Project Sparrow

Thought I would do a bit of a step by step for my next project. This painting is going to be a nature theme, based on a photo I took in my backyard. I'll start with the process I used to create the finished design. Like most reference pictures I use, they're only the general idea for the painting. I like to take them into Photoshop and build the final design. This usually involves putting two or more picture together to come up with the final image. I post more as the painting progresses. Feel free to leave a comment.

Step 1: Here is the original photo that I'll start with.

Step 2: I decide on how to crop it.

Step 3: I thought I would add some color and detail to the right side.

 Step 4: It still needed something on the right side for balance, so I added the buds and leaves. This is my finished composition, the overall size of the painting will be on a panel measuring 10" x 12", and  painted with Acrylics. Let the painting begin.

 Day 1: Spent about 2 hrs. yesterday blocking it in. Just heading out to work on it now. Should be able to finish today.

 Day 2: Painted for about 3 hrs. today. I'm thinking a couple of adjustments and I'll call it done. I'm always worried about spending to much time on a painting and running the risk of over working it.

The finished painting. I found this to be a very enjoyable project, I think I'll do a couple more.

Making progress on my latest project.

Spent some time today on my recent project of the abandoned truck. I felt inspired after participated in a three day workshop with Mike Svob. It was a real eye opener into using color to the max. He was a wonderful instructor, sharing a wealth of information and his technique for producing rich and appealing paintings. I'll try to post some pictures from the workshop over the next few days.You can check out some of his work under the recommended links section. Here's a couple progress pictures, and the finished painting.

Some small paintings

Here's a couple of small canvases that I painted. One in oil, the other two in acrylics. I find by working small, I can finish the same day I start. That's probably why I'll spend more time doing Plein Air this year. The large paintings seem to take longer to complete, not because of their size, but because it takes more to get motivated and work on them.Comments welcomed.

                                                     10" x 12" Oil on canvas board.

                                                      10" x 12" Acrylic on canvas board.

                                                      11" x 14" Acrylic on canvas board.

A little Pen and Ink work

 Just thought I would do a quick post about Pen and Ink drawings. I find them to be quite relaxing to do, just grab some pens and a sketch book, and your off to the races, no set-up or mixing paints. They usually take a couple of hours to complete. The nice thing is, they're great for working out the problems or details for a painting. Here's a couple of pictures of some recent pieces.