So I dug out something that I started quite some time ago and didn't like the way it was progressing, so thought I'm going to finish it. Yes, I know you all have at least one of these hanging around your art space. So time to dust it off and learn from it even if it doesn't turn out to be the "masterpiece".
This is in acrylic and am doing this on watercolor canvas. Size of this piece is 16"x20" which is a good size for me. Was going to go for the dramatic green-black background but decided to mottle it somewhat to give it more life and sort of make a leaf-like feeling as they do nest in tree tops. Not sure if you are really seeing it in the second shot, but maybe with more outside light it will appear as it does in real life - not obnoxious but subtle. Got started with the body modeling using the darker basecoat grays, with blue, green and purples laid in. Also made sure that the background darks reflected those mixtures as well so that when the light feathers reflect those colors it makes sense. As you know this bird is white, but much of it is in shadow so where the light is hitting it will really pop. I am thinking of making the shadows less dark than the reference, but need to have the base tones in to make the lighter feather work show against the white of the canvas. Hey it's my Egret, right?
Hope to get back to it more this afternoon but now time to make some breakfast. What is it, "feed and cold and starve a fever"
Thanks for stopping by after this long break and hoping you have a great painting week.
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