I was trembling in my boots when a lady I know asked me to paint a white duck for her. Painting white feathers onto white paper in watercolour means you simply have to use some colour! But which one(s)?
I took a while to paint this as I was very nervous about each wash as I layered it on.
I feel excited about the result and realise that I just have to be brave and put very dark paint in the shadow areas to make the white “pop”.
To purchase a duck pillow please click on the above image:)
This morning I had the urge to put pencil to paper and geese were on my mind. They appeal to me because of their associations with fairytales and golden eggs and a bit of magic. They also make good guard dogs and one once bit my father’s thumb really badly.
A real gaggle of geese! Pencil sketching for practice.
I use big A3 pads of cheap paper from Poundstretcher etc so that when I draw and doodle I’m not worrying about wasting good paper.
I used a Derwent Onyx Medium pencil to draw.
I fancied doing a few heads and one or two full bodies and this was a really good learning curve for me.
Drawing the first one I was totally drawn (excuse the pun) to her curvaceous and plump body and especially to her gesture as she stepped forward - her sweet webbed feet over-lapping each other …
The next one was a sweet looking goose with an angelic head.
After that I saw this old looking one with a great angle to his head. Fun to try and get that down on paper - some shape!
The last one I FORCED myself do as I would normally shy away from something so difficult.
Again - learning to see is the main problem - not learning to draw! To help with that I would recommend “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards.
You will come on in leaps and bounds - I know I did. You’ll love it - it really puts you into orbit about drawing and observing - such a phenomenal book. No wonder it has become a classic.
A while ago I took photos of real live geese near Caerphilly Caste not far from where I live. This is a watercolour I did of one of them. She was a real beauty.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these simple sketches.
Alison
Finally! Walked dog, done washing, cleaned kitchen and had lunch. What a marathon. Now I can sit down to paint.
Here is my earlier post about a white chicken’s head that I painted in watercolour.
https://eastwitching.com/2013/02/16/i-will-paint-a-white-chicken-if-it-kills-me/
This is how she has ended up - very early days yet - watch this space
Today I am starting afresh with a new chicken and am going to have a bash at painting her. I am pleased with the drawing which took me ages as I had trouble getting her pose just right. I really wanted to show her angle compared to the ground which is what appeals to me about her as she pecks for food.
Here are my basic steps so far.
But before I start - a quick clean up job on my trusty Frank Webb palette is needed. If you use tube paint I cannot recommend this palette enough.
I’ve had mine for over 20 years! Come back for more progress on this hen when you have a mo!
Close up of early washes on hens face
My first ever white hen
I have been prevented from painting many animals that are white - why? Because I can’t do it!
I find it very hard to paint white fur and feathers convincingly. Painting white on white watercolour paper is of course very tricky.
To quote a famous artist “With the tools of darkness he labours after light”.
But some artists manage it beautifully - so there must be a way.
I have been looking at such artists a lot lately as I am desperate to be able to paint fluffy white hens, swans, white horses and more.
So here is a head of a white chicken done today as a follow on from my post about painting fowl - here - https://eastwitching.com/2013/02/12/feeling-fowl-paint-a-chicken/
I limited myself to the head to see how I could do.
I used Arches hot pressed 90lbs paper, Cadmium Scarlet, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Cobalt Blue, Winsor Violet a bit of Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna for beak and eyes and for the black of the eye and nostrils I used a mix of French Ultramarine and Burnt Umber.
Brushes are size 3 and 6 rounds.
I am happy with the end result and see that I just have to leave some white space bordered by other colours. In this case the blue reflecting light of the sky and the green underside suggesting grass reflection. I am very excited about painting her whole body…watch this space.
Anyone with painting white animal tips feel free to comment!
My first ever white hen
Had the urge to get some stunning poultry photos yesterday and these 3 lovelies are what I found!
What do you think? A pure white hen scratching for corn, a pheasant looking like he’s on the run and a sophisticated and proud cockerel that I am dying to paint.
But - first things first. I drew the cockerel on a large A3 pad with a 3B pencil.
A little bit stiff this first attempt but I just had to get it out of my system late last night after I had bought and downloaded the image. I love his splayed feet and crazy tail feathers.
I will draw him again when I am calmer and pay more attention to his flamboyant plumage. I love the gesture of the white hen as she inclines her head downwards so unaware of the viewer - just going about her business…Watch this space for more drawings and some paintings.
Anyone else mad on chickens?
My Lemon Giraffe in scoop white frame with white matt
Buying prints is one thing but we all know how often they languish against walls or get piled on top of wardrobes because we can’t get round to framing them.
Quiet Donkey in white matt and frame
Let me help you there. With my stretched canvas prints and framed prints from Society6 all the donkey work has been done for both you and I.
I upload my super high res images that are taken from scans of my original watercolours and then Society6 people do the printing onto top quality linen canvases or frame them in sustainably harvested timber frames.
Sweet Seaturtle
They also use eco-friendly 100% cotton rag on which to print my artworks.
So - without further ado here are some of my nursery themed animals for your viewing. Click on any image to be taken to the Society 6 website where purchasing is a click away.
Should you see an animal but want a different colour background just send me a message to eastwitching@hotmail.com and we can sort out what you want.
