Painting 128. White-throated Sparrow in Winter
(Watercolor, 12x16 Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Paper)
I painted the background with a single wash alternating between Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna (Daniel Smith watercolors). Working quickly, I used a watery brush with a heavy pigment load, going back and doting in pure color here and there to get the rolling cloud movement. If I had not masked out the bird and branches, it would have been much harder to achieve this result because I would have had to slow down and cut around the bird and branches. (I had already started to paint the branches before I thought about a scan to show the masked-out bird! :-)
Last year at this time I was only working on painting 17, so I'm 11 paintings ahead--yeah! If I have any free time, I'm up in the art room painting, and of course, if I'm waiting in the car or at on of Matty's practices, I'm sketching or painting. All the extra sketching time is really helping. I'm so glad I'm not afraid to paint and sketch in public any more.
18 comments:
Kelly I'm thinking of taking up sketching and/or drawing and want to start with simple landscapes. Would you begin with sketch pencils or use color pencils. Any advice at all in any way would be appreciated, carollmattingly@aol.com. And by the way I love the finished product on this post. Carol
I would start with a soft-leaded pencil (at least a 2B). Sketching with a pencil really helps you see an image. Then...move on to colored pencils...or watercolors or acrylics....there's no end to what you can do. I can't wait until you start. You'll love it! I'll send you an email too...
Hi Kelly, Great painting of the fluffy white-throated sparrow.... He is really puffed up!!!!!
I love the way you show us what you are doing step-by-step....
Thanks....
Hugs,
Betsy
Excellent job on the perspective! We really get the sense that he is looking down at us!
Love it! Such a typical pose, but instantly recognizable! Lots of character in that little guy!
Very nice! I like seeing the effect you were going for and how you accomplished it.
Love the way he is peering down at you. Great painting.
It is so nice to follow how other artist create their paintings. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely sketch and finished product.
This is nice. Really nice. And I am glad you showed how you did the background.
This is very nice. Your sure know how to get the effect you're seeking!
Super! You really are inspiring!!
I love seeing the different stages, the sketch and the painting. I love hearing what you used for tools too.
Your painting is lovely.
Hi Kelly. I don't know if you like to get awards for your blog or not but I have given you which you can see here: http://freebirddrawing.blogspot.com/2011/03/stylish-blogger-award.html
It's totally up to you whether you participate. I was mostly sharing your blog so others who might see my post can come see your blog. I don't always play along with the awards but it's been a long time so this time I did.
Love the painting, Kelly. It's cold and yet you know spring is coming. I know what you mean saying you are no longer afraid to work in public. It took me a while to forget other people's opinion when walking around in funny clothes, hat drawn down to shade my eyes, and showing up in strange places with my camera and big lens. As long as nobody calls the police!
Wow- these are amazing. You are truly talented. White-throated sparrows are a great subject. They have one of my favorite calls.
Betsy...thank you!
Laure...I worked on that....it was fun...thank you!!
Nicole...thank you...that day when he was flitting around in the cold, all puffed up, I knew he would have to be turned into a painting...
thanks, Elaine! Sometimes it's more luck than anything!!
Janice...thank you! :-)
Angela...thank you...I like to show the progress when it's a more involved painting...
Steve....thank you!!!
Timaree...thank you! ...and thank you for the award!! I just dropped by your blog...what a surprise!! :-)
Mona...thanks...(luck?) :-)
Kerri...thank you!!
...thanks, Tammie!!
Hilke...thanks! Hahaha...yeah...I have the hat thing too....big floppy hat, binocs, camera.....oh boy!
Birding Girl...thank you! The White-throated Sparrows were really fun to paint. That splash of yellow really makes it different...
Fascinating description of your technique - and wonderful results. My wife does watercolors and she'll be interested in your technique. Thanks for sharing.
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