New WIP

Here is Madame X The beginning sketches and study, with a texture thought for the background. John Singer Sargent is one of my favorite portraiture artists. Her sketch needs more work, arm is too long, hand needs moved up.......shadow and skintone will bring out stature and posture.

Bird studies.........

Some common sparrows from our bird feeder.
Have been working really hard to understand
feathers and their structure, how they are used in flight and rest. Sure hope I get more hawk pictures soon! A good piece of advice:
learn birds in groups. I went from hawks to common sparrows and it took me a day or two to stop making these poor little birds from looking like vicious hawks LOL

Bluebird study a WIP

Here is my bluebird study in progress. Have been bringing in samples of brush from the fields. I used a patio brick and glued a Sahara floral foam to it for supports. Works pretty well, as two of the pieces are 5' tall. Have decided on my colours and am almost ready to do it in full size. Probably about 22"x 15". As you can see, many different photos were taken and I used my photo editor to get value studies and lighting decisions. Am hoping soon to have some better photos of some hawks. Maybe if it snows there will be better opportunities for me!

Back From Deer Season :)

Hello Fellow Bloggers LTNS!
Things can maybe get back to semi-normal now. Haven't painted much, but I did however, get a new Nikon D60 with 2 lens for Christmas! So, no more sweating over how to get that bird the next time it flies by. Am currently studying raptors as I paint people (does this made sense to you???..it does to me!) The woods have been seeing a lot of me and the camera lately. Sure am hoping to capture some good images soon. Saw a huge owl last week BC (Before Camera lol). Of course, today I saw only a small hawk fly by as we sat and froze on a log! Keep painting and have a great week!

Ouch.......a lesson on when to quit lol
I should have left it on it's own and looking illustrative. Ah well, my niece is only 3 so she won't mind my stumble. She will love Bath Bunny as he is. I used my own photos from the local fair for this one.

Jordan looking quite serious.

Here is my youngest son in repose in a field. Need to get his upper lip showing a bit more and then just a little bit of touch ups to bring out that final "oooh ahhh"

A simple portrait.