Here is the latest update on my oil on canvas Elk Painting.  Today I'm trying ever so hard to keep my focus.  The Holiday is fast approaching and it seems more appropriate to bake cookies, plan for dinner quests and so forth.


I'll stay on task today and perhaps sneak out of the studio later for those cookies!  The dough is in the refrigerator waiting to be rolled out and cut with cookie cutters.  :- )


I'll be painting in the second layer on the antlers today.  This layer will simply define the grooves and directional growth on them.  As you can see, I've left a significant portion of the canvas vaguely defined with rocks.  I prefer leaving the canvas somewhat clean in preparation for many layers of washes which will still reveal them. This technique is only used with water.   I'll add more golden colors along with some dark shadows as these layers progress.  Under the hooves, the Elk has kicked up some bottom sediment.    The final few layers will reveal blue sky reflections and water movement.  


This is a rather large painting.  As stated in earlier post, 22" x 28".  Seems small size to some, but for all the detail I try to paint in, it's HUGE!  


Drying time makes for a slow process in this large piece. ( I've yet to find a happy resolve to painting water with acrylics which I have recently worked with) .  A challenge for a later day...    I'd say with the thin washes I apply at any given time, a couple of days sometimes more hanging on the wall is adequate.


When working strictly with oils, I might have as many as five paintings or so hanging on the wall between stages.  These days since also working with acrylic, it's not a matter of staging a rotation of paintings dry enough to return to.  I love that aspect of acrylic painting.     


I'll post a new progress image after I have started on the fore ground.    If anyone has any questions regarding my techniques, please feel free to post them.  I'll answer as soon as I can.  Of course, you can always email your questions for a speedier response.


Warm wishes everyone!    :- )

New Print Release

Brenda D. Johnson Wildlife Art website updates are being updated as I type this including a new print release of "Night Moves" pictured here.   The image size is  a 9" x 12".  This Giclee is printed on canvas.


Canvas prints are truly lovely!  Each signed and numbered limited edition looks much like an original painting.  Archival inks and cotton duck canvas gives you years of enjoyment and way outlasts old 4 color process methods.


Other updates added are a number of Small Works now available.  Look for Ravens, Song Bird, Polar Bear, Raccoon, and two mini Hawksbill Turtles to name a few.   These small originals come custom framed to bring out the best of the subject matter and overall painting.


There is still time to collect one of these new works as gifts for yourself and or your loved ones.


Follow the link to www.bdjohnsonart.com for more information.  Feel free to call the studio if you have any questions regarding payment methods, shipping methods or the Artists inspiration in reference to the piece being considered.  We look forward to hearing from Wildlife enthusiast always !  


Happy Holidays to you and yours from the studio of Brenda D. Johnson Wildlife Art !   :-)

7 Point Elk ~ On the easel

This drawing of a 7 point Male Elk was started some time ago.  It was set aside to finish more pressing works due at that time.  I've pulled the canvas out and started working on it again.  It will probably take some time to finish.  One, it's a 22" x 28" oil on canvas.  Two speaking of oil there is the drying time in between the coats or washes and layers upon layers of hair and other details to add.


The background will be water.  He will be standing in a river, shallow where he stands.  Rocks will be visible beneath the surface.


I had chatted with a gentlemen last year who had really wanted me to paint in a background with a familiar area.  Often paintings that evoke a memory are the ones people are more likely to purchase.   He is right of course.  However, I LOVE water and painting it.  I've yet to paint water with these elements before so I'll just proceed for now with the original concept design.    


I'd love to sell works of course, however there are particular things that draw me in and get me excited about a painting.  In this piece of course the Elk is amazing but the water being challenging at best draws the enthusiasm even higher for me.


So it's back to the easel with an oil painting this time.  I will post it's progress as soon as time allows.