Do you recognize this chickadee? He's almost in the same pose as the chickadee in the previous post. I wanted to paint him in a different style, so I first created a loose watercolor of the bird (without much of a sketch), added in berries, and created a dark background. I then went over the painting with a chalky white gouache glaze (to give the feel of the cold day), and heightened the bird, berries and his perch with a little gouache detail. I'm still experimenting with gouache and learning how to use it...
Painting 216. Chickadee with bright red berries
(watercolor glazed and heightened with gouache)
The opaque white was nice because it allowed me to fix the misshapen branch in the original watercolor. The chickadee in the original watercolor (below) is much more spontaneous than the bird above, which has been softened, highlighted and detailed with gouache. I'm not sure which I like better. It's all practice...
The watercolor underpainting of the chickadee.
...this is another painting for Laure Ferlita's 100 Paintings Challenge.
If you're an artist looking for a challenge, join up! This is my third year of the challenge. I'm working on 500 paintings in 5 years.
Both are lovely! I can't decide which I like better either, but I do like the punch of the bright red berries in the second. I think I like the softer background in the first better, but I like like both versions of the chickadee equally.
ReplyDeleteThey're both gorgeous, Kelly!! I really like the soft blue/gray backgrounds!
ReplyDeletelovely work Kelly... I just love birds! I always have my zoom lens & bird identification book ready to go, just in case!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent kelly. You have really made a difference to it. The first was fine in its own right, but what you did to the top one has really created something special.
ReplyDeletewow. that 2nd one pulls my heart strings! so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteoh, and THANK YOU for removing word verification!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see... many thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteChickadees are one of my favourites and you've captured them well. I'd be hard pressed to choose which I like best. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly..You are so darn good ..lol..I just think they both are 'fab'....!
ReplyDeleteI think the top one looks like a real photo of him..man that is good!
The second not so much, but I can see the difference each technique makes..then again whom am I to judge ; ] lol!!
Grace
They are both beautiful You are so clever and so talented. I love it when you post about your art work. Thanks for sharing. ~karen
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work. Congratulations on 500 paintings in 5 years.
ReplyDeleteThere are both beautiful Kelly... That's very difficult to say which one is better!
ReplyDeleteThe fine tuning is noticeable in the second one, Kelly. I liked especially the soft feathering on the chickadee's head.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I tried the bird phishing recently. It worked! Thanks for the tip.
I like them both - it would be hard to pick a favorite. I agree with Elaine about the berries, but choosing between the two little "chicks" - not so easy. Great work, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are just beautiful. You are very talented. I love the chickadees. I hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly
ReplyDeleteBoy is this a nice painting you made a common ( but still lovely of course ) bird look so delicate and posed. I am really reminded of the quietly beautiful paintings on oriental screens and scrolls.
Thanks as always for sharing.
Guy
Wonderful images, both. I prefer the first, pure watercolor one. Great!
ReplyDeleteWow! You really had your way on the brushes. That is simply lovely artwork Kelly. I really love it. The birds are lovely too.
ReplyDeleteBird Aviary
...thank you everyone! This little chickadee is so sweet. I'm glad I added in the berries. I have no idea what type of berries they are! I just made them up, so they are a species unique to KellyLand...
ReplyDeleteI continue to learn how to use gouache. I can see it would be a valuable medium in painting nests. Being able to go over darker spots with light wispy strokes could help reproduce the nesting materials. I still like the freedom of a watercolor, though, and the water feel that can be achieved with it...
beautiful art. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteFabulous job, lovely!
ReplyDeletevery cool info and pictures
ReplyDelete-KAT-
wonderful to see them both. i see we both like doing a different take on a similar sketch.... it is an interesting experience. I like them both for different reasons....
ReplyDeletei also am attempting to learn about gouache, some people rave about it.
Nice work! The berries stand out more in the top, so I think I'll choose that one!
ReplyDelete