How to Take GOOD NATURE Reference Pictures on the Trail: Painting & Drawing Tips

I love to go on Nature Walks.

My favourite are trails that wonder through different terrains with a variety of vegetation and have  water. 
 

Wendy at Kay Dubois Trail - Quadra Island, BC

Of course, on any walk. there is a strong urge to take pictures.  Believe me, Apple could get rich on the storage fees I pay to save my pictures.  It seems no matter how rigorous I am when I get home, I can't seem to delete them.  Even the ones I know are bad!

So I have a new strategy.  Take GOOD pictures.  This means Have a Purpose. I know, you are going to say, You Always HAVE a Purpose.  By Purpose, I don't mean 'Take nicely composed landscapes'.  

There is more to be DONE to make those Photos good Reference Pictures. . . ;

*************** Special Note: *************** 

Time to REGISTER: Enhance Your Drawing Skills 

Thursday, October 10, 17 & 24, 6:00-8:00pm PST (Zoom) 
$75 Before Oct 8, $90 after
Medium: Ink & Watercolour

Join Wendy to learn new drawing skills with this playful pair, Ink & Watercolour.  See below for more info.  Contact Wendy to Register

***

See my YouTube video with more discussion and examples on this topic: 

How to Make Interesting Landscape Paintings  
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Can't you just see a Seagull on this driftwood or use it as a mini- environment.  I love that plant growing there.  

First of all, consider what you want to do with those pictures.  When I hike along a trail I am always looking for interesting settings to place my birds and animals.  Often my bird photos do not have natural settings so I need to find some for them.  The other thing I look for is interesting nature environments. What is your purpose for your pictures?

Think about the lighting.  This is particularly important if you are mixing elements from several photo sources.  Depending on the time of day and sunlight, there will be different shadow patterns in your photos.  Yes, you can 'imagine' the shadows as you integrate the material from each photo but really, nothing compares to seeing the 'real' thing.  

Very interesting Negative Space and love the misty rain in the background

Look for interesting Shapes and textures.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming in the summer to find interesting pictures.  Everything is green!! I look for interesting shapes and textures.  For landscapes I like to take pictures that have interesting Negative Space.  I liked the misty rain in the background of the picture above.  It was really nice to see but very wet for me. It really poured after I took this photo and it was a good 15 minutes back to the truck!!

Place a model in the setting to give a sense of size to elements in the photo

Think about proportion: This is especially important if you are thinking of adding a subject to the photo when you paint it. Having the size of the bird or animal match the scale of background you are putting him in can make or break your picture.  I often use people, my dog or even a glove to give myself a sense of size. This really helps when I am later working on the painting. 

Good Fishing - Caught this great shot of an eagle eating a fish and put him on this rock in the bay.  

Take more than One Picture: If I know I want to use this picture for a painting I will take extra pictures.  Zoom in and Zoom out.  This information can be very useful when you want to add things like: more vegetation, other types of plants, logs, stumps, etc.  The material in the other photos will represent what would be in the area and it would have the same light and shadow patterns of your main reference. 

Taking pictures is great fun on the trail, and even more so if they prove useful for your creative process.  

*************** Special Note: 

Time to REGISTER: Enhance Your Drawing Skills 

Thursday, October 10, 17 & 24, 6:00-8:00pm PST (Zoom) 
$75 Before Oct 8, $90 after
Medium: Ink & Watercolour

Join Wendy to learn new drawing skills with this playful pair.  See below for more info.  Contact Wendy to Register

***

See my YouTube video with more discussion and examples on this topic: 

How to Make Interesting Landscape Paintings  

*************** 

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Private Drawing Lessons, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

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Have a great Artful Day,

  

Wendy

The Trouble with Photo References - Painting and Drawing Tips

It was one of our West Coast Snow Days.  
2 - 3 inches of snow on the ground, cloudy sky and rain ready to fall to wipe out the snow.

SHORT-EARED OWL: ON THE PROWL - Nearly ready for my Up Coming Show on March 6-8 

I was out in the park with my grand-kids.  I snapped a few pictures.  They were Awesome.  (Well, they are my grand-kids).  But really they were good.  The lighting was just right.  No shadows, great colour, wonderful clarity. The portraits I took were soooo cute.  I was thrilled. 

But they were No good for drawing or painting . . . .

Why not??      No Shadows. . . .

Take a look at these shots of a young barred owl.  My grandson found him on the trail and took me out to see him.  It was really neat to see this young owl just sitting on the branch watching people go by on the trail.  I took a few shots of him.  

