Monday, February 28, 2011

WET AND...

Finding an interesting photo at WetCanvas of a wet and bedraggled crow, I printed it out and kept it on the back burner for a while.  Finally got it out and started it this week. 

Thursday night, while watching t.v. and hearing a noise that sounded like someone dropping something on a piece of plastic over and over, I looked up and realized the ceiling was leaking - a tiny drip drip drip from a tiny seam coming away from the wall.    It had been raining all Wednesday night into Thursday night, steady, heavy, always raining.  Obviously, a leak in the roof into the attic that was dripping down enough to cause problems with the ceiling.  So....



I thought this was appropriate to share this now, even though it's just started.

And I titled it before Thursday night.

It's called Wet but I'm thinking about calling it
Rainy Days Always Make Me Blue (there will be a lot of blue in the crow and in the ledge on which he's perched.

If you've never used WetCanvas' large Image Library, you should - all the photos are copyright free and good reference when you can't get your own photos of specific things.


This is where is stands right now with more color in the breast where much of the reflected blue is showing.  I'll need to make the feathers more "piecey" to look wet, too.

















And guess who will be getting a new roof this spring?

18 comments:

Christiane Kingsley said...

I am very sorry to hear about your roof, Rhonda. Hopefully you won't get too too much rain before it can be fixed.
The wet crow is looking really good. As for WetCanvas, I am there every day and love their picture reference library...I certainly try to stay away from their most favorite pictures that too many people have used...When I use one of their pictures, I really try to change it enough to really make it mine: either a change in color, background or a simple cropping.
Stay dry with wet brushes :-)

jgr said...

Oh I'm sorry about your leaking roof. Your wet crow is looking great! and thank you for the info on the reference photos, I'm going to check it out.

Debbie said...

Oh dear... nothing worse than a leaky roof. Hope you get it sorted before you float away. Love your crow, your bg is lovely.

Must hop over and take a look at the photos in WC. Haven't been there in a while!

Carol Blackburn said...

Sorry to hear about the roof woes. I know thay say "into everyone's life a little rain must fall" but, we all hope it stays outside. Your crow is coming out wonderfully. Look forward to seeing it complete.

hw (hallie) farber said...

I'm gonna love this crow.

Thanks for the WetCanvas tip; I had never heard of it. I was out taking photos today--77 degrees and 77-mph winds; I had to hold on to the car. Tomorrow will be back to cold.

Vicki Greene said...

Sorry about the roof. The crow is looking great!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, everyone! It could have been worse with the rain although last night was a doozy of a storm!! My Sweetie got up in the attic and found the problem and put a bucket down to catch water from future storms until we get it fixed - then Sunday he got up on the roof and patched a bit as a stop-gap measure. Waiting for spring and days of no rain to call a roofer.

Christiane, I know what you mean about WetCanvas - I have seen some paintings of the same photo over and over - don't think there are many who are into crows like me?

Hallie, I think you took your life in your hands in that weather out shooting photos!! The things we do for art :)

I'm glad some of your hadn't heard of WetCanvas - they do have a very good Image Reference Library - you have to sign in to get to it but just create a sign-in name and stuff - it's free and they are constantly updating the library.

The wet crow will come along soon and then more exercises from the figure book.

Sadami said...

Dear Rhonda,
Sorry for the roof, but do relax. The title of the work makes me worried about you--or if you put it from a sense of humor, I'd admrie you. The crow's eye is very interesting and impressive.
Cheers, Sadami

Gretchen Bjornson ART said...

Wow am I behind....I've missed quite a bit on your blog! Lots of figure drawings to see! I too enjoy Carol Carter's work!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Sadami. I am fine. Just will need a new roof in the spring - whenever that comes :)

Hi, Gretchen, good to see you!

Caroline Simmill said...

Rhonda your crow is wonderful! sorry to hear about your roof.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Caroline. Ah, bad roofs happen - I think they do need to be replaced every 15-20 years or so, yes? Maybe more frequently?

Jane said...

Rhonda you must have got a thing about birds, i remember when i first found your blog, you were painting ravens most of the time, and you were very GOOD in doing so, this little crow is so great , too. Too bad about the leaking roof, but with all the rain and snow we have had this winter ( in Europe too)..almost inevitable. I am in the same bad situation,..have to change my roof, too!

RH Carpenter said...

Jane, there is some strange connection to crows which I don't understand but I've had it for years - whenever I hear a crow, I look up and smile. Perhaps I was a crow in a previous lifetime? :) New roof, new paint, new carpets, new this and that - the joys of being a homeowner :)

Gillian Mowbray said...

I adore your wet crow - he's just right. bad news about the roof - sounds expensive too. x

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Gillian. Yes, a few thousand dollars because shingles have to come off to replace bad wood underneath. It's needed it for a while. I figure this needs to be done every 15-20 years so not that expensive when you consider the years you have it :)

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

Roofing - no fun! It also cuts into the vacation fund -
Looking forward to seeing more on the crows. My hats's off to you with all the work you're doing with the exercises on figures. Bravo girl! Sorry I've not been able to comment more. 'Tis the busy season at my new full time job. Rather cuts into my sketching. Am rebelling tomorrow for at least an hour :)

RH Carpenter said...

I know what you mean, Pam, about roofing!! But it has to be done before more damage comes around. I have a couple more crow photos to use in another painting, too - think I may be ready to get back to them as soon as I finish the figure book. Other things have taken me away from the blogs of friends, too, lately, but I'll catch up soon.