Sunset Mallard

Made a little start on my painting today. The duck has the most beautiful colours as it's bathed in the light of the setting sun. I want to capture the golden hues on the ducks plumage.

Paint by numbers

Today I painted very basic blocks of colour, trying to concentrate on the basic shapes. At times painting in the large areas I was feeling like I was painting by numbers. I will let this dry over the weekend, then the fun begins.

The skin's on

The canvas that is, I've started by applying a skin of dilute oil paint, its main function is to knock out the white of the canvas. some artists apply a wash of ochre or similar for the same reason. whilst I was waiting for this to dry I had a quick play with my palette.

Back to oils

I've spent a while sketching out this composition on a canvas. The light was fantastic illuminating the swirls of movement on the pond. The duck had a magical glow due to a fantastic sunset. This was taken at my favourite place, Richmond Park.

I've decided I need to get more organised in my approach to my work which at best is a little haphazard, so I have spent time selecting a palette, rather then making it up as I go along.

White

Burnt Sienna

Cadmium Orange Hue

Cadmium Yellow Hue

Cadmium Yellow Light

French Ultramarine

Cerulean Blue Hue

Payne's Grey

Magenta

Naples Yellow

These colours I think will be all I need, I want the finish smooth and liquid.

I've tweaked my last painting, main difference is the line of the wash. This has been brought down, and some more magenta/brown in the water to show the sand through the sand.

Guincho Beach

I've spent time tweaking this and for now I'm happy. I've posted it up on my artist forum for a C&C but I'm putting it on the shelve for now. I haven't come up with an inspired title for this painting, it's something I always struggle with, so for the time being it's simply called Guincho beach, the name of the Portuguese surfer's beach where I took the photos this is based on.

The main changes were the reflections on the beach, and I changed the colour of the sky more towards the turquoise, then ultramarine.

I need a name for this painting

I've managed to get a decent photo of my wip to date. I'm really enjoying this, I haven't had a lot of experience in seascapes, but so far really liking it!

As previously mentioned this painting is experimental, I'm using various techniques. I originally used a gouache wash, which I am exposing through the pastel using an eraser. Other areas I'm blending strong colours by lightly rubbing over them with an eraser. Finally I'm working into dark areas with layers of lighter pastel.

What a beautiful day!

I'm struggling to get a decent photo of my wip, but these are not bad. I'm trying to keep the dog simple, concentrating on the laboured walk across the wind-swept beach.

My title refers to my trip today to Richmond Park this afternoon. A beautiful clear crisp day, colours vibrant in the sunshine. In less then two hours I'd seen a heron fishing (yet again unable to get a decent photo), a cormorant diving for fish, a herd of deer and finally a most spectacular sunset. All of this 10 minutes walk from my door, I'm so lucky! If you look closely above the tree on the right you can see the heron a flight, he always escapes my camera!