Let Ambient Light put a Sparkle into Your Work - Paint & Drawing Tips

Who doesn't love the Soft Glow of a campfire in the Evening Light?

Everything feels warm and cozy.  Everything tinted gold.  

AFTERNOON TEA - watercolour, 16 x 20  - Note the rosy glow on the hummingbird

When we were in Maui, I always found it amazing how many people gravitated to the beaches when the sun was starting to set. But I guess we all felt the same thing.  As the rosy blush of the sunset washed over the world, everything felt just right. 

This is Ambient Light at its best.  . . .

The rosy red colours of sunset are light rays bouncing around.  The colour tinting everything it touches.  It is easy to see.    

However, there are more subtle forms of Ambient Light . . .

Even as the sun gives light,  each object below, does as well.  As artists we are not really concerned with the physics involved with bouncing light rays but rather how it affects everything we paint. 

(NB. There is a video version of this post with more information on YouTube: Let Ambient Light put a Sparkle into Your Work )

The Subtle touches of  Ambient Light  . . . .

 Looking at this green apple note the shadow side of the apple. This is the view we all see and remember. 

Green apple with White Background.

Now watch what happens as I change the background colour to blue.  Can you see the difference in the colour of the apple.  Especially in the shadow area.  

Green Apple with Blue Background

Another colour change.  This time an orange background. 

Apple with an Orange Background

As the colours change beside the apple you can see the colour of the apple changes as well.  It still is green but there is colour reflected by the background.  It is not a direct light nor a bright one.  It is the ambient reflected light from the neighbouring object.  Neat eh?!  

Arbutus Tree on the Bluff - Ignoring Ambient Light when painting

Ambient Light in Action

I have here a little landscape painting, the kind of thing I love to paint when Outdoor Sketching.  An arbutus tree standing proudly on the rock bluff, scraggy shrubs fighting to survive on the rocky cliff all beneath a summer sky.  

I started the painting keeping each subject as separate as possible.  Greens for the shrubs.  Grays for the rocks. Reds and browns for the arbutus tree.  And blues for the sky.  A pretty scene for sure. 

But what happens if . . . ..

I add the reflections of Ambient Light for each of the elements in the scene.  That means the reflective light of the green shrubs onto the rocks, the tree, the sky.  The reflective light of the reds of the tree onto the shrubs, rocks and sky.  The blues of the sky reflected on  . . . .  Letting each element have its own mini reflective light play out in my picture.    

Close Up showing the large rock and ground before and after the colours of the ambient light are added

Above your can see the ground now carries some reds, browns and golds from the tree and the blues of the sky.  I really like how they add a sparkle to the ground cover.  Even the rock takes on a new life with the greens, blues, reds and browns reflected into it.  

Before and After - Arbutus Tree on the Bluff 

Can you see the sparkle in the After Picture.  Even the sky has more life with the bits of red, yellow and green added to it.  Including the Ambient Reflective Light in your work adds that sparkle but also integrates your pieces and makes them come together.  

My Favourite example of Ambient Light in a Portrait . . .

An artist's whose work I really enjoy is Harley Brown.  He is a Canadian Artist that has won many awards and lots of recognition for his pastel portraits of Indigenous People.  I love the way he uses his background colours to bring his portraits to life.  Not only alive but infused with colour.  Sometimes in a subtle way but other times very bold and bright.   

Have fun adding the Ambient Reflective Light to your paintings and see if put a Sparkle into your work.  

NB.  There is a video version of this post with more information on YouTube: Let Ambient Light put a Sparkle into Your Work 

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 1.5 hr sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Eek!! How to Plan a New Art Project (Series) - Painting and Drawing Tips

In with NEW and OUT with the OLD!

Seems like a very common sense idea and one that has been around for ever. 

But it hasn't. . . .

Beach Buddies: SEAGULL IN THE SUN; GRIZZLY ON THE RIVER; & BLACK-TAILED DEER ON THE BEACH - ink on wood, 4 x 4, $65 each

I googled it and was very surprised to see it didn't become part of our daily life until 1976, with the introduction of the television show, Logan's Run. Can't say I remember the TV show but I certainly subscribe to the phrase. It is very apt with my new project. 

