I painted the bird and the shadow first. Then I wanted to do something to look like sidewalk (or beach sand) with lots of texture and interesting blobs of color. So I covered the bird and shadow with paper towels and went to town splattering with lots of different colors, using a toothbrush and then a paint brush. Then spritzing with water. Of course, I ended up with an outline around the bird (could be a crow of a different color?) and the shadow. So I splattered more without the covering and went crazy. I had to let that all dry and went back into the bird and shadow and reiterated the colors and shapes. Used Goethite Brown (Brown Ocher) from Daniel Smith and Cobalt Violet Deep for the color on the bird - with a touch of Lunar Earth mixed with both colors to darken the underside.
21 comments:
This is fantastic--I'm loving your crows.
It's like he's looking at his shadow and wondering who the heck is splattering him with paint.
I love this. It's a simple composition but is full of life. I also love the name of that paint hue -'lunar earth'. x
Such a wonderful painting, Rhonda....he really looks curious about that shadow.
More crows! Keep 'em coming!
I like the feeling of this one, a little solitary and he looks somewhat perplexed at this shadow thing that keeps following him...:)
I add some masking fluid around the edges of a larger piece about 1/2 inch in so I can add to the background without risking damage to the original focal piece. You can get away with it if you're a bit careful.
Adding a shape mask helps too, as you did with the paper towel, but you end up with overlap as you've discovered. :)
ionizedHi Rhonda--Really neat techniques. I'm a big splatter nut. It always seems to set things off--activate space. That little guy is so fragile next to all that concrete. Very nice piece! Also saw your framed peeps--Sweet!
Nice, I would never have imagined that the crow and shadow were painted first unless you mentioned it Rhonda, really really well done, I love your experimentation and playful approach to these :D
This is wonderful , really looks like sand, you did an incredible work to obtain that sensation. And the crow...hilarious, in the good way of course. Well done Rhonda.
Thanks, Hallie. I'm glad you're enjoying the continuation of the series.
Gillian, thanks - I wanted it to just be about the bird and shadow but it was too plain so had to splatter and add some texture and fun.
Carol, thanks!
Jeanette, a good tip shared - if I remember to do it next time I'm in that dilemma :)
Thanks, Bill - are you ionized or am I? ha ha
Teresa, thanks - it helps to plan but sometimes your plan just doesn't work out and just white paper around him wasn't doing the trick.
Jane, thanks - it could be sand, could be concrete - either way, I'm glad of the extra oomph it added.
Love your crows, Rhonda. I agree that this simple composition is very lively!
This sounds like the work of artist is difficult and full of concern and activity! ))
Ooooh, I love this one, Rhonda.
Jane
This is really terrific! I especially love the colors.
Thank you, Pam, Jane and Gretchen! Irina, yes, we must struggle at times but if it wasn't mostly joyful, I wouldn't be doing it :)
I JUST LIKE IT. PERIOD.
TAMPA GRANNY
Thanks, Tampa Granny. 'Nuff said :)
I absolutely love what you have captured here! Wow!
Thanks, Katherine! I've gotten such positive responses from this one, I'm amazed because it's a simple painting - but I do like it, too. There is something about it that just works :)
Absolutely fabulous--I LOVE it!
Thanks so much, Laura :) I think I'll put it in the upcoming June show.
This painting made me smile. There is something about it that is just wonderful. I love the way he is looking down at his shadow.
Thanks, Carol. I received so many positive comments about this one - for some reason it struck a chord with people :)
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