YOUNG EAGLE

I saw this young Bald eagle at a wildlife art exhibition that I took part in a few years ago. Bring as it was from a rehab center, I found the bird to be quite relaxed around people and managed quite a few sketches along with some photos and various color notes in my notebook etc. When I got back to the studio, I decided to create a portrait of the bird in oils instead of the usual watercolors that I had been using for these kinds of things before. So working on a board that I had given a few coats of gesso, I rubbed in a yellowish-brown color for the background and when it was dry carefully drew in the bird. The plumage was then laid in on layers waiting until the underlying one was dry before adding the next although the large beak was done in one sitting. Most of the long head plumes were tipped with a pale cream creating a beautiful look so these were carefully added last - all this is lost when the bird matures though. I spent quite a bit of time working on the eye being careful to get it right in the hope of bringing the bird 'alive'. In the end I was pleased with most of the portrait but plan on doing another one of these days. Young Eagle is 12" X 9". SOLD.

MORNING IN ANZA BORREGO

They say that time flies when you are having fun............... well I must be having a lot of it since I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted on my blog!
Morning in Anza Borrego is an older painting done from a trip to the South-western US desert some time ago. Mornings in the desert are always special and on occasion, one is greeted with a wonderful cloud formation. That was the idea with this painting and I worked on a 16" X 24" canvas in oils laying in the graduated blue sky first before adding the clouds a little later. The landscape was purposely kept subdued so as to focus the eye on the sky so I used harmonious pastel shades echoed in the sky. I love the small 'popcorn' clouds which are not seen that often and have always found the sky to be a great teacher. It is never the same and I am always surprised and delighted. Evening walks are always a joy as they are timed to coincide with the setting sun. At this time of the year birds fill the sky at this time too so it is an irresistible combination.