ARTHUR BISHOP
Well-known member
Superb pic. Mike
You could give me lessons on how to paint water
You could give me lessons on how to paint water
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Mike's conservatory (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Woody
- Start date
solitaryVSong
Well-known member
I keep looking at this Mike and thinking there's something I'd like to change. There's much I like and yet something that holds me back a bit from enjoying it as much as I'd like. Finally today I think I see what it is.
I keep noticing that my eye keeps moving all over the painting, I think because of all the small brushstrokes, especially the ones for the reflections and highlights. I think I'd like to have just one area without them in the painting, so that my eye could sort of rest there. For me it would be the top part of painting, maybe removing the water highlights at top left? But as usual this may be strictly my taste and be completely contrary to your goals.
It is a nice strong painting. I just think this might add something to it and make it even stronger.
I keep noticing that my eye keeps moving all over the painting, I think because of all the small brushstrokes, especially the ones for the reflections and highlights. I think I'd like to have just one area without them in the painting, so that my eye could sort of rest there. For me it would be the top part of painting, maybe removing the water highlights at top left? But as usual this may be strictly my taste and be completely contrary to your goals.
It is a nice strong painting. I just think this might add something to it and make it even stronger.
Woody
Well-known member
Appreciate the honesty Ken. You're right, it's quite tough to stop moving around the pic but, to some extent, I don't mind that, bearing in mind the species. Redshanks move in a very 'birdlike' way when they're feeding like this. It's all pointy and sharp, staccato almost, so the little pointy brushstrokes maybe help to convey that. That is, I admit, post-rationalisation, but it seems valid somehow.
My original intent was simply to provide a setting for a bird portrait that showed the type of habitat that I encounter these birds in in the spring - flooded field edges where the grass still grows and sticks its shoots out through the surface of the standing water along with the larger leaves of dock (I think it's dock).
Moving on to a tawny now, just to make use of my time with the Kensington owls really, and as an excuse to paint another bit of tree!
Despite the major project of laying a new kitchen floor (thanks to 'the foreman' for that little delight!) I have managed to get out a for bit this morning. It's still cold and grey here mostly and this morning the wind took the temperature back to November again but there was plenty going on on the reserve. I spotted an immature peregrine sitting on a slight ridge around half a mile distant and just managed a quickie before he took off and powered up high and far. I kept the scope on him but even so, he was just a speck when I watched him attack a starling (?) that happened by at the wrong time. He missed.
A lovely male kestrel was hopping from post to post, probably after earthworms brought to the surface by the seemingly constant rain we've been having.
The prize for me though was an hour spent watching the male barn owl. At first he was sat on a little tussock with his back to me but after about half an hour of inactivity, (during which time my fingers damn near froze), he got down to some serious hunting. I didn't get out to the hides because I'd spent too long with the barn owl but that didn't matter, I mean when you've got a barnie to watch do you really need anything else?
Mike
My original intent was simply to provide a setting for a bird portrait that showed the type of habitat that I encounter these birds in in the spring - flooded field edges where the grass still grows and sticks its shoots out through the surface of the standing water along with the larger leaves of dock (I think it's dock).
Moving on to a tawny now, just to make use of my time with the Kensington owls really, and as an excuse to paint another bit of tree!
Despite the major project of laying a new kitchen floor (thanks to 'the foreman' for that little delight!) I have managed to get out a for bit this morning. It's still cold and grey here mostly and this morning the wind took the temperature back to November again but there was plenty going on on the reserve. I spotted an immature peregrine sitting on a slight ridge around half a mile distant and just managed a quickie before he took off and powered up high and far. I kept the scope on him but even so, he was just a speck when I watched him attack a starling (?) that happened by at the wrong time. He missed.
A lovely male kestrel was hopping from post to post, probably after earthworms brought to the surface by the seemingly constant rain we've been having.
The prize for me though was an hour spent watching the male barn owl. At first he was sat on a little tussock with his back to me but after about half an hour of inactivity, (during which time my fingers damn near froze), he got down to some serious hunting. I didn't get out to the hides because I'd spent too long with the barn owl but that didn't matter, I mean when you've got a barnie to watch do you really need anything else?
Mike
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RussB
Going for Gold
Hi Mike, (now I know there's an alternative to Woody!) I love these Barnie sketches. So much life and loads of volume in those shapes. I've not yet attempted birds in flight, well not with any real conviction and these are a joy to behold. Asking how birds in flight are drawn is, I suppose, like asking how Tiger Woods hits a five Iron or how Wayne Rooney controls, turns and shoots (when he's fit, that is)! Looks like a case for an A3 sketchpad and lots of practice this summer. I have a Bhg colony near me so watch this space!
Keep 'em coming.
Russ
Keep 'em coming.
Russ
birdboybowley
Well-known member.....apparently so ;)
Great Barnie studies Mike (as usual) - and the Redshank's top stuff with an interesting angle to the bird itself
ARTHUR BISHOP
Well-known member
These are cracking sketches Mike . I know you can't always have the lovely sun we have up here to keep you warm. You certainly got the floating quality of the flight spot on
solitaryVSong
Well-known member
The sketches as usual are a pleasure to view, especially the flight sketches. There's often a bit of tentativeness to the lines that I personally like because it rings so true, like the artist actively searching out the outline to get it down on paper, knowing that the bird, and outline, might change at any second.
I'm happy my comments were welcome. I did think along time before writing them because I didn't want to be the one person throwing rain on the parade. And it makes sense what you say. If Redshanks are anything like Yellowlegs then I know their staccato movement. And of course weeds in a field covered by a temporary pond would be just like that, poking up everywhere. So for me anyway I'm happy to understand that motivation for doing things the way that you did.
I'm happy my comments were welcome. I did think along time before writing them because I didn't want to be the one person throwing rain on the parade. And it makes sense what you say. If Redshanks are anything like Yellowlegs then I know their staccato movement. And of course weeds in a field covered by a temporary pond would be just like that, poking up everywhere. So for me anyway I'm happy to understand that motivation for doing things the way that you did.
solitaryVSong
Well-known member
Time well and enjoyably spent. It's amazing how such appointments can be a blessing in disguise. Both look like very promising thumbnails to me. I'm looking forward to seeing the painting progress.
Woody
Well-known member
I agree, it would be too tight any closer to the frame, I always paint some 'bleed' though Colleen, too many years in the graphic arts industry not to!
Number two is the one going ahead I think Nick so I'm glad you like it. I did wonder whether it was just too much of a straight portrait for your liking but I'm sort of hoping that the leaf buds will add that extra dimension. As the sun catches them they glow, vivid lime green and cad yellow, like little lamps.
Mike
Number two is the one going ahead I think Nick so I'm glad you like it. I did wonder whether it was just too much of a straight portrait for your liking but I'm sort of hoping that the leaf buds will add that extra dimension. As the sun catches them they glow, vivid lime green and cad yellow, like little lamps.
Mike
mattybohan
Well-known member
very nice!