Young Barred Owl on the trail - Photo

Yes, got a clear image.  Yes, got lots of details on his feather patterns.  You can even see his claws peeking out from his feathers.  But there are no shadows.  Nothing to give drama to the painting. The painting would be a good rendering of the owl.  But nothing to really grab the eye and command its attention.

Take another look at my Short Eared Owl: On the Prowl at the top of my page. Even though he is not finished -  Notice how the shadows on his face command your attention.  The darks in his feather pattern move your eye down his body but the darks in his face keep you going back to it. This adds a little tension to the picture.  Creates a sense of movement. That strong contrast of dark and light on his face commands your eye's attention.  These things all add that extra piece of drama. 

Maybe you wont want that drama in the drawing of my grandson.  He is very cute and could probably hold your attention on his own but for other things you might want more. 

Getting shots with that extra bit a drama does take time.  Early morning or late in the day are my favourite times.  The sun is at an angle and the shadow patterns tend to be more interesting.  I do a few test shots and check my angle.  Then I click away.  You never know when they will move.  I found if I wait and wait to click, it is usually too late.  Sure clicking end up with lots of shots but  . . . they are easy to delete. If I am lucky there will be 1 or 2 I can use.  

Once you have the shot, the story doesn't end there. There are other issues to deal with.   Often I take my bird or animal and put them into a new setting.  And as you suspect, integrating my subject into a new environment has its own problems. If this is part of your story too,  I suggest the following for further reading:

Integration Part 2: Art Tip - Multiple Reference Photos - putting your subject 'into' the environment
Getting the RIGHT Reference for you Wildlife Painting - things to think about when selecting a photo to work with

Time for a Photo Shoot - going on a Photo shoot

COMING UP FAST!!!!

March 6-8, 2020 - The West Fine Arts Show
In support of Langley School District Youth Homelessness Initiatives
Friday March 6, 7-9pm              Saturday March 7, 11-7pm              Sunday, March 8, 11-5pm

 Peter Ewart Middle School, 7755 202A St, Langley BC. 

 Yes, I have teamed up with this great show event: 22 Professional Artists, Awesome Art, a show you shouldn't miss.  Looking forward to seeing you there. 

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

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OMG! You have to Plan FIRST!! Painting & Drawing Tips

Don't you just want to Fling Paint?

You know, grab a brush, drop it in paint and "Go For It".  It seems so loose and free.  Sounds wonderful.  

Unfortunately it is not the Real World.  

A few of my picture from my sighting of the Ring-necked Pheasants

Planning needs to happen.  I don't mean happy mistakes aren't possible. And yes you can throw all the paint around you want.  But at some point, you will step back.  You will study what happened and you will plan your next move.  For some this happens very early in the process of creation.  For others it may not happen till near the end. Instinct will keep you moving.  But isn't that just planning on your feet.  

I like to paint and draw wildlife. I definitely find that requires planning.  Especially at the beginning. I find the more planning and decision making I make at the beginning the better I am able to relax and go with the flow once I get working - the Loose and Free stage. 

So what do I do? 

 Find my reference Material

I wanted to paint a picture of the Ring-necked Pheasant.  I saw some in the fall and got great pictures when I was out at Riefel Bird Sanctuary last year.  The idea has been percolating in my head ever since.

Once I gather together a group of pictures I study them for a ideas as to what I can do.  Unfortunately, birds and animals do not pose in interesting ways and in good lighting for me.  I usually end up taking ideas from 3 or 4 pictures and putting them together.  I picked the side view of the pheasant in the top picture and the front view of the two together in the second picture.   

I went for a walk in our local park with Max looking for a bit more to include in the foreground.  I felt 'just grass' for such a large area might be pushing it.  I may suggest a few dead leaves and in the background I would like to suggest a few branches and foliage. 

This sketch is only about 2 x 4 inches.  It doesn't need to be large but it does need to be in the same proportion as your painting.  

Next I turned to a few No-tan Sketches to test my layouts.  Here is the one I liked.  When I make the sketch I try and make it the same proportions as the original will be.  I look at what is happening in my picture on each side of center.  I also divide the length and width into thirds to see what is happening at those intersecting points.  

Now it is time to put my birds on the paper.  I like to use transfer paper to place my drawings.  That way I can "test" my layout without any erasing.  (See The Tears Free way to Transfer your Image) 

I liked the feel of this layout.  It looks like an interesting arrangement and interesting shapes. 

Just about ready to paint but first . . .
I need to decide how I would paint it.  What order I wanted to do things.  I decided that I wanted to try some molding paste to break up the large grassy shape in the foreground and the dark background.  Also I wanted to be sure to save the heads of the birds and a few strong lines so I put frisket on them.  This allows me to be free and easy with the background/foreground colours and still preserve my important lines.  I know, you are wondering if I will ever get to be Loose and Free with my paint. 
   

