BLUE JAYS COMING AROUND

Almost done but some more color and shaping to do on both birds before it's finished. 

BLUE JAY MAMA AND BABY

The Winsor Newton texture medium dried on the branches and I began painting them, paying attention to the colors and lights in the photo.  Added a little Cobalt blue to the background sky while it was wet.


Birds come next!

BLUE JAYS IN SPRING

From a quick photo taken out the kitchen window, a mama bluejay feeding a baby.  This one shows both of them but not the actual feeding (didn't care that much for that photo as a future painting).

I printed out the photo to 5 x 7 inches and then, taking a half sheet of tracing paper, I drew the image on the tracing paper.  Then traced the drawing onto watercolor paper (a half sheet Arches 140# coldpress).

Before I began painting the background, I used Winsor Newton Texture Medium on the branches to give them more oomph.

After that dried, the background was painted.

Although I'm calling this Blue Jays in Spring, we are not really having spring - or just a few hours in between snow squalls.  This has been the strangest spring season yet for us and one doesn't know whether to put on a coat, a jacket, or a teeshirt.  I guess it could be worse.  We are, at least, not having feet of snow dumped on us (like they are in the northern plains).  I keep thinking spring will come...but what if it doesn't?  I ordered some Heirloom vegetable seeds for my Mom to plant - we may have them late this year as we are still having frost warnings at night.  OK, enough complaining.  I am lucky in so many ways and looking out on the mini-blizzard of snowflakes is actually very beautiful.

CONTINUED FIDDLING

Small changes are being made, but it's not changing much.  Perhaps I'll put it away for a while and get it out later to see what it needs.

This is the last iteration.

Think I'll put it aside for now and come back to it another time.  (You can see where I cropped off the edges, lightened some areas with oil pastels.)

DARK ANGEL

Got out my charcoal and conte pencils and sticks and blocks.  Used a fourth sheet of Arches 140# coldpress.




Dark Angel

PAPA RED FINISHED

A bright papa red bird (cardinal) in the snow.  


Are we finished with snow yet?  Maybe?

MORE SNOW, MORE CARDINALS

Yes, we got snow again.  Maybe Mother Nature doesn't know it's April?  
Anyway, with snow comes bright red cardinals.  I put out lots of food for them all but the cardinals know how good they look in the snow and are the first ones to arrive.  


Several years ago, I learned that Papa Red cares for the babies after they've fledged out of the nest - he is constantly gathering food and feeding them, and keeping them hidden until they can feed themselves.  What a good Papa!  I'm sure Mama is sharing in the duties but it's that bright red spark of color against the snow that gets the attention = so handsome!

PALIMPSEST - STAGE 3

Continuing to work this piece to see where it goes...

This one has some pastel pencil on it.
Still needs to be toned down, I think.  

(Not sure how that green, flying cat holding the blue ball got in the upper right corner??)

AND SO IT CHANGES

Using a mix of white gesso mixed with water and acrylic matte medium, I covered over bits and places on the original painting.  Then added more in using the same materials as the original painting = watercolor, walnut ink, water soluble graphite pencils, watercolor inks, etc.  Whatever comes to hand, I use to make marks and changes.  


It's still too close to the original so more changes to come.  I just want to see where this one ends when I've finished (or cannot add anything more to the paper).

PALIMPSEST CONTINUES

Using watercolor, thick, water soluble graphite pencils, resists (a white candlestick), and walnut ink, I covered the whole sheet (a half sheet of Arches 140# coldpress).


Next = to remove, add, change what's there to become something else...we'll see where the muse takes me.

PEEPS AGAIN

Calling this one

There's One in Every Crowd

Happy Easter

PALIMPSEST

Palimpsest 

start

This one is going to be a work in progress for a while, as I cover/uncover/

change/revise until I get it where I want it.

pal·imp·sest

ˈpaləm(p)ˌsest/

noun

1. a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.

   • something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form.

A LITTLE BIRD WITH AN ATTITUDE

Just a little nuthatch, a copy of a painting in a magazine.  I liked the angle.  Since it's a copy, can't do anything with it, but it was fun to try to get the belly and feathers painted without overworking.


Of course, this could be a wren?  They usually have the tailfeathers up, so perky with an attitude :)  I like the little Carolina Wrens and they are singing at this time of year - so loud and so pretty.  Seems like all the birds are singing (calling for mates or just happy that spring weather is near?).  


