The initial marks made on the paper to decide the relative size and position of the largest identifiable shapes in any composition.
The initial marks made on the paper to decide the relative size and position of the largest identifiable shapes in any composition.
I start every painting with a trip to the location I’m going to paint – to get extra photos if needed, but more so to get a feel for what I want to express through the work.
Blocking in the sky! I normally do at least three or four coats of the sky before I am satisfied!
I start by selecting small specimens of native plants, usually from a friend’s bush block or my garden, or pick up leaves, fruits and twigs from walk trails near my home.
Before the painting can be started I feel that you must do research on the animal and how it moves. I feel the best way to do this is to see them in the wild or in an aquarium setting where you can watch them and take your own photographs.
Drawings are complete, cut out, and pasted onto paper. Using a photocopier that enlarges/reduces your drawing will save you a huge amount of time re-drawing!
I decided not to include as many blossoms as in my photo. Instead of a dark blue sky I opted for a light tint, merging by wet wash with a pale green. This was done after first drawing in the main features with care.
Draw in the main structure and shapes with no detail, just the main shapes with a mix of Ultramarine Blue, Rose Madder and small touch of odorless turps.
I loaded the photograph onto my computer and gridded up my canvas (it had been sitting around at home for a long time, waiting for a subject that would suit its size).
I explore my options with some sketches. This helps me work out my composition and the abstract pattern or design. I felt the head was turned slightly too far to the dog’s right and the tip of the nose touching her back was distracting