Well this month my friend Peter, (watercolourfanatic.blogspot.com), set a stinker or so it turned out to be for me. Being unable to paint much in the last couple of weeks I found myself reluctant to start on this piece. It all goes to show that there is so much of this activity taking place in the head rather than in hands. Everything about it became more difficult than I'm used to, the drawing had to be redone a few times, choosing an appropriate technique was a pain. I guess by now you will have discerned a little less commitment than usual. However, that's what this exercise is all about, getting into an uncomfortable area and giving it a go thereby learning a little along the way.
Owl - Photograph
My apologies for not being able to identify the species of owl, the reference books are not at hand.
I decided to make a significant crop of the original image and treat it more like a head and shoulders portrait in an attempt to avoid tightening up and trying to get too photorealistic. I've ended up with a flawed image but one from which I've drawn a few lessons about adequate preparation and decision making.
Owl - Watercolour on Not paper 12" x 9"
9 comments:
Wow, awesome owl eyes! Like big marbles.
Happy Painting.
Hi Mick,
My hat is off to you. Painting an owl has got to be hardwork! When I did pen & ink work I read in one art book where it said every pen & ink artist must draw a zebra to learn to handle all of those stripes.
To me, a birds feathers are a lot like that...rows of almost patterned feathers has to drive a painter crazy. You've done a great job of it here Mick.
Nice try Mick,I do like the eyes. But more irises please.
I think your disenchantment with the subject shines through Mick (grin)
Nora - Thanks. It's the eyes that have it. I just wish I'd done the whole thing justice.
Ron - Thanks for the generous comment. I'm not sure it's deserved but you are absolutely right about the difficulties in this sort of subject matter.
Ron - Thanks for the generous comment. I'm not sure it's deserved but you are absolutely right about the difficulties in this sort of subject matter.
Ray - Cheers, looking forward to getting back to the irises.
Peter- I didn't do a lot of grinning with this one.
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