I even saw a mama bluejay feeding a baby the other day - so soon to have babies, but nature never stops for weather conditions.  And it's almost April.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate.  Did you get a new Easter dress or bonnet?  Are your flowers starting to bud and bloom?  Spring...new beginnings.

GUARDING THE PEEPS

Well, these aren't all birds, but it's that time of year for painting Peeps.  I just can't resist because they are so much fun, no matter what color or shape they are.




Guardian Peeps

9 x 9.5 inches
Arches 140# coldpress paper

INTERESTED GRACKLE

There are a lot of grackles out at the feeders.  When the sun shines on their black feathers, you see that they are not all black.  

Too bad, they are not crows, but they are helping me paint "black" without just black.

This is just a small piece of watercolor (140# coldpress) paper and I painted the background, then drew in the bird using Derwent GraphicTint and InkTense pencils, wetting it to blend a bit.  The feathers show a bit more, doing it this way.  

I may have to try a crow this way next time.  But I think we are in need of some color - so maybe a few cardinals or bluejays or...???

THAT TIME OF YEAR

You know it's that time of year - Peeps are in the stores.  Which means, time to paint some Peeps!  And they are birds :)




Easter Peeps 1, 2018

9 x 9 1.5 inches
Arches 140# coldpress paper

FLYING X 2

I used the previous flying crow painting as reference for this one.  It was drawn using Daniel Smith's Walnut Ink and then water added to blend that...then watercolor (only Indanthrone Blue).  
I drew out the feathers/lines with a bamboo pen and the walnut ink.  





Much different from the first one (below), where I only used Daniel Smith Lunar Black in the painting and drizzled the lines outward from the back, putting down water and pigment and tilting the painting so everything ran that way.

HOP HOP ALONG

A little bunny postcard hopping it's way...a long way...to...?

The top is the underpainting in gouache and then overlaying some fur using my Inktense pencils and blending a bit to tone down the pink and orange coloring in the underpainting.  


I hope the recipient likes her :)




In spite of another snow accumulation after a day of rain, spring will come - maybe just a bit late.  I guess Mother Nature is telling us, no matter what the date is, She is still in charge!

SKY BLUE CROW CALLING

Another in the crow series, of course.  He's calling to his sweetie, I think, telling her spring is coming :)

FOGGY MORNING IN THE FIELD

A small (7 x 14 inches) painting of a foggy morning a few autumns ago.  

Here, in Kentucky, we're hoping for spring.  Although winter is still holding on, we are thankful that we didn't get the snowmageddens they got in the northeast over the last few weeks - those poor folks may not see spring until May!

I got off the postcard and/or bird themes with this one...but don't worry, more birds to come! ha ha

And Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya!

BUNNIES

Ready for some Easter bunnies?
I got out my postcards (Jack Richeson blank watercolor cards made up as postcards, ready on the back to address and mail) and decided that Easter was close enough to start thinking about bunnies.

A little flop-earned bunny to start us off.
She looks a little sad.

And this one looks a little grumpy!  Maybe I can't "do" cute??

RED SKY CROW

Another crow.  
I manipulated this one in my photo program, just for fun, and then painted, using that as a reference.  So he's very blue with a very red sky. 
I like it.  

WORKING ON SOME MORE POSTCARDS

Just for fun, I kept at the little bee postcard painting and got it looking halfway presentable.  And then did another.  Not sure about it.  But now I have two bees (or not two bees?).

FLUID WATERCOLOR PAPER BLACKBIRD

Using the Fluid Watercolor paper I purchased some time ago for another black bird - not a crow, but still in the Year of the Bird theme, a grackle with a blue patch.  Grackles are rowdy birds that take over the feeders, when they can, and are pretty noisy, but when the sun hits their black feathers you can see those feathers shine with blue and purple and green iridescence.  Still, most people don't like them because they are so pushy.

THE GENEROSITY OF ARTISTS

Artists are well-known for sharing their work, either with auctions which go to good causes, or just to each other, each person receiving and giving of the artwork created.  I have been very fortunate to meet, online, artists who have wanted to share their work with me, as I want to share with them.  It is a definite win-win situation.  I have many paintings on my walls from artist/blogger friends, and I cherish each one.


