The Salmon are Here!! - Painting and Drawing Tips

Salmon Here?? - Painting and Drawing Tips??
What on earth is she talking about?

No, I haven't lost it but . . .

Even though you want to paint, even though it is raining out, you can't spend all your time in the STUDIO.  There is nothing like getting OUT THERE and really experiencing what you paint. 

This is what it is all about - a spawning coho

For me, it is the Salmon. . .
We have had an exceptionally dry summer and fall. Well, actually days and days of fabulously warm, sunny crisp days.  It has been awesome.  But not for everyone.  Well, not for the salmon and probably not for a lot of other things in Nature.   No rain has meant no water in the smaller rivers feeding into the Fraser Delta. This means fish are pooling at the mouth of these areas waiting to come up and spawn.

Higher water, means fish coming up the river - my best shot so far of a jumping salmon

Finally the rains have started . . .
The fish are moving.  It is so amazing to see these big fish come up the river.  Here at Tynehead Park we are fortunate in 2 ways.  We have a  Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon coming up our local river.  And we are fortunate to have a strong group of volunteers that support the Fish Hatchery based there.

Fish caught in the trip - some will be kept for eggs and the rest counted and put back into the river to spawn

The work begins . . .
It is not as easy as it sounds.  The rain comes and then it is a waiting game for the salmon to decide to move up river.  The rain stops, water levels drop, they move down again.  This has been happening for the last week.  I was lucky to arrive just when a small group wondered up.

Fish are netted from the trap 

After they netted and identified this Chinook, I was able to get a feel. 

It was really exciting to hold this big fish

Don't get me wrong.  I have been fishing many times and netted a nice salmon.  But this was different.  I needed to hold on and Not let her get hurt. 

Oooops! Harder than you think to hold a powerful, wiggling fish

This female Chinook was headed for the holding pens.  Her eggs aren't ready yet, probably 2-3 more weeks they tell me.

Putting her into the holding area until she can be placed with others in the holding tanks

Working at the Hatchery isn't all sunny days. . . 

I have been down there checking nearly every day this past week.  Seems like the biggest groups of fish come when it is very early in the morning and pouring rain.  The hatchery needs to get a certain number of male and female Chinook, Coho and Chum. As I said, things are late this year and suddenly fish are coming fast and furious.  

Counting and Sorting Fish - they have all the Coho now so this one goes back into the river.

With all my trips to the hatcery this week I have truly appreciated the amazing volunteers that are working there.  They are there early in the morning, (frankly, 5:30 am is not morning to me) and all through the day.  They answer all my questions, that I know they have been hearing from others all day, with a cheerful smile. And talk about what is still to come.  More rain til next week and they still have Chum Salmon to see to.  A BIG THANK YOU  to all the guys and girls that volunteer to keep the salmon coming back to our rivers. 

I will be back as well. . 

I am still chasing my elusive picture of a salmon jumping right out of the water.  I saw many yesterday but no matter how fast I click, I seem to miss it.  Hopefully I can catch some Chum jumping on the weekend.  Regardless, I do have a few great shots of salmon that I will work with this winter.

Special Note: 

With the salmon also comes the Bald Eagles.  The Harrison Mills area with the Chehalis Flats is a huge collection area for the Eagles and the dying salmon.The Eagle Festival is happening there, Nov 17 & 18 with tours, boat rides, and lots of information.

EAGLE: SOFT LANDING - 7 X 5 - Ink & Watercolour - $130 on Etsy soon every rock and tree at the mouth of the Harrison River will be a sentry point for the Bald Eagles.  

   If you can't make the Festival, the eagles will be there in high concentration for at least 3-4 weeks. So be sure and check it out.  While your in the neighbourhood, stop by Kilby for souvenirs (Art by Wendy ones, of course) and snacks.  They will be open the Nov 17/18 weekend and Dec 8/9.  

EAGLE COMING DOWN - 4 x 3 - Ink & Watercolour - $105 Contact Wendy Seeing all the eagles in the trees lining the Nicomen Slough, Harrison Mills is an amazing sight.  