Birds with molding paste on the foreground and background and birds with a bit of frisket.  

Ok!!!While waiting for the molding paste to dry I can mix my paints. Finally,  I am Ready to Fling Paint!!  See you in my next post.  

This is the paste I used. It depends on how thick you put it on as to how long it takes to dry. 

For More on Planning Your Composition See: 

How Many Planes does your Painting Have? 

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

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. 

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, 

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Wendy

Time for a Photo Shoot- Painting & Drawing Tips

ARE your gloves, toque and scarf ready to go?

At this time of year the rains start.  It is cold, wet, gray and dreary.  For many it is depressing.  Not enough light.  Where are the Vitamin D capsules.

But it doesn't have to be that way . . .

THE NEW APARTMENTS - Lots of secret hideaways can be found in the dark corners of the forest

Get your gloves, toque, scarf, rain gear and for me the best invention ever - waterproof runners.  Head out and see a different world: spidery trees silhouetted against the storm gray sky; angry clouds swooping down over the rolling farm land; busy squirrels scurrying along the fence.  There is lots happening even though it is gray and dreary.

THE JOY OF SOLITUDE - framing the shot but still including lots of foliage information 

As many of you know I have a young dog, Max.  Let me tell you that gray, dark and dreary doesn't stop him.  (Well, actually add heavy rain and he really starts to wimp out).  But at any rate, he wants out for walks, every day.  We head out at least twice a day for at least 40 minutes each.  So I know, there is lots happening out there even when you think all is still.

PRETTY BUT POISONOUS - Names for future paintings POP into mind, when I am drawing from my experience

This is really a great time of year for artists. . .

Getting good Reference Material is tough.  I know you can hop on the internet and surf away, but painting from your own experiences, brings more emotional involvement into your work.  New adventures translate into more enjoyment for you, new inspirations, new directions, and better work.

THE HIDEOUT - Set my aperture speed so colours were rich and warm, rather than washed out as they would have been on Auto Focus

Max and I went on a photo . . .

It was AWESOME.  We have had a week of cool rainy weather, great for the mushrooms.  I grabbed my camera and Max and I headed out to Tynehead park. (the old wooded section, for those that live near here) It was wet and dark tramping through the trees yet surprising pretty.  Many of the leaves were down, so the ground was covered with rusts and golds, the long, straggly moss was clearly visible draped from the trees.  But more exciting of all was the mushrooms.  Max and I found lots of them.

THE FAIRY VILLAGE - I try and step back to get lots of location information when shooting my subject

THE FAMILY GATHERING - I zoom in, zoom out, try different angles.  You never know when you will capture that special shot. 

Some things I think about when shooting:

- change my camera settings to see what looks good.  My Auto Focus was gray but when I used the Program Mode and changed my Aperture Setting (closed up the light getting in) I got lovely golds and browns in my pictures.

- shoot my subject as closeups but also zoom out, try different angles.  Collect information on the setting that could be added to a drawing or painting.

- kept myself Open to new subjects.  Who knew I would find so many different kinds of mushrooms once I really started to look for them.  I photographed 10 different types on that one trip.

What was Max doing ?. . . .
You probably are wondering what Max did while I was kneeling on the ground, straddled over logs, squatting down behind trees.  He was being the most wonderfully trained dog I have ever seen!!  When we found our first mushrooms, I was so excited I drop the leash and started shooting.  He stood around, wondered a bit, but basically stayed within a few feet of me, dragging his leash.  He trained himself.

MAX - He is becoming the Greatest Artist's Companion!

There are great spin offs from every Photo Shoot and not all are predictable. . .

- I have, of course, already started to enjoy a few random sketches of my mushrooms

- My students have already expressed an interest in drawing and painting them.  I can't wait to try some of them in pencil

- Naming future mushroom paintings will be easy as I am already bubbling with names and painting ideas. (see last post on The Naming Game.)

- A new series may be born: one that might not have any wildlife in it but then again, maybe it will.  I wonder what kind of wildlife would be wondering by a mushroom.

- Writing and talking about my mushroom paintings will be easy, my adventurous day already has some great memories to infuse into my talks.  

For me the life of an Artist is more that just working away in the studio, what about you? What else do you do?

Wendy's Work is always available on her website:  "Art by Wendy" & at her Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt

Opportunities Coming Up: 

1.  Nov 1, 7:30-9 pm,
The Secrets of Graphite - Thursday Night Art Talks with Wendy Mould AFCA, CDM.  Surrey Art Center, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey.
Learn how to make magic with pencil - Artists have been doing this since 1564.

