Work In Progress - Toucan

This weekend I am doing a show so my painting time is limited. However, here is a photo of the toucan painting. I have now started to play with a waterfall in the background. It is still rough, but the idea is interesting. The toucan is still very rough.

When the weekend is over and I have more time, I will dive into this painting and finish. I think the toucan is getting impatient!

Work In Progress - Toucan

Here is another photo of the painting in progress.

Work In Progress - Toucan

This weekend was spent at the Mill Creek Arts Fair which was a wonderful event. Our booth was packed with paintings and we had many visitors, some stayed to watch me paint.


I worked on the toucan painting when I wasn't selling stuff or talking about commissions. The painting changed many times...I guess I am still searching for the proper background.


As you can see, the toucan is roughed in...I want to see what background colors will work with this beautiful bird.

Work In Progress - Toucan

After painting a number of landscapes I have decided I need a little wildlife to spice up my life. This step is the formulation of the composition and still in gray tones. I like to draw with paint and often start with a range of grays looking for value contrasts and interesting shapes. Right now the painting is flat, but will gain dimension as it progresses (I hope).

This little toucan will be very colorful and fun to paint once the composition is established. I am considering having a variety of leaves and fruit in the painting...maybe with a flower or two. What do you thing? Perhaps I should add another toucan to keep him company? This is the fun of painting...so many possibilities.

Blossoms on the Quad - Final

Here is the final photo for the painting, Blossoms on the Quad. It took some time to get here, but I enjoyed each stroke. It is hard to stop painting this one...but I don't want to overdo it.

If you are ever in Seattle during the cherry blossom season, check out the Quad at the University of Washington. You will think you just passed into some strange wonderful fantasy land...without homework.

Have a great 4th.

JR

Work In Progress - Cherry Blossoms, etc

Here is the painting with the initial painting of the cherry blossoms on the foreground tree. There is still a lot of shading and highlighting to be done, as well as the grass and walkways.

What do you think...are the blossoms too overwelming?

Work In Progress - Foreground Cherry Tree

I am now working on the foreground tree. It's darkness will be contrasted by the beautiful cherry blossoms on the tree. I also need to work up the tree highlights to add interest.

Cherry Blossoms In Progress

I am now adding the cherry blossoms and other trees in the background. I haven't added all the shading yet, but it will be needed to show distance and separate the trees, etc.

I have also worked on the large tree in the foreground. It has a lot of character...hope I can capture that.

Work In Progress - Quad2

Work on the painting is coming along...I am working on the trees and blocking in certain background colors. I will probably do a series of washes over the background before coming forward. This is a lot of fun!