In the meantime, I will get back to my Studio this week.  Several things on the go: Finish my painting of a Whisky Jack and of course complete my promised post on Creating Texture in Graphite - See you next week.

Opportunities Coming Up: 

1. Heart to Home Art  Show & Sale, Saturday & Sunday, Nov 17 & 18,

Surrey Art Center, Bear Creek Park, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey
Looking Forward to seeing you there. Guaranteed to find that perfect One-of-a-Kind Gift - Handmade Arts and Crafts from 30+ local Artists. Free Admission, 

2.  Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC

Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby

Show Days: Thursday, Nov 22-Saturday, Nov 24Workshop Day: Tuesday,  Nov 20

10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class

1-3pm Christmas Card Making Class

$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome

Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy 

Artists reading this post also find the following valuable:

3 Ways to Turn Drawing Despair into Action here

Drawing a Seagull Part 1 and Part 2 Starting here
Using Edges to Make Soft and Fluffy Birds & Animals Part 1 and Part 2 Starting here 

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

The Salmon are RUNNING - Painting & Drawing Tips

I know, I was going to talk about values in graphite verses watercolour in this post

but when Wildlife Things are Happening you have to be ready to Move.

My Coho Salmon with the blazing red colour

Saturday, Nov 11 we had rain in the evening.  

Not an uncommon thing here on the coast of BC but a very important thing at this time of year.  The rain puts lots of fresh water into the Fraser River and its tributaries and acts as a major signal.  The last salmon run is posed and waiting out at the mouth of the river. 

Chum and Coho at the fish ladder gate

That huge rush of fresh water coming down the river, signals the salmon to move.  This run heads up the Fraser and moves into the smaller rivers.  I live near the Tynehead Fish Hatchery on the Serpentine River and their last big run was happening NOW.

Opening the Fish Trap

My Dream
I am very much fascinated by the salmon run.  When I was a teenager we moved to the Comox Valley. I saw awesome salmon runs there for the first time.  The Puntledge River by our place was plugged solid with salmon in the fall. The smell, the fish, the seagulls, what a sight. After moving to Surrey, I was happy to see that the salmon come up the Serpentine River and I visit the Tynehead Fish Hatchery often. My Dream is to get some pictures of spawning Salmon swimming in the shallow waters.  I really want to capture the  Coho, with their bright red spawning colours.

Sunday, Nov 12, 4:30am The Call Came
The coho were moving.  The hatchery has been waiting for the Coho, they harvest the eggs for spawning.  So far only 12 coho seen, 10 males and 2 females.  But now the fish were coming, they were there and ready by 5:30am.  No, I wasn't there, unfortunately I am not on their list.  By the time I got there later in the morning they had their fish for the hatchery.  Now their job was to capture, count and release. 

Sometimes there are lots in the trap and sometimes not.

The hatchery harvests eggs from the Chinook, Chum and Coho. Once they have their catch for the hatchery, the other fish will now move up the river and spawn.  The hatchery's job is also to count returning hatchery fish and wild fish, to get a snapshot of what is happening in the river. (Hatchery fish have the small fin on the back removed) 

Keeping Score

Out of the rain and waiting to open the trap - Not your best hotel, but still warm, dry and comradely to help pass the time.

These volunteers are amazing, I was there a few hours with them watching but they had been there since 5:30am.  Did I mention it was a cold, wet, day.  A big thank you to all these guys and girls that volunteer to keep the salmon coming back to our rivers. 

One of the big Chum moving up the river

Not sure if I got THE PICTURE, but I got lots of others. I did however, get a very interesting adventure.  

Special Note: 

The Eagle Festival is happening there this weekend, Nov 18 & 19 with tours, boat rides, and lots of information. Harrison Mills.

FOLLOWING THE LINE - $300 (Matted 9 x 14) inspired by the Eagles in the trees waiting for the salmon at Deroche, in the the Nicomen Slough, Harrison Mills area. BC

With the salmon also comes the Bald Eagles.  The Harrison Mills area with the Chehalis Flats is a huge collection area for the Eagles and the dying salmon.   If you can't make the Festival, the eagles will be there in high concentration for at least 3-4 weeks. 