2.  Thursday, Nov 22-Saturday, Nov 24. 
Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC
Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby

Workshop 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: 

How to find the Right Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook Ready for You? - here
Have You Felt the Freedom of the Line? - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

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

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Integration, Part 2 - Art Tips: Multiple References Photos

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Its winter around here so no plein air adventures for me. 

I could do frozen watercolour paintings and I have a friend that does but it is not for me.  I like surprises in my texture, which you certainly get with frozen watercolour work but . . . Okay.  I am a wimp.  It is too cold for me!  Or I could say, on the west coast here it doesn’t get cold enough but we did have a few days in December and early January that would certainly have worked.  (By the way, if you are looking for information on frozen watercolour paintings contact Alfred Muma, in Powell River. He likes to play around with that.)

So this article is for wimps!   

HUMMING TANGLES - Ink & Watercolour - 5 x 7 Available

We work in our studio in the colder months, using our reference pictures from the summer.  And if you are like me, you have lots!!  The digital age generates a great reference library. 

Things are wonderful if my photo tells me everything.  However, you may be lucky enough, or should I say, experienced enough in photography, to get that one great shot that tells all.  But I am not.  I usually end up with several photos:  maybe using the background from one; the angle or expression from another; and more information from a third. 

This is where the trouble starts.

In my case it is usually a bird or an animal I am working with as I am a wildlife artist.  However, integration issues are there for whatever the subject.  (I have talked about other integration issues in my blogs and there is a list of several related posts below this one.) If you have done all the other things I have mentioned in my blogs and you are still not happy, I have more to suggest.

This is Integration - settling in.

Even if colour, size and other issues are addressed your subject needs to “settle in”.   It needs to feel like it belongs there.  Not something that is floating on top, you know, the ‘pasted on’ look. 

To really make your subject feel at home in the environment, it needs to be “in it”.  This means the environment should be around it; something behind it; beside it; and in front of it.  You are going to say, “I have a background, mid-ground and foreground, but things are still not working.” 

The key element is ‘in the environment’.  Here is the situation, the bird is placed on the branch, the background, mid-ground and foreground are there.  But the bird looks pasted on.  The answer, put something from the foreground in front of the bird.  It doesn’t have to be much, a branch or a leaf, something to tell the viewer that the bird is really “in the setting”. 

Through the magic of Photoshop I removed the branch in front of my hummingbird in Humming Tangles.  See the difference.  Even in a surreal forest, that little flowering branch, seems to reach out and bring my little hummingbird into the setting.  

Have you any tricks or tips for Integrating a Subject into a different setting?  I would love to hear them.

Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar) 

Have a great artful day, Wendy

Related Posts on using Multiple Reference Photos:

Have you considered the Light? - January 14, 2015.

Tricks and Treats with Multiple Reference Photos - October 15, 2015

Have You Considered the Light? - Art Tips on Using Multiple Photos

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

  Inspiration has hit!
A project is on the go!  References are ready.  

You take the bird from this photo, the branches and leaves from that one, put them together beautifully . . .but . . .  something is wrong!

A Friendly Face in the Forest - Watercolour - 12 x 16 

That darn bird looks out of place, it doesn't seem to blend into the setting. 

Have you considered the Light?

Not the shadows, but the light.  There are several things about light that need be looked at in order to properly integrate that bird into its setting.

1. Reflected Light: Here you need to go back to that Apple you had to draw in drawing class. (You just knew I would get my drawing stuff in here somehow.) There is the shadow on the subject but next to it is the reflected light.

Apple with shadow and light patterns 

  This area is very much affected by the colour of objects just below or beside it.  In the case of my Stellar Jay, the glow of the mossy branches are very much in evident below the bird so there would certainly be a green/yellow glow added to his chest and under his tail. See detail picture below.

 For another example see my post on "Afternoon Tea" where the pink of the fuchsias washes over the underbelly of the humming bird.  

2. Ambient light: 

Here I mean the combination of light reflections from various surfaces to produce a uniform illumination over the whole area.  Both subject, background and foreground.

In the case of my Stellar Jay, there is a definite ambient light surrounding him.  In the forested areas that are rich with the greens of moss there is very little direct sunlight.  It is reflected light through the trees and branches.  When everything is draped with moss you just know that the usual rules of sunlight colour will not apply.

I originally had the backlighting on my jay white. I had carefully saved that white while I washed the background, painted the background and painted the Jay.  A real job!  (You acrylic and oil people can chuckle at that as I know if you want a white you can find it in a tube.)  Once things were all in place it was time to evaluate that white.  It definitely needed some of that green/yellow glow - soft and subtle -  but it needed to be there.  