These lovely little birds arrived, out of the blue, as a belated birthday gift to me from my friend and fellow blogger, Sadami.  They flew all the way from Sydney, Australia, to get to me - and it was a wonderful surprise.  Sadami has such a light touch with watercolor - she says, in a few brushstrokes, just what is needed, and no more :)  Love her work - and her illustrations in 2 children's books so far have just brought her name to the forefront in picture book illustration.

And what did she get in return from me?

This little bluejay flying as fast as he can on a postcard I picked up in St. Augustine, Florida.  I hope this little "bluebird of happiness" brings her much happiness through the year.  

But that's not all!  This week also brought me a watercolor and ink painting from Canada and my friend and fellow blogger, Bruce Sherman!  He sent it because, when I discovered his wife, Deb, collects ladybugs, I had to send her my little ladybug on a postcard painting.  

He matted it for me, too, so it's ready to put into a frame and hang on the wall.  

This, also, was a special surprise - not just for the artwork, but for the connections we often make through our blogging and artwork.  One never knows when someone will come along who makes a difference in ones life by just something they think is simple, of no real consequence.  So it always helps to be kind, be open, and be willing to share your talent and skills with others.



I thank you so much, Sadami and Bruce!  I got the better deal on these exchanges, but I hope your little postcards bring you much pleasure in the coming days.  

Oh, and another little postcard is winding it's way to....Scotland.  Look for it in your postbox, Caroline :)  

BIRTHDAY GIFT CARD = ART SUPPLIES

We all know that art supplies are not cheap - so it's always great to get a gift card for a birthday or Christmas present.  Then you can spend a few minutes choosing some new art supplies (or replacing those things you have about exhausted in your kit).  So for my birthday, I got a gift card from Dick Blick Art Supplies - and bought some replacement pigment (2) and a new watercolor block I've never tried, and 3 new brushes.  I had to kick in a bit of $ for the final cost, but it was fun picking out things.  How about you?  Do you like getting artist gift cards for presents?

(My birthday was in January but the family couldn't get together until February and I just received the things I ordered.)

I also pulled out a pack of Strathmore blank postcards I had with my printmaking paper, along with a block of 6 x 8 inch Fluid Watercolor paper.  I'll be using them to play and make little things to send to friends :) 
 (Caroline, I have your address now and will be sending you something by next week - I imagine it will take a week to get there to snowy Scotland, but one never knows.)

Wish I could share the little bee painting on the postcard, but I ruined it :(  Will try another.

DARKER BACKGROUND

Darkened some places in the background.  Done.  Looks like he's doing his morning stretches.

Now time to do a little postcard with a bee buzzing on it :)







And it's finally March with hopes of spring!  The last few days of February brought so much rain that the Ohio River went past flood stage and stayed that way for days.  Many streets are closed and some towns along the Ohio have homes flooded - and yet, people still are shown trying to drive through 3 feet of water and having to be rescued.  Hope it dries out for everyone soon.

MARCH MAKES ME THINK OF PEEPS

March makes me think of spring, which makes me think of painting Peeps.  But for now, I'll start a little bee on postcard.

This is not a vintage postcard, but one I picked up when we saw the Hemingway House in Key West, Florida years ago.  

CROW CONTINUES - DARKER COLORS

Added some dark colors over the Shadow Violet underpainting, trying to make it still read as "black" but without using black.  Next the background will need some darks here and there.  You cannot change one thing in a painting without changing something else :)  

CROW BEGINNING

I started this one using a few greens in the background and Shadow Violet in the crow.  I will add color or darkness to it next.  

BLUEJAY ON A POSTCARD

Using a postcard, gouache and colored pencil, I made this little bluejay flying - it's going to be flying to a friend soon.

I started another (I'm now using postcards I've collected and never sent).  One tip:  When putting on colored pencil over gouache, make sure the gouache is dry.  I didn't do that and the colored pencil just lifted the gouache and some of the postcard off :(  Oh, well, start over.

I think it's time to put a little bee on a postcard, don't you?

I WARNED YOU THERE WOULD BE CROWS

No caws for alarm.
Just another crow.

CROW

I reworked the crow by just adding some pigment and water and letting the water move the pigment out...a sense of movement?  


Still working on The Year of the Bird so you'll be seeing many more crows this year...along with every other kind of feathered friend.