As I mentioned a few posts ago I had picked up a wood cradle, 12 x 24.  I totally fell in love with the shape and wanted to work with it.  My plan was to do a watercolour on paper, mount it on the wood cradle and varnish it.  I was excited and ready to go.  

12 x 24 Wood Cradle

Life changes. . .

As you know I have been doing lots of pen work with my outdoor sketching.  I really am focused on my pen work lately and wanting to do more. At the same time I decided I wanted to do a picture focusing on the forest floor.  

Suddenly I could see a NEW way . . .

Why cover up that beautiful wood grain with paper when I could draw right on the wood.  Well I thought I could.  My next move was to go to Opus Art Supply and talk to them about it. Yes, I could.  They told me how to finish it and my NEW PATH was underway.  

Now, drawing with a pen on a surface that is 288 sq inches is a BIG job.  I decided I had better do smaller projects to see what I was getting into.  

Beach Buddies were born . . 

HERON RESTING - 2 x 3 inches, ink on wood block $50

I picked up some 2 x 3 wood cradles and there was an 8 pack of 4 x 4 wood cradles.  I know, how many practice pieces do you need to do.  Well, it turns out, LOTS.  I drew a heron on a small 2 x 3.  It was small and a little awkward to draw on.  I forgot to mention, the wood cradles are 1.5 inches thick.  So not much room for resting your hand anywhere.  

I loved it!!!!

HERON RESTING - Side View 

I decided to try the 4 x 4's - just a bit bigger.  My Grizzly Bear on the Run was finished soon after.  I loved him too. And I loved the slightly larger size.  

GRIZZLY BEAR ON THE RUN - Ink on Wood Cradle - 4 x 4 inches $65

Ok.  At this point I admit, my BIG plan was forgotten.  I got lost in my little blocks.  With each block I learned more and more about 'how' to draw on the wood.  I started with 1 pen and was soon using 5 different kinds.  Deciding how to shade and what patterns I could maintain over a large area was another.  How dark was dark.  (Yes, even with black permanent pens, darkest darks are elusive.) 

The finishing became the focus. . .

Sooner or later in all creative projects we have to do the boring stuff.  Either it is the 'prepping' or it is the 'finishing'.  These steps are important but are just not as much fun as the 'creating'. Putting the finishing coats on my blocks was definitely not as much fun as drawing them.   I tried the 4 step process to varnish them on a sample.  My ink marks started to move.   OMG!  What if that had happened on my big piece.  

Suddenly I was glad I had done all those little ones. Working out the kinks on a little 2 x 3 or 4 x 4 block wasn't too bad.  I sure would have been upset to see my ink lines moving on my large 12 x 24 inch piece.   

  

HERON RESTING; SWANS ON THE WATER; SEAL: COMING UP - 2 X 3, Ink on Wood $50 each

Life is good again. . .

I feel ready to tackle my Big Project.  Next post I will give you a peak at my progress.  Needless to say it is going to take a few minutes to draw my forest floor on a 12 x 24 inch wood panel.  I am really excited to get under way.  

Do you plan BIG projects?  Does their journey take twists and turns as you bounce along the road? 

How do you feel about it?  I look forward to hearing your stories.  

Wendy is on Youtube:

Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is Quickly Disappearing !!

Only a few Scheduled Sessions Left: 

    Saturday, Sept 4 & 11 - 10-12:30pm
(Private Sessions/Small Group sessions available upon request)

Classes: Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.   Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Time to Change it UP - Painting and Drawing Tips

As the World teeters from one Disastrous News Bite to another, it is Discombobulating.  There is a loss of HOPE. I'm feeling that way, you probably are too.  I nearly didn't post this week because of it.  But

I am Not. Ready. To give up. . . . 

We are all entering a life of self quarantine. I think, we are needing to learn new things more than ever.  So . . . .  here goes. . .

