Capturing the spirit of animals in pastel
Home • Galleries •
My Art Everyday • About Carol •
Pet Portraits • Workshops •
Contact
MY ART EVERY DAY BLOG: October 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
"Fall Marsh" soft pastel, 4"x12"... This is my first 'art diary' entry... This little pastel was done at the Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Preserve. I had never painted the marsh before... the weather was cloudy, great for color, not good for values... And while I was at the refuge, I saw and photographed a harbor seal and a snowy egret. Every time I sat to sketch the seal, he swam into the water... Comments
Thursday, October 12, 2006
"After The Rain" soft pastel, 6"x8"... This little painting was done in the afternoon, in my backyard. Scotsman's Brook, which borders us on two sides, swelled after the torrential rains the night before and dragged many colorful leaves to the ground. Comments
Friday, October 13, 2006
"Afternoon Light" soft pastel, 4"x12"... I went out later this afternoon to paint as I had to finish scraping the paint off the garage door windows I had painted last week first, and I had to do some other errands. The reflections in the water are what attracted me to paint this scene, again from my backyard of Scotsman's Brook. Comments
Saturday, October 14, 2006
"Goldens" soft pastel, 4"x12"... I began this painting on Thursday, the 12th and managed to finish it this morning before I received a call that my best friend for 32 years was having emergency gall bladder surgery. She lives 2 hours away from me... I stayed with her all night at the hospital. She loves my golden "Hobo" and he loves her... he sticks to her like 'glue' when I'm visiting at her house. This painting is a double portrait of him... he was watching me paint in the backyard that day "After the Rain," and I couldn't help but sketch him. After awhile, he laid his head down, and I painted him in the scene again! Comments
Sunday, October 15, 2006
"Waiting for High Tide" photograph... Today I was in Massachusetts at my best friend's side, so I didn't have a chance to paint, however, I did get some of my photos back from the Scarborough Marsh, so I am posting my cropped photograph of a harbor seal, waiting for the tide to come in, hence the title... Comments
Monday, October 16, 2006
"Low Tide" in progress, soft pastel... One of my favorite places to paint plein air is at Cape Porpoise Harbor. It is a little fishing village with lots of lobster boats and skiffs anchored in the cove. I have painted the multitude of skiffs many times and of course this lighthouse, also called Goat Island Light. I'll kept this painting in my studio for a few days and make some minor adjustments. Painting en plein air is a more spontaneous approach to a subject and if I make too many adjustments I will lose that freshness... check back in the next day or so for the revisions... Comments
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
"River Calm" in progress... Today I painted a view of the Mousam River at Roger's Pond in Kennebunk... It was the first time I had ever been there... not even a mile from my house. It was cold and damp today so I walked around a little outside and then painted in the car... I want to work on it a little more tomorrow, Wednesday... the day was overcast so there was no strong sense of light, but the fall colors were vivid... see what it looks like tomorrow... Comments
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
"Low Tide" soft pastel, private collection, 4"x6"
"River Calm" soft pastel, 6"x8" Today I worked on refining the last 2 day's paintings... the completed paintings are above... what do you think? Comments
Thursday, October 19, 2006
"Reeds and Cats" soft pastel, 4"x11"... I painted this afternoon behind the paper mill in Westbrook, by the river. I chose this simple scene of reeds and cat-o-nine tails with their reflections... I think the painting needs more contrast... I will work on it tomorrow... Comments
Friday, October 20, 2006
Today I worked on the plein air pieces a little, but haven't made corrections to my satisfaction. Will post an image later....
Saturday, October 21, 2006
"Thibodeaux" graphite, private collection, 14"x11"... This morning I got up and worked on this pencil portrait commission of a 2-year-old American Mastiff. At noon, I went to Scarborough Marsh and then to Prout's Neck (where Winslow Homer had a studio). I did some photographing, trying out my new monopod, and saw a snowy egret again... I dropped the film off tonight and I'll post a photo of the egret tomorrow... Comments
Sunday, October 22, 2006
"Egret" photograph
"Egret Flying" photograph
"Harbor Seal" photograph
Here are a couple of the snowy egret photos from my plein air painting trips... and another of the harbor seal below... Comments
Monday, October 23, 2006
"Masquerade" gouache, 15"x11"... This painting of a sheep I photographed at the Fryeburg Fair earlier this month is done on toned paper in gouache (opaque watercolor). It had been sheered and then clothed, and was sitting there resting... Comments
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
"Coyote" graphite, 15"x11"... Today as you can see I am working on animals, again. They are my passion and I can't help myself. I made some minor adjustments to yesterday's piece "Masquerade" and began a coyote painting with this value drawing... I will work on it as a demo and post my progress tomorrow... Comments
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
"Coyote" gouache, 15"x11"... I painted my coyote today, unsure if I will add to the background or not. Check back tomorrow to see... Comments
Thursday, October 26, 2006
"Cougar Sketch" pencil 15"x11"... I went to the Maine Wildife Park today, and sketched and photographed. I am going through a rebirth right now, examining my medium, subject and style... wish me luck! Comments
Friday, October 27, 2006
This will be my last post for awhile... I am going on a photo shoot at a wildlife rescue and to a zoo in Florida. I will post what I can when I return...