Yellow Bird. 8 x 8 watercolor and pen on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado
I wanted to call this done, but I think it still needs some work. All the branches seem to be on the same plane. The original photo is very dark, and I “saw” multiple trees, and maybe some vines hanging down. My father has since sent a new photo, and it is in fact one tree. The photo below is what I started from.
Ducks stopped by for a few minutes early this morning, but have been absent since. Two of the Bushtits visited during breakfast. They have been here less often as well. I had a little fun with Photoshop filters on these.
Little Pip, Bushtit
Same photo with a Sumi-e filter
Blur filter
Hi Sheila. Lovely little bird and interesting process you’re involved in. Who am I to advice you on this? I’d say: If after a night’s sleep you still think you want to work on it… I agree with Val that you as artist have the liberty to deviate from the photo (and leave the branch bottom right out for instance). For the idea of depth I suggest you have another good look at shadow and light in the photo. A grey wash on all branches may unify them, but the question is what you want us to see. A grey wash may also help to make the bird pop more, especially if you also add some highlights on the bird or something like that. It’s an interesting question to wrestle with. If it was my painting I’d try a second version and put some of the branches in the back in in a more blurry way, just suggesting leaves and branches by working wet-into-wet. And perhaps even letting out all the branches in front. That does help to suggest depth. I don’t think you can still get that effect on top of what you have.
After doing two, you can compare both paintings – which one suggests the mood you want to suggest better? What do they suggest to our eyes? That would be very interesting. Sorry for the long answer. Anyway – I hope to see where you take this.
Thank you Corinne for such an in depth response. I agree, the best thing would be to start over and try again. I was really happy with it in the beginning, but once again, I have overworked and lost the vibrancy. I love the idea of wet on wet, I am just not sure I can carry it off. I will have to do some research, look through my watercolor books and find some videos. And practice. Your suggestions would lead to a much better painting, and if I can learn how to successfully do wet on wet, I will be a much better painter 🙂 Thanks again Corinne, you have given me a lot to consider!
Hi Sheila, you may find it by plowing through video’s on youtube.If you don’t mind taking a course, I learned this from Fred Lisaius, in his watercolor courses on Carla Sonheims platform. Check his work out – see if you like the way he speaks (there’s an intro video on Carla’s youtube channel I believe). He’s very good at explaining technique – he’s a wonderful teacher. Yes it’s always good to practice. Enjoy!
I would love to take a class, thanks for the info Corinne! I love Carla’s work, and Fred’s work is magical. Thanks for introducing me to him 🙂 Hope your day is fantastic 🙂
Glad to hear that. My day is great. A mix of hard work and an evening of painting. Loved it. Have a nice day!
Thanks Corinne 🙂
Pip, and ducks, and bushtits—oh my! Sheila, you’re going wild with wildlife of late. Fun to see Yellow Bird above, and now I’m eager to see where you take this painting next since you’ve designated it still in progress. As you know, I’m way into still-in-progress these days myself! We can cheer each other along : )
Dotty your work always cheers me on 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your pretty yellow prayer progress.
really cute little fellow!!!
So glad you like him Carol 🙂
Your little pip is darling. About your painting; I think a gray wash on the front branches might help to unify things. I do have a problem with the dark branch on the right that seems to be coming out of the light colored branch in front of it – it looks like the branch to and from nowhere – lol. Remember that as an artist you have the liberty to deviate from a photo – it is called artistic licence!
Thank you Val 🙂 You are right, if I make them all the same tree, then that would help. O.K., so still in progress them. LOL