BALD EAGLE: SALMON ARE HERE WIP- Graphite 12 x 16 - Eagles feasting on the dead salmon is a common sight along the Fraser River in the fall when the Salmon Run starts.  Not all eagles want to share their food!!

As many of you know I love to golf.  I run a Tuesday night golf group and we golf every Tuesday night at the same course.  Have for many years.

Boring . . .  You might think. . . But no.

Golfing at the same course gives you a sense of calmness.  You know the course, you know the obstacles, you can focus on your shots.  When I play a hole well, I can compare my performance to previous scores.  I can measure my improvements.  Really golf is about playing yourself.  Comparing yourself to your performance, not others.

SHORT-EARED OWL: ON THE PROWL- Matted 20 x 16 Graphite $500.  Loving this new long narrow vertical format, turns out most of my work has been horizontal. 

Very much like your art work. . .

You draw/paint the same kinds of things.  Comfortable. Comforting.  Relaxing.  You can focus on improving your technique.  Knowing exactly where you are going.  And you do improve.  Slowly.

NOW you have time, so now it is time to Change It UP. . .

I golf other days but always on other courses.  The first time on a new course is always a major learning curve.  The hazards are different.  The greens a challenge.  The score is high.  But after a few rounds things change.  I start using different clubs.  Hitting different kinds of shots.  Approach the course in a new way.

Changing it UP can bring new changes to you. . .

When I return to my regular course I try these new things. My play changes and I definitely see a change in my score.

Taking those new techniques back to your 'usual work' will bring a difference to you as well. Your approach will be different. Your focus changed.  Growth will result.

ROBIN: ON HIS OWN - 5 x 7 Vanished Watercolour - $160 - This mix of Abstract with Realism inspire me to launch into a mini series.  Read more . . .

Does Changing It UP . . . mean getting a whole new box?

No.  Try just jumping in and out of the box. . . .

Change can be using a new colour.  Trying a new Perspective.  Zooming in or Zooming out.  Trying a different size.  Different shape.  New subject.  Mixing your Medium.  Mixing Abstract with your Realism or Realism with your Abstract.

HUMMING IN THE HOLLYHOCKS -  Matted 20 x 16 - tried hiding my bird inside the painting rather than making it the subject.  

You decide how big a Change Up to make. . .

My picture at the beginning of the post, Bald Eagles: The Salmon Are Here is a different view point for me - worms eye view.  It came about as I got my reference pictures laying on the sand behind a log. (I took many shots of this eagle and used different views to construct my picture.)

I find I like the idea of looking over the eagle's shoulder to see the other eagle feasting on the dead fish.  Several eagles gathering and fighting over their bounty is a common sight when the Salmon are running.

Have to get back to work, my Eagles aren't finished yet.

Further Reading:
The Trail: From Inspiration to Creation - focus on your goals and recognize Your Trail
Watercolour Surprises Many - looks at a new way to present your work
Catching the Light - Out Door Sketching - heading outdoors to sketch and using new medium (pen and ink with coloured pencils)

There is something you can do . . .

I am thrilled to be named a Finalist for the YWCA Women of Distinction for Arts, Culture and Design for my volunteer work.  Although there is no public voting for these awards there is one part of the event that is a People's Choice Award. 

It is the Connecting the Community Award.  (🡨link) 

It's purpose is to create awareness for the YWCA Community Programs.  This award is by People's Choice.  So follow the link and vote for me and my choice "Reducing Child Poverty".  Vote as many times as you like, results tallied in early May 2020.  Thanks for your support.
When Life settles down: 

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

Drawing/Painting lessons in graphite, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils Or any combination of these.
Flexible Schedule, at my Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

Be sure to like and share my posts to keep me coming into your box, 

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Getting the RIGHT reference for YOUR wildlife painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

Do you head out on the trail with a camera, hoping to catch a shot of a bird or animal? I don't mean packing your phone and maybe snap a shot.  I mean taking a real camera.

 I do.  .  .

