Thursday 31 May 2012

May Challenge

This month's challenge was set by my friend Peter Ward and was a real little tester. The photograph is produced first and my final effort after it. The major difficulties were in tackling the very wide contrast range and making decisions about colour. After trying a variety of colour approaches I plumped for a fairly straightforward rendition wishing I had the courage to attempt a more impressionistic piece. Maybe I'll have another go now that I've posted this.


Owl - Photograph


Owl - Watercolour on Not paper 12" x 9"

10 comments:

Peter Ward said...

I've read your comment on mine Mick but having looked at yours I do like it. Possibly more variation in the colours but it does work.

Linda Roth said...

This is progressing nicely Mick. I admire your patience. What is Not paper? --How can it be paper if it's Not? I couldn't resist that, sorry. Please drop by and fill me in.

Unknown said...

Peter - I'll have to try to be a little more adventurous next time.

Unknown said...

Linda - Thanks. Not often confuses friends from other countries who call it Cold Pressed. Essentially all it means is 'NOT Hot Pressed' and that is the way we have called it here in Britain since time immemorial.

Nora MacPhail said...

Love those owl eyes!

Ray Maclachlan Art said...

Very good attempt Mick. The owl looks inside the tree hole. To give the owl head a round shape it might help to use some soft edges.

Unknown said...

Nora - Thanks. You're right it's the eyes that have it. Apologies for the poor pun.

Unknown said...

Ray - Thanks for the suggestion, I think that might produce a sense of 'roundness' and thereby create some depth.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Mick,
Thanks for the lesson about Not paper....I was going to ask what the heck that was too. I like the work on this one. Very cool. We have owls here at night flying around hunting. I have never seen one in the day. That would make it real hard to paint one, haha. Nice work my friend!

Unknown said...

Ron - Thanks a lot. I understand that the owl depicted is in fact one that is indigenous to the States, from Texas I believe.