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

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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, 

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

3 Strategies that Produce Good Reference Pictures for Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

Spring Weather is Here!!! 

While it's here today anyway.  Hopefully it is here to stay.  

This is the time when you grab your camera and start taking pictures for new works.  Everyone has a camera now, thanks to Apple.  And of course those cameras are clicking steadily.  

Closed for the Season - Watercolour, 16 x 20 Matted $550

But are you getting good reference pictures that you can work with?  

As a Wildlife artist I am constantly looking for wildlife and settings that would make for a nice place to put my wildlife.  Why am I looking for settings you ask.  Well, I find birds and animals don't always pick the best spot to be photographed.  A bird perched on a wire is not as interesting as one on a branch in the forest.  But its the birds on the wire that sit the longest for those good shots!!

Needless to say, I have tons of Reference Pictures. But when I go to paint with them, I realize many are useless.  Here are some of things I found very helpful when taking my shots.  

3 Strategies That Produce Good Reference Pictures

1.  Good lighting: Take reference pictures on a sunny day to get great shadows to work with.  Sure you can see all the details in a picture on a gray day but when you paint it, it will be flat.  Those shadows bring things to life.  

Two Seagulls: one with shadow patterns one without.  

Here you can see two Seagulls. (I have reduced them to grayscales for better evaluation)   The one on the left is clear, every detail can be seen.  It has been shot in low light conditions, probably a gray sky.  The seagull on the right has sunlight and shadows. Not all details are clear, some are buried in the shadows.  But which seagull catches your eye.  The shadow and light on the face of the seagull on the right has a strong contrast that grabs and holds your attention.  That's what you need if you want a bit drama in your work.  

2.  Stay away from the noon day sun.  Early morning and early evening gives lovely cast shadows that add interest and unity to your work 

Bright sunlight directly on the subject really washes it out.  

The bright sun washes out the colour as well as many of the shadows that add depth to your subject.  

Ducks in the evening Sunlight

Notice how the ducks have interesting shadows and lights that catch your attention.  And the late afternoon/evening light although bright is not so harsh as to wash out their colour.  

Tulip in the early morning light

This single tulip has soft interesting shadows that makes interesting eye candy for the eye.  

3.  Take lots: Zoom in and out and with the same light direction.  This can be a real game changer for you.  Often you see a great subject and snap a few pictures.  But the problem starts when you go to paint it.  

Some of the Reference Pictures needed for the painting. 

I was well underway with my painting, Closed for the Season.   I had a good little picture of a birdhouse and Towhee but then I stalled.  I realized my snow on the branches was not working and the branches weren't really right either.  Fortunately it was snowy here at the time (we actually don't get much snow and it usually melts so fast you can't find any on the branches)  I went for a walk and really looked at snow on branches and the kind of branches and underbrush I needed for my background.  And of course took more pictures. You can see the finished picture at the top with the changes I made.   

So take pictures of not only the subject but zoom out a bit and include the surroundings.  Try and keep the angle of light the same.  The vegetation and bits of things in the area may be just what you need to finish off your background or foreground. 

Have fun with your Photos, your work will definitely reflect this extra knowledge of the surroundings. 

Awesome Opportunity - 2 Artist Retreats in the Shuswap

June 23-26 or September 15-18, 2023

Join me for 4 DAYS of Outdoor Sketching, nature walks, deck and beach time, creative conversations, gourmet meals and simply relaxing 

Your Hosts, Joanne Denis and Myself
Cost: $450 single room or $300 shared room
Art instruction, transportation (from Lower Mainland), meals and lodging included (Bring your own art supplies.  

Space is limited to 8-10 attendees, Register Early 

  Contact Wendy for More info

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

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

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

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

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 

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

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