Red Squirrel Painting Title

After much thought on a title for this painting, I came up with a few ideas. If you could all take part in my poll to the right, I would be very appreciative. Also, feel free to suggest a title by adding a comment to this post.

Thanks all!!!

Attempt at color correcting!

Still not quite how I like it but much better than the previous posted image. I am having a hard time pulling out some orange as when I do, the image becomes too yellow. Thanks again for looking!

Wildlife painting of Squirrels complete!

All I can say is YAY! I'm done! Still need to color correct the image but I couldn't wait to show it off.

The final stretch...

I can't believe that I am almost there! Usually, I tend to want to work on the main subjects of a painting first and then work on the background/foreground. Many times, I get bored after I completed the animals and want to quit (like what happened with my cow moose pastel) and work on something else. I'm glad I approached this piece as I did, working rather methodically by filling the "canvas" area. Of the whole painting, it is the dried up dead leaves on the ground that is taking me the longest to complete.

Thanks to all who patiently read and comment on my many updates of the squirrel portrait. I feel the end is finally near...

More snow and a bit of moss

After a while, I felt this painting needed some "lift-me-up" color since there's so much rust, orange and brown. The blue/greys of the collecting buckets and the light snow still did not seem to do it so I decided to add a bit of greenery to the painting in the form of moss on the rotting stump. Subsequently, I found that all that green was too much in one place and so I added a bit of moss to the large maple tree trunk in the foreground to balance the color elements better.

In this step I also decided to lighten the stump as the dark contrast of the shadows was pulling they eye towards it to strongly. Then I added a small clump of melting snow near the base of the stump, again to better balance the major elements of the scene and make it more visually pleasing. At least, that is what I am attempting to achieve...

Inching my way closer...

More leaves please! I figure I mind as well get it over with and continue on methodically inching my way accross the painting. I'm thinking about adding more snow just about now...

Pastel Painting of squirrels update

Click to enlarge:

I am sure finding it difficult to stay put and work in this piece for more than a half hour at a time. Unfortunately, this always seems to happen when I work on larger pieces.

It's better than nothing but I managed to fill a few more square inches of the painting today. I was getting tired of working on the dried maple leaves and bark so I decided to lift my spirits a little and start working on the squirrel in the snow.

Labradoodle dog portrait commission

I loved creating this graphite/charcoal pet portrait of Coco, the black Labrador-standard poodle cross. I almost entirely used 8B graphite (almost charcoal in consistency and darkness) for this artwork.
The messy semi-curly fur and the highlights of the black fur were the most interesting and fun parts to do...until I decided it was best to color her tongue pink and add some subtle brown highlights to her muzzle and color her eyes brown. I just could not get myself to draw the tongue and eyes in shades of grey and so I convinced the client she would look more lively with the added coloring.
So now, I guess this drawing would be best described as a "colored pencil enhanced graphite dog portrait". Size 10"x10".

Labradoodle drawing in graphite/charcoal pencil

Mock photo

My latest commission! It seems the squirrel painting is on the back burner once again...

Progress of Squirrel Painting...

Today I was able to complete the remainder of the bark on the larger maple tree. I also started to work on the carpet of fallen leaves which is proving a bit of a challenge due to their small size relative to my pastel chalks. More sharpening is in order to get those fine lines (I don't particularily like the result of pastel pencils on velour as they are too hard and not much color is transfered to the paper). More to come soon, I hope.

P.S. you can click on the image for a larger view.

Painting update of red squirrels

FINALLY! I was able to sit for a bit and start working on this painting again. It feels so good and I can't wait to frame this piece as I already have the mats and frame chosen. I felt like working with blues today so I completed the last of the maple collection buckets. Next I will attempt the tiny little feet of the red squirrel on the bucket before I continue on to the maple bark on the right foreground.

Back from Florida!!

I guess some of you must have been wondering how come I haven't posted in a while. I was busy packing and getting ready for our 2 and a half week treck to Florida. We drove over 2700 kms and spent 6 days driving (3 days each way) but it was well worth the trip.

