Rooster Gets Feathers

Rooster prior to adding his feathers.

Rooster with feathers. Very fun to do using my new 

funky pallet knife purchased at Utrecht in Detroit.

A selection of pallet knives. Aren't they beautiful? 

So much fun to paint with.

Margaret's Hair

Mustard Yellow or Yellow Oxide? 

Going with the top one.

Are you familiar with painter Robert Genn?

He talks about preparation in his post 

called "Rebellious Student". I urge you

 to read the post.

Never Cut a Tree Down in the Wintertime

"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come."

I really like this quote by Robert H. Shuller the American Televangelist... you'll know him when you see him.

Anywhooo, after a chat with my very creative husband, I've made an important decision. I've decided to continue painting, but I will not be submitting this canvas to Nancy John's 40" x 40" Gallery show. I feel as if I'm starting to make creative decisions based on the submission deadline and I don't like how that feels. I am thinking too much about product and it's spoiling the play and discovery of process. 

So I hope you will follow along and see where this painting takes me. Some very unusual ideas are coming to mind and I am JUST GOING TO GO with them and see where they take me!

Trees painted in my sketchbook. 

Strips of paper I used to determine location and colours 

would be assigned to each tree.

I tried a variety of things to outline the trees 

including black oil pastel, pearl black chalk pastel and 

black india ink. Not sure which one I've decided on.

Trees going onto the canvas.

Under Paintings

Started the underpainting for the rooster 

and all of his wobbly bits.

Margaret's face under painted with white gesso. 

This makes a more smooth area in which 

to apply skin tone and shading.

They look like floating heads... hopefully 

they will soon have bodies. 

Submission deadline is looming!

Trees on the Flatlands

There aren't many trees on the flat lands. The ones on Margaret's land are in a small cluster in the east corner of the property. 

I'm doing a quick study to see how the colours I've chosen work in the composition. I transferred the images into my sketch book in order to do some paint tests. Can't wait to see how it turns out. 

Transferring the trees onto the Cobalt Teal 

background in my sketchbook. 

The colour of trees on the flatlands...Light Green Permanent, 

Cobalt Teal, Green Oxide and Turquoise

Good Day in the Studio

Good day in the studio. Painted another layer of land and sky. Also transferred all of the imagery onto the canvas. Tried on Margaret's clothing, did a few more colour studies and began to paint the rooster. All is going very well. 

The submission deadline for the painting is this coming weekend and I'm feeling very positive. Still considering names for the painting. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

 

Time to transfer all of the images onto the canvas. 

First the trees...

Using the graphite method, the trees come 

up on the canvas perfectly in position.

Margaret awaits her turn to be transferred 

onto the canvas. She's hanging out by the bookshelf.

Margaret is finally transferred and stands 

on her land with her rooster.

Time for a break, lunch!  

Tomatoes, beef and mushrooms topped with 

cottage cheese. Salad with black olives, blue 

cheese and Renee's Greek dressing. YUM.

Okay, I am back to work... more photos tomorrow. 

Thanks for popping by.

Dress Maker

Margaret's dress all cut out and ready for her to wear.