.  The Civic Center in Downtown San Dimas.


 It's always great to catch up with all these folks and meet new ones.  Please stop by my booth and say "Hello".