LADY BUG = LADYBIRD BEETLE

Painted, using gouache, on the 3rd vintage postcard sent to me for the Val Webb online class.  After the computer crash, I was wary about going on with the online videos so am just using the postcards and what I learned in the class so far.  This little ladybug seemed like a good thing to add to the postcard :)  All using gouache only to paint her there.

No hearts and flowers for Valentine's Day but she's red :)



Do you have any old postcards lying around - or ones you've collected but not used or sent?  Just "age" them with watercolor or tea or coffee staining - and paint something...and then mail them off to a friend!

ICE, ICE, BABY

Had enough ice cover everything the other day/night and cold enough for it to stay on most things for a couple of days.  It is very pretty in the sunlight.  Not so nice when you have to scrape it off your car windows and you're stuck in the driveway because ice has melted and refrozen under your tires :(

FLYING

OK, my laptop died - now my Keurig coffee maker (after just receiving a new box of K-cups).  What next?

Time to fly away.  Perhaps a cabin in the woods.  Or a cottage on the beach.  Or...


Another crow, using only Lunar Black by Daniel Smith.  A great pigment.

Found this beautiful male cardinal on the ground the other day :(  
We still have 3 males and 3 or 4 females coming to the feeders.  I wonder, if they were all mated up, what happens to the lone female?

POSTERIZED AND PAINTED = SPOOKY

When I was on Anna Maria Island last month, I saw a notice for a member's show at the Manatee Art Center in Bradenton.  I didn't go, but liked the image that won first place (and I had seen it in real life in December during a gallery tour in Holmes Beach on the island).  I am 99% sure that the artist took her photo into PhotoShop (or a similar photo program), unsaturated the photo and then used the Posterize tool in the program to get the shapes she painted in after transferring the photo to her watercolor paper.  

I thought I'd try it on one of my Savannah, GA photos of an old building.  It was a bit tedious, since I didn't enlarge the photo much (just an 8 x 11 inch size paper). 

Now, some people will tell you they don't posterize their work to get this look - but they do.  And I learned this technique years ago in a Nick Simmons workshop as one way to "manipulate" your original photo using the PhotoShop tools, and make it more interesting.  Nick spent a day on how to use PhotoShop in this way.  

So this is not new.  It's just that some artists are now saying they've discovered this new technique.  It's interesting that this technique seems to be a big thing right now in some of the juried art shows, so look for some of the posterized and painted watercolors - I bet you see some.  

PUFFIN VINTAGE POSTCARD

Using a photo from Val Webb's online reference photos, I chose one I didn't have - a puffin.  On one of her postcards...I have one more left of the small postcards she sent and will probably put a crow on it!  We'll see.

All of the postcards are painted using gouache first and colored pencil on top of that layer.  A fun technique, but I still love my watercolor the best.

COMPUTER DIED BUT BUTTERFLIES SURVIVED

Well, my sister spent hours and hours and frustrating hours working on my laptop.  She did get my photos and documents off it onto a clean external hard drive, but I think it's dead.  Last resort is to call McAfee and ask them to remote look at it and help me - but I think it's a goner :(  Oh, well.  It was purchased in May 2010 so I guess it was time to start looking for a new one.  

And I want to thank my sister for all her technical help and the hours she put in, and apologize for the stress of it all.  I don't know how she can do this kind of stuff for a living!  

I'll use Sweetie's desktop (sporadically) with posts until I get something new.  But that means learning his photo program to resize and crop photos (which I have to learn slowly and it's a tedious process.  It works, it just takes 5 extra steps so...).  Learning curves....grrrrrr!

But here is a photo I took of my new Prismacolor pencils and the 2 butterfly postcards I made, using the Val Webb info she shared online before I crashed.  I won't be going back to her videos (just in case) to watch the bird ones so...I can take what I learned in the 3 buttefly videos I saw and try them out with the birds - or maybe even little cute ladybugs or something?


I won't be getting a new computer until I do some research so bear with me for another week (hopefully, not more than that).

While I've been gone, I've had another birthday (those things just keep cropping up!), my computer got deadly gremlins, my mother got pneumonia, and it's been a strange few days of warm & sunny and then cold & snowy and back down to 0F weather - and it seems like weeks since I've posted anything or given the blogs more than a glance (sorry).