FRESH SALMON - 5 x 7 -  Inspired by the Eagles and Salmon

I will get back to my latest drawing series next week. Next up: Values and Colour in Action 

 
Looking for other drawing information:

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing

 4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit

Time to Meet Your Drawing Friends

Ready to Start Drawing - Get Your Materials Together

Get Those Values Working for you

Blenders the Secret to the Soft Touch of Graphite

     

Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!! 

Special Offer: Free Shipping with your order of 5 or more  Christmas Doodle Cards or buy the Digital Down Load Cards and print as many as you wish. Lots of time till Christmas to personalize your cards with colour.  Your Special People will love their Cards.

Great DIY Christmas Project:  Make Your Own Christmas Cards 

Christmas Card Doodle Classes Happening in November

Kitten and Puppy are happy to be featured on Your Special Cards

You will make some Great Christmas Cards for those Special People using my friendly little kitten and pup.  You will make at least 2 cards and you will feel confident to make more.  $35 all supplies included.
Classes: 

Sat Nov 18, 10:30-12:30 or 2:00-4:00  Art by Wendy Studio, North Surrey
Wed, Nov. 22, 3:30-5:30 Gardenworks at  Mandeville,  South Burnaby 

 Contact Wendy Here to register. 

Time to Move Inside and Draw
Drop-In & Draw: 
January Dates: Tues, January 9 & January 23, 2018: 10-12pm or 1-3pm
February Dates: Tues, Feb 6 & 20, 2018: 10-12pm or 1-3pm
Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.  
Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on a drawing.  $15 Pre-Register Required. Contact Wendy Here

Be sure to like and share my posts.
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 Have a great artful day,
Wendy

Feather Soft, Gritty Bumps with a Pencil??

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Texture can create so much interest in a piece of Art

It's one of the reasons Original Art is so special!

In thick oil or acrylics the brush or palette knife is a natural tool

But . . .

Creating Texture with a pencil is a different process.

On the Watch - 13 x 16 - Graphite

Drawing a picture like "On the Watch" requires a lot of planning as you can imagine.  In that planning process I always think about texture.  I really like my birds and animals to have that feather soft look.  I often hear comments on my dogs and cats like,  "the fur looks so soft, you could pet it".  I want my birds to have that same feeling,  their feathers need to have that smooth, sleek look as they fold around the body.

At the same time I do not want the sand and trees to be smooth and even though the rocks are smooth I do not want them as smooth as the eagle's feather.  So decisions are made early on as how things will be treated.

My process in drawing is two part.  I draw and fill in areas with a soft pencil.  I use Rising Museum Board to draw on which has a 'bit of a tooth' or bumpy surface.  Using my soft pencils, I glide over the tooth dropping graphite in between.  This leaves little white flecks which gives the area a gritty look.  In the sand which I want a light value, I use harder leads, like a B, F or 2H.  But with the rocks and trees I use softer leads, 4B, 6B even an 8B.  This gives me darks but still leaves the gritty texture.

On the Watch - Detail

The soft smooth texture on my eagle is created differently.  Here I am flattening the tooth of the paper to get that smooth look.  For this I use a blender or tortillion.  To achieve the darks it takes many layers as each time I blend I am also picking up graphite.  Above in the close up of my eagle, you can see the gritty texture of the rocks and sand while the feathers have a soft, smooth texture.  

Blenders/Tortillions - wads of rolled paper, I like several different sizes

My picture "On the Watch" was inspired by salmon runs that happen here each fall.  The spawning salmon are moving up the Fraser River dying on their journey and after they spawn.  At the peak of the run the shores of the river are lined with dead fish and the smell . . .    Well let's just say it is something else!

The Bald Eagles gather for this Salmon Feast, it is one of their major migratory stops in the late fall.  You can hear them screeching as they announce their find and declare their ownership.  This eagle has just found a dead salmon washed up on the shore and is about to feast on it.  But he has to keep sharp watch as at any time others may come and challenge him for a piece.
Contact me to purchase my work.  Collectors enjoy a 10% discount on original work.

Have a great day,
Wendy