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.

On the easel ~ Saw Whet Owl

It’s been a varied summer so far combining painting, field trip studies and a trip to Ohio for several weeks.

I’ve started more paintings than I think I’ll ever be able to complete

and had to set them aside for more pressing ones with deadlines.

The field trip (mentioned in the previous post) will be on my companion blog for those who are interested in the pacific underwater

piece.   Of course, I’ve just returned from Ohio only Monday so

that adventure (and an interesting one) will be forthcoming as well.

There is approximately three weeks at the easel and off on yet another adventure.  I’ll be spending some time at the beach with dual purpose,

both fun and reference photos.  

My next show is in October and I’ll be finishing up some small works

for that venue. (check my main website calendar for dates).

There are several reference photos that look interesting for same; i.e.   The Saw Whet Owl I’m in the process of painting now, and I was thinking of painting a beautiful swan.  I have a dove in a nest in which the colors are amazing that I might squeeze in as well. 

I’m missing my favorite subject cats !  It’s been some time since I painted one and feel an itch to do so.  It’s often so hard to decide

which subject to paint.  Too may options!

Here is the beginnings of the little owl.  It’s a 5” x 7” acrylic on board.

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!    :- )

Domestic Cat ? On the Easel........

One more on the easel.  This new piece is an acrylic on board.  The background has been air brushed in and the cat is in the rough stage of base coat.  The painting is an 8" x 10" in size.  Generally, I do like to paint in the eyes first.  Giving some life to a piece helps me feel the subject I'm working on.   I'll post as this piece progresses. 


Happy Memorial Weekend to all.  I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather.  Sunny California has certainly seen it's share of clouds and rain this spring.

Flying Squirrel ~ On the Easel........... cont............

Moving along slowly..........  still more work to do on his hair and other fine details.


Mustering the motivation to paint when spring is calling is most difficult. The view of the forest and birds at the two feeders reminds me I need to get outdoors!    I need a hiking buddy for short excursions!!    Rain again on Sunday and Monday...........    so perhaps I can think about painting feverishly then right? lol, lol.........  :- )