BALD EAGLE: ALERT & READY - Graphite WIP, matted 16 x 20 $500 (When finished)

Have you ever stood at the counter of the bakery. Looking across the counters, going from one delectable treat to the next.  Your eyes shiny and in your mind your mouth is already savoring each and ever delectable morsel.  Its a wonderful feast.  Suddenly there is one special pastry that calls to you.  It. is. the. ONE! (For me, it would be something with whipped cream and dark chocolate, just saying. )

Walking along the Mud Flats in South Delta is like that. . . .

The day I went, the sun was slowly setting.  The sky was clear. The air was crisp and fresh.  An awesome winter day to walk the dike trail.  The view was breath taking.  Suddenly I saw my 'special pastry'.  A young bald eagle perched on a jagged piece of driftwood, punched into the ground.  I dropped Max's lead, hoisted my camera and started clicking.

This. was. special. . . .

I took tons of pictures.  The beauty of digital photography.  Close up. Far away. Looking in different directions.  It was fascinating to study him.  Seeing him in a zoom lens, lets you study him in a way you have never seen him before.  It is mesmerizing.  (I can really understand how photographers have that eternal thirst for a bigger and better zoom lens. Fortunately, I can't carry all that equipment, so I have not succumb to that thirst. )

Just a selection of some of the many shots I took - This guy was not bothered by me and was happy to carry on with his business.  

However, capturing lots of pictures of a young eagle is not the whole story. . .

Once you have the shots which one do you pick.  What do you look for in choosing your reference picture?  Here's what I was thinking:

1. My vision: This is a biggie.  What do you want to say about your subject?  Seems like a simple question but really it isn't.  I admire the eagles, I like to honor them in my work.  I search for realism. I want to give a sense of their life, their struggles and their strength.  I wanted a long, narrow pose that spoke of my thoughts.
My last post featured robins.  Here my vision was quite different, I wanted strong realism, different views, a sense of who they are and what they do.  'A day in their life'.  (See last post here. )

The pose of my young eagle that I used for my drawing.  

2.  Light and Shadows: I look for patterns of light and shadows.  The sun was low, casting light on his left shoulder, catching a bit of his chest and his foot.  Some of the poses were completely back lite and did not have this more dramatic lighting.

3.  A sense of Movement/Alertness: I like to find a sense of action or emotion in my wildlife.  This young eagle looks alert, focused on something.  Food? Danger? Curious?  Makes you wonder.  I also look at his body lines.  Do they have a sense of movement.  I felt he looked perched but yet ready to move.  This view has some great dynamic movement to it, causing your eye to move down one side and up the other. No straight up and down lines to make him flat.

4. Clarity: My plan was to do a very detailed drawing in graphite. I wanted a picture that had the detail I enjoy.  I loved the way his feet gripped the wood.  I liked the lines of his feathers, particularly the ruffled ones on his left side that are caught in the sunlight.

What do you consider when you look at your reference pictures?

Looking for further reading:
OMG! You have to Plan First! - a more in depth look at planning and using those photo references.
How Many Planes does your Painting Have - looking at the background/midground/foreground in planning.

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

Drawing/Painting lessons in graphite, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils Or any combination of these.
Flexible Schedule, at my Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

February is Marketing Month for Artists!!

Each February I offer an all day workshops “Let’s Get Your Art Out There!!”
2020 Date: February 23, 10-3pm

Having trouble getting started or knowing where and what to do?

This workshop gets your Marketing Plans fired up to new and more successful levels. Learn the basics of today’s Marketing World, learn how to develop markets both online with Social Media and off line in your community, learn how to develop a productive network, and set up a Marketing Plan that will work for you. Taking this workshop is a valuable step in moving your business forward. Workshop runs 10-3:00 pm with a lunch break.    Class limited to 8 people  3 Spots Left

Cost $90 + Tx       Pre-Registration Required, contact Wendy      Gift Certificates Available

Save the Date . . . . .

March 6-8, 2020 - The West Fine Arts Show.  Peter Ewart Middle School, 7755 202A St, Langley BC.  Yes, I have teamed up with this great show event: 20 Professional Artists, Awesome Art, a show you shouldn't miss.  