Picture Detail:  Stellar Jay before the colour was added to the white area - his back and crown.

Picture Detail: Stellar Jay after the colour was added to the white area on his back and crown. 

Take a second look at your bird/person/building that you have put into a new setting.  Are there issues with the reflected light and ambient light that you have not addressed?  Put a plastic sheet over your picture and experiment with some colour on the plastic in those areas. 

Step back to evaluate. 

Standing too close makes it hard to see the whole image.  Putting green on a blue bird's belly seems strange up close but stepping back brings it all into focus.

Let me know how it works out for you. 

Special Note for Readers coming from the "Adding Salt to theMix" post, Dec 10, 2015

In the step by step pictourial demo for using salt with watercolour I talked about cleaning up funny spots creating by the watercolour washing up against the frisket.  In this case there were some funny lines near my Stellar Jay's face, an important area in the picture.  As you can see from the picture details above,  once the glazing was done for the background, things are fine. If the background had been a plain smooth surface it would have been much harder to lift and blend things in.  But with a mottled background lights and darks blend into the foliage. 

Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page.
 Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar)
Have a great artful day,
Wendy

Tricks and Treats with Multiple Reference Photos

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Are you filled with an awesome inspiration?

You go through your reference material and  . . .

Oh no, my dog is facing the wrong way.

Or, is that bird to big for the branch?

Even worse, my lighting, everything is different, the shadows are going everywhere.

But worst of all, I can’t see all of the person, that branch is in the way.

You can feel that awesome thought slipping away. 

But wait, don’t panic. 

True, no reference is perfect!  But you are an artist and there are “secrets” that will help you move on.  

Brian and Tula (On Texada Island)

Where is my Right? Who took my left?

Surprising enough the direction the subject faces can be easily solved.  Just use the magic of  Photoshop - Rotate Horizontally.  I know, now your are going to say I still need to worry about size and shadows. 

First you are left and now you are right!!

Who is bigger than who?  or is whom?

Now things are getting more challenging.  There is no handy dandy computer program that will tell you the proportions for your bird to the branch.   When I am working with birds and flowers, I take a few measurements.  The bird sizes are in my bird books and I usually use local plants if I can.  Not so easy with larger animals and people.  I often go to a park and work with the trees and plants there.  Again I have sizes from reference material to help. 

 In the case of Brian and Tula,  I knew in the summer that I was going to need a certain background with a person in it.  So I used my handy dandy husband as a model.  He posed in various places along the beach until I found a spot I liked for my background.  ( I might add he was very patient as we had to go several times. I forgot about the tide!!)

Have you seen the light?   

Here is where your creative genes can really flow.  In order to get the lighting right you need to simulate the situation.  No, you do not have to get a bear and shine a light on him but a model will work just as well.  A small clay model will work to get a feel for the shadows on his body and the ground around. I am often out in the backyard setting up props to photograph.  Whenever possible I like to use a 'real' situation as you get not only the shadows but a feel for the reflected light on your subject. (Yes, my neighbours have often given me a few funny looks!)  For this painting I was lucky, I had my 'model'. (see previous paragraph)

Where is the tail? Shouldn't there be 2 ears?

Now this really can be a challenge - missing pieces.  But remember, you are an artists. You can draw. Photographers are stuck with that branch hanging in the way but you can move it.  I know, that is the problem.  You leave it out but now there is a whole in your subject.  If it is a person, it is easy.  Grab the nearest person, put them in the position and photograph away. (Needless to say, my husband was back on the job again.)

Animals and birds are another thing.  I take lots of pictures when I photograph something.  My hard-drive is full of pictures with animals in the craziest positions. My techie, otherwise known as my son, often comments on the size of my picture library and all the storage space I need.  But when I try and delete some of it,  my finger just wont work!   You can never have too many pictures for reference.

Sketch on tracing paper to work up your subject

But I know things happen, this is your awesome idea from a picture you took on holidays last summer.  You only have one picture of your elephant and his side is covered by branches.  (You might want to consider keeping those branches in your picture, just a thought) You need more reference material. The internet is your next bet.  Do an image search for elephants. No, you wont find a better picture but you will find out what his side looks like.  Now you can finish the drawing.  I like to use tracing paper to work out my shapes. I can make lots of changes and get a feel for how it will look before I commit to my watercolour paper.  You can also include the shadows and check out your lighting ideas at the same time.

Don't let those awesome ideas disappear.  Get creative. Make a model. Make them happen!

Got your own tricks and treats for those pesky reference pictures? What are they?

Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page.
 Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar)
Have a great artful day,
Wendy
Not too late for that Christmas Commission, order today.