We stayed at Fort Wilderness Campground at Disney's and of course visited many of the theme parks. Then we headed for the ocean at St. Peterersburg where we unwound from the hectic pace of Disney.

I have taken over 1600 photographs, the vast majority of them are of animals, plants and birds that I have seen during our trip. Gathering wildlife reference material for future paintings was quite successful and I am very satisfied with my new telephoto zoom lense.

I should be back shortly on the easel...I'm taking advantage of the sunny weather to do yardwork but the next few days call for rain. I love rainy days because I have to stay inside and that makes me want to paint or draw even more!

Red Squirrels painting in pastel-update

Click image for larger view.

Hard to imagine that this painting is about 40% complete. I rarely attempt paintings of this size (17' x22") or one with such a complex setting such as this maple bush scene. I guess that is one reason why it is taking me so long. There are already many layers of pastel layed down and lots of mixing going on. I'm happy with it so far.

Painting the squirrel today

I just had to start painting this little fella today. I was getting tired of background work so needed a little pick me upper. I'll most likely continue to color block the squirrel and then start the large maple tree in the foreground (right side).

Squirrel and Maple painting update

Humm, the background is seemingly taking forever to paint...it doesn't help that I've been busy again the past few days. Oh well, a little bit here, a little bit there and eventually it will be done. I just hope I don't give up and abandon this one too.

Painting of Red Squirrels-update

Still working on the same area in the background...a bit more done today. I've been busy so trying to devote more time to painting has been futile lately. Hope to get back on this full steam within the next few days.

Red Squirrels in Maple bush-update on painting

Due to numerous request by fellow artist, I have included a step by step process of how I work pastels on velour paper. This method I have devised (although I am certain others have discovered it way before I have!) is very useful when one cannot trace or transfer outlines on the work surface. It is quicker and less messy than using the grid or projection method and is perfect for retaining proportions.

The first step in transfering the image to the velour board is to print out the mock image in outline format (Photoshop) in b/w. In this case, due to the larger size, I had to print the image in four sections and tape them together.

The second step involves cutting out contrasting shapes and outlines that define each subject or area to be drawn. As you progressively cut out each area, you trace the outline using a graphite pencil or dark pastel pencil.

Below, the outline is clearly visible and I even started drawing a small area of the painting.

This piece I consider moderately busy (more than I am used to) due to the many trees and branches intertwining everywhere and to make it worse, tons of dead leaves on the ground. I plan on working this piece in many smaller sections and continue on methodically in this fashion until all sections are finished and the masterpiece is revealed. And so that is the plan...

Red Squirrel painting composition-mock photograph

The latest mock image of what I am attempting next... again using soft pastels but this time on Hahnemule velour board instead of suede mat board.

I'm not sure how the busy scene will turn out...the dead leaves on the ground have already got my head spinning. I will most likely break down the painting in section using grids so that I don't loose myself in the repetitive detail of the leaves and the crevases of the bark. I will be adding a sap bucket to the maple tree to the left of the scene and remove the patch of snow under the squirrel that is on the sap bucket.

This mock scene is composed of about 4 different reference photographs; the squirrel photos were actually taken in my back yard. The idea came about when my family and I visited a local Maple Bush farm last Easter Monday. After thinking about the scene, I originaly was going to add a few chickadees but later decided that the red squirrels would be better because their larger size would make them more visible in this large scene.

Family Outing-Trumpeter Swan painting

After much time spent scanning this painting (in many many sections!), I am finally able to post an image of the final piece. So here is the trumpeter family leisurely swiming by the bank, all the while keeping a safe distance from the humanly observer on shore.
A sincere thank you for all those who commented on the updates for this painting.

Trumpeter Swan Portrait update

I worked on the foreground and completed the bank at the bottom of the painting. I've enhanced the overall portrait by going over with more pastel and completed the remaining areas in the middle of the painting. The next step, I will complete the water above the swans.