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Be sure to like and share my posts to keep me coming into your box, 

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

When is your Painting/Drawing Finished? - Painting & Drawing Tips

When is your picture Done?  Finished?
 What does DONE mean to you?
 How do you tell when your picture is finished?

VARIED THRUSH: DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS
 12 x 15 Varnished Watercolour on Board $400

For me,  the question is 'have I said what I want to say?"  I have goals for my work.  My first goal is to my subject, My Wildlife. I want my viewers to experience a special moment with my birds and animals.

I do a lot of hiking, boating and beach combing.  For me there is nothing more special then turning the corner on the trail and seeing a Varied Thrush perched on a branch, a heron fishing the tide line or a deer resting under a bush.  Somehow it is a piece of Magic to experience nature in the wild.  I want to present that moment to my viewers. Make them feel how special that is.   

But that is only part of my goal  . . .

VARIED THRUSH, DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS: WIP 1
(I tend to work already my picture so I can get a feel for how my plans are working

I have goals as well, about the type of work I am doing.  My favourite mediums of choice are graphite, ink and watercolour.  I work with them separately and together.  As many of my readers are aware, my pen work has been drawing me more and more.  Combining my ink with watercolour is something I really enjoy doing.  However, usually it is my watercolour that shines and my pen work takes a back seat.  

My pens are not happy about that . . .

VARIED THRUSH, DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS: WIP 2 
I decided I needed a few more branches in the background as I wanted to leave the back white

This has lead me into several directions.  My abstract work combined with my ink work is one direction that I have followed. See Juncos at the Feeder below.   (See more in this series here)

JUNCOS AT THE FEEDER - 8 x 10 Vanished watercolour on Wood Cradle - $200

Another way of mixing my pen work with watercolour, is my more realistic drawings in ink surrounded by watercolour. See Pacific Harbour Seal: Sunbathing below.   In this series, only the setting has been painted.  The birds and animals are untouched.  I liked this, as it really brought my inkwork into the more primary role. (See more in this series here.)

PACIFIC HARBOUR SEAL: SUNBATHING - Matted 8 x 10, Ink & Watercolour.  $130

In my picture Varied Thrush: Down from the Mountains, (at the top of the post) I feel I have taken things one step further. Both my ink and watercolour are given staring roles.  And, there is a bonus.  It feel like you get a peak at the creation process as well.  I love this kind of feel. Its like you can see and feel the back story to the piece.  

So yes, I feel Varied Thrush: Down from the Mountains is finished. How do you feel?  Finished or Not?  In the end it is personal, the Artist makes the call. 

NB: Learn more about Vanish Watercolour on Board here

Have fun with your art work and see you in 2 weeks.  I will be busy next week with my show.  See Below.   ↓↓↓↓

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

Drawing lessons in graphite, carbon, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils.
Based on your Schedule at my Studio, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

Christmas Comes early at Art by Wendy:Thurs Dec 5 to Sat. Dec 7, 10-4pm

Paints’n Bloom Workshops & Show & Sale

Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby.

Featuring Artists Wendy Mould, AFCA & Audrey Bakewell
 in Support of the Alzheimer’s Society of BC.

See you there!!

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Be sure to like and share my posts to keep me coming into your box, 

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

The Creation Process: Idea + Effort = Success NOT!! - Painting & Drawing Tips

As Artists we are all familiar with the Creative Journey, it is one we travel often. And with a great deal of enjoyment.

However, the Creative Journey is not always filled with joy . . .

Organized my colours, clean my water and I am READY TO PAINT!!!

You know what I mean. Every Creative Journey starts with a Big Idea.  It is tossed about in your mind until the urge to follow through can no longer be ignored.  Then you begin. . . 

Everyone's journey is different. Some fast. Some slow.  Some methodical. Some haphazard.  There is no right or wrong.  We each have our own method.  

As you know I started my picture of the Ring-Necked Pheasants  2 weeks ago and I blogged about the planning stage.  (See here to read more) I did more planning than usual because I was trying something new, molding paste.  

