Monday, August 4, 2008

The Steps of a Giraffe

Since I've been so horribly lax in painting (with some other things needing doing and also with a hideously busy week at work), I thought I'd post a slide show of the creation of a painting.

I was pretty proud of the fact that I didn't use any mask at all with this background because I always have a tough time painting large backgrounds - i.e. keeping that area wet enough and not drying out. There were many, many washes applied for the neck and face areas with the spots.

Watercolour (of course!) on Arches 1/4 sheet with mostly Daniel Smith and Winsor Newton paints. A finished Giraffe is below the slide show. Titled "A Coy Giraffe".




10 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Hey, I remember this girl or guy!! And how jealous I was that your giraffe was so much nicer than mine! :)

Deb Léger said...

Hi Rhonda! Thanks for the comment and always stopping by. Jealous of my giraffe? LOL!!

ps - I'm jealous of how often you get to paint! lol

Ann Buckner said...

I love seeing the step-by-step slide show. Naturally, the giraffe looks great and especially love the coy expression.

Dana Marie said...

Hi Deb!

I ADORE Giraffes and this one is simply gorgeous!

~ Dana Marie

Anonymous said...

Deb: I like the use of mid-tone for the giraffe and the way you rendered the eye as if it is looking down. Gives the painting a contemplative feel that I am sure many will want to come and look at over and over.

Atul Pande

Deb Léger said...

Hi Ann, thanks for your comments and unending support! I find that, throughout the years, our taking shots of our work and sharing it is a wonderful learning tool. N'est pas?

Deb

Deb Léger said...

Hi Dana Marie, thanks very much, both for stopping by and for your comments.

Deb Léger said...

Hi Atul,

Hello, and thank you for stopping by! The coy look that was on the giraffe's face was what drew me to him (or her?) immediately. You almost expect those eyes to open wide, stare straight into your own eyes and see what's there inside you before you have a chance to bring the shutters down and lower your own eyes. I hope I relayed that feeling in the painting.

Deb

Sandy Maudlin said...

Hi Deb,
Great slide show watching her come alive. Hope you're pushing other things out of the way so that you can paint more.

Deb Léger said...

Hi Sandy, thanks! And yes, I'm definitely pushing other things out of the way to paint. Especially this long weekend!