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Another small composition working on light filtering through petals. I definitely did not realize how many colors were involved with blooms until I started to add shadow. Some of it ended up a little thicker than I would have liked.

This is based off a photo I took at Denver Botanical Gardens, the butterfly was an add in (else I would be photographer, not a painter!) But I did use a North American spp. that could have been there in late summer. Below is the initial outline sketch for the piece.

In all honesty I was planing on using today to do a slightly larger piece. However there is something appealing about 6 x 8 inches when you are tired from work. The butterfly above is one of my favorite varieties called a Paper Kite butterfly. The shiba below was for a friend.

Tillandsia flower with butterfly from the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Really having trouble getting the pink of the flower with my paints, its close, but brighter in life.

I had done portraits of our other two dogs in oil pastel a number of years ago, but didn’t one of our weimaraner since he came to live with us. Made things right this morning. I love oils pastels for their vibrant colors, but they are messy! After the detail and delicate lines of watercolor I pretty much just felt like I was smearing color on the paper ^_^

 

As you may have noticed I enjoy doing things in series. If you look in the gallery you can see the cephalopods series, stand alone butterflies etc. I think this  takes off the pressure of an individual painting, because there is a next time. It also lets me see commonalities between certain species which helps with details.

Also was enjoying my new water cup (birthday present ^_^)

 

I have a new type of paper I have been trying “Master’s Touch Fine Art Studio” from hobby lobby. It is definitely less forgiving than Strathmore products if you add too much water. You have have to be really careful to let it dry before going back and adding more colors.   However I really do like the 6 x 8 inch size, and it is hard to argue with the price: 12 sheets, for $3.49.  Still not sure I will get more since I do a lot of layering when I paint.

This kitten was a  challenge because he was somewhat back lit in the photo I was working with. I also had to add in his tail from a different photo.  In retrospect, I wish I had done his body first, and head second, just because I struggled with the colors. Parts of the face ended up a little over done because of it.

I am really excited that got a new pad of paper, 6×8 inches.  The best thing about small pieces is they are so much less intimidating to get started on. I  know that I’m not looking at an all day project, just a few hours.  The overall commitment is less, and I fell like I can screw up 🙂

Have you ever planned time specifically to paint, but then found yourself not feeling up to it? I am a pretty big wimp about needing to be in the right frame of mind for painting. A mild head cold and I am out for the count. However in the spirit of just going for it, produced this little blotchy guy!  I am crediting the loose brush strokes on nyquil ^_^