Red Rose in oils

This one was rather challenging to paint - usually I can just add white to lighten a colour but I couldn't do that this time as white turns the red to pink.  I used yellow and a bit of white to lighten the red.  I found it easier to work from a black and white reference photo which I have never done before for a painting - it was easier to determine the tonal variations using the black and white copy.  Also,  it was easier just to paint one petal at a time - was to confusing otherwise.  I am really pleased how it turned out in the end.   

Red Rose measures 6 x 6 inches and is painting on Ampersand Gessobord Panel.

Many thanks to KJ Sieloff for the reference photo.

Bluebell Forest ACEO in acrylics

I had fun painting this one.    I enjoy painting the small landscapes so will have to look for some more reference photos that I can paint.  At least the sun is shining today - yesterday it was raining.  Fingers crossed we will have a nice sunny weekend.

Bluebell Forest measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

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Many thanks to Dave Webb for the reference photo.

European Eagle Owl ACEO in Acrylics

I haven't painted an owl before but I just love the vibrant colour of this owls eye that I just had to paint it.  I tried something different when painting this one - I used the acrylics more like watercolour paints and did a few washes to build up the painting.  Rather pleased how it turned out.

European Eagle Owl measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painting on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

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Many thanks to Paul Sherman for the reference photo.

Eastern Bluebird ACEO in acrylics

Decided to painted another Eastern Bluebird. This bird usually has more that one brood per year . The youngest born later on during summer will normally stay with its parents over the winter months which is rather interesting.

Eastern Bluebird 2 measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on 300gsm Arches smooth Watercolour paper.

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Many thanks to Bill Thompson/USFWS for the reference photo.

Blue Jay in Acrylics

I really enjoyed painting this one.   I thought about painting it as an Aceo but decided rather to paint it as a  6 x 4 inch.  It took ages to paint the feathers.  I concentrate on one section at a time otherwise it got a bit confusing.  There are some interesting facts about this bird but I find the most interesting is that they help spread the oak tree after the last glacial period due to their  fondness for acorns.

Blue Jay 2 measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Archers watercolour paper.

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Many thanks to Frank Miles / USFWS for the reference photo.

Cantaloupe slice in oils

It is interesting how many names this fruit is known by.  In Australian we call it Rockmelon, in South Africa it is called spanspek and in other parts of the world  it is also known as sweet melon, mushmelon and Persian melon.  I decided to name the painting cantaloupe.

We are still having a rather wet and cold winter here which is very unusual for Brisbane.  Today we had sunshine which was nice after the rain we had over the weekend.  Fingers crossed we will continue to have sunny weather.

Cantaloupe Slice measures 7 x 5 inches and is painted on Ampersand Gessobord panel.

Many thanks to Lillian Bell for the reference photo.

Baltimore Oriole ACEO in acrylics

An interesting fact about this American bird is that the male only molts into the bright orange plumage in the fall of their second year. Until then the young male plumage is more yellow-orange.   Another interest fact is that they seem to prefer eating ripe dark coloured fruit. You wouldn't think birds would be selective when it come to food.

Baltimore Oriole measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth watercolour paper.

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Many thanks to  David Brezinski / USFWS for the reference photo.