TRY, TRY AGAINtoughttough

No it isn't the same painting as the last post or rather it is but with adjustments to the head, chest, beak, feet, background etc.

In experimenting to attempt painting birds, I have come to realize that when there isn't a significant and obvious muscle form visible beneath the surface the task is complexed.

THE BLOG HABIT

I'm beginning to realize that the tell tale signs of being disorganized and too spread out in one's studio work and that is the absence of updates to the blog.

Finally, there is rhythm to canvas projects going on in the studio which means there is also rhythm going on outside the studio. Perhaps it's a spring thing. Regardless, I'm happy lining up canvas projects for the wildlife website.

Today I have attempted a chickadee because it continually amuses me with it's sparky gestures and handsome sharp markings.

Like most images, it will sit on an extra easel as I pass by it until I resolve things that pester me like proportion or composition issues.

WINTER SALES

There is something artistically healthy about having a winter sale every few years. For one thing you can take on stacks of trials and errors on different projects and discover some gem and other worthwhile images . Another benefit is that you can sell gallery work that is too dated for continued inventory in your gallery and sell it as affordable art. thirdly, I get to do things I don't take time to do when working on my wildlife website or at the easel with figurative paintings. This bear is simply a line drawing from leafing through references until I could internalize the behaviors and shapes of the wonderful black bear. Finally , I can use this sale project as a way to establish an "every few days" habit of doing this blog>:)

ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTRY

A trip to South Carolina near Charleston amazed me with it's wildlife and wetlands. Such an abundance of species in so many categories. We were fortunate to experience the dolphins strandfeeding , seeing oyster beds as part of miles and miles of river landscape. And Live Oak trees and moss throwing out there long huge arms as if welcoming anyone passing.

Entering the studio after returning from this vacation will take several days to ground myself as a result of such a wonderful and dramatic distraction .

I usually resolve that with putting large sheets of white craft paper on the easel and drawing out whatever comes to mind.

Another helpful technique is having Twyla Tharps' book ; "The Creavie Habit" as a reminder of how to remain on task.

TOO GOOD TO DRAW

This blog is too important to draw or talk about drawing and painting. We have officially achieved EGG! One of our 6 hens has dropped this jewel to announce a tasty and nutritious winter ahead. Nature rules! Living things are such a mysteriously magnificent piece of work . And reverence prevails.

PROPORTIONS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A PAINTING

A technique that really works for me after a studio day is to snap a photo of what I am leaving on the easel so I can worry about it later or even sometimes give it an approving nod.

Today isn't a "nod" day. I fear the head is out of proportion to the body. My plan is to sit with a glass of wine in the backyard this evening and wait for the late day feeding to check the goldfinch proportions.

CONSTRUCTIVE TIME OUT

There are all sorts of studio time outs one could take from the intensity of painting at the easel. My preference is to go with the simplicity of paper and pencil and find the lines on different subjects. Of course there is always that option of a magazine or nap on the old couch .

The advantage of these soft drawing times is that you can accumulate a number of images fitting for a studio sale .