Close Up of painting on the molding paste.  See how the colours are changed by the paste.  Lines forming where there are ridges in the paste.  Does make for interesting texture. 

Well, I am here to tell you, the Creative Journey is not always filled with joy . . .

There can be challenges.

1. I was really being good and first did colour swaths to make sure of my colours.  Well, that didn't work as I soon found out.  The paste tends to grab the pigment sometimes making it more opaque than when just on paper.  Colours didn't mix on the pasted area properly.  Sometimes they ran along the lines created by the molding paste and showed up somewhere else.  

Tried out different colour combinations to see what I liked.  Little did I know that they would not look like this when I painted them.  

It took awhile but I learned: no big wet washes.  For a real splash of colour, brush had to be fairly dry.  

After Painting the background I was excited but a little worried.  (Blue edge on birds is the frisket) 

2. The foreground just seemed to be a out of control.  

I took a picture and changed it to the grayscales to see if it followed my Notan sketch.  It did but still  . . .(See Notan sketch on other post here ) 

I really found I had to be patient.  I needed to work with the patterns of grasses in the foreground but I needed my pheasant painted in before I dealt with them.  The foreground would not make sense until the pheasant were there to give it some meaning.  But it was hard to leave it alone...

As the birds began to appear the foreground begins to make more sense.  I have started to add a few darks in places to suggest grasses and small bushes. 

3.  Glazing colour over another colour, something I love to do, was very hard.  It was easy to lift pigment off the molding paste so that really helped in making corrections and changes.  But when it came time to glaze over an area to create depth there were problems.  Brush too wet, colour underneath lifted.  Worked an area too much, colour underneath lifted. Underlying pigments not dry when glazing, colour underneath lifted.   Fiddle with a spot (not that any of us would do that), colour underneath lifted.  Needless to say I painted several areas more than once.  

Yes, I did have moments when I was frustrated and discouraged.  The joy was not with me.  However, my idea was still burning in my head.  Once I painted that first pheasant in the back I was hooked.  I was determined to finish.  I wanted to see how my idea would play out.  

RING-NECKED PHEASANT IN THE FIELD - Matted 16 x 20, watercolour.
 Very pleased at how it turned out.  Lots of interesting things happening in the foreground, glazed several times to change the colours.  (note around the head of the middle Pheasant) even reshaped the background a bit.  

I really started to listen and pay attention to my materials and try and learn how to work with them instead of fighting them.  That lifting thing turned out to be really great.  I was able to lift off lots of pigment and really start again in parts of the background that I felt had gotten too dark.  I did glaze. A lot.  I made sure things were really dry before moving into an area.  I was patient.  (sometimes it is best to just take Max for a walk and let things get good and dry.  Max loved that part).  I tested my brush constantly to monitor how wet/dry it was. I even started to feel the joy again. 

Black & White Study of RING-NECKED PHEASANT IN THE FIELD
Always intersting to see the finished picture in black and white. I can really see that there are lots of interesting shapes to balance with my Pheasants. 

And best of all, I finished it.   

Are your Creative Journeys full of turmoil and challenge or do they run smoothly?  

Next up, my Intober Tangles 2019 Collage - didn't quite finish it in October, but Wow! Wait until you see it.  

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Join me in November and December to Make Christmas Cards using Doodles and Candles.  See info below ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Contact Me to Register ↓↓↓↓

Get Ready for Christmas!! with a Fun Way to Improve your Drawing Skills

This year's theme is Candles, Holly and Poinsettias - Samples of things you can do with them

Christmas Card Classes 

Saturday, Nov 16, 10-12pm. Art by Wendy's Studio, North Surrey

Wednesday, Dec 4, 1-3pm. Gardenworks at Mandeville, South Burnaby

Treat your Friends to a Special Christmas Greeting

All supplies Incld $40      Contact Wendy  Gift Certificates Available 

OR

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225
Drawing lessons in graphite, carbon, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils.
Based on your Schedule at my Studio, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy