Sunday, 6 May 2012

Elephants

As I've mentioned previously one of many artists I've become interested in is the Chinese artist Lian Qhan Zhen. Amongst his subject matter are animals and birds. I've just bought a DVD of his and also looked at some of the trailers on Youtube.  There are at least three on which he features. Last Thursday at my AVA group the subject was `animals or birds' so it gave me an opportunity to try a few things. I decided on a group of elephants. www.lianspainting.com/


My initial setup. The top left photograph is one of Lian's, which is illustrated on his website. 


Elephants - Lian Quan Zhen. (Fantastic - look at the colours!)


The initial drawing


So far so good (?)!


`Big Ears'- Fontenay 16" x 12" 140lb (300gm) Not

Not up to his standard or even approaching it but who is? I think there are things to be taken from his methods it's just a question of being able  - not easy - to do so. As you can see I went for colour using many that I've mentioned previously, Quin Gold, Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Rust, Cerulean, Cobalt Violet etc. Lian  generally uses three or four! How about that.

Here are a few of the paintings from my fellow artists. I did not take so many on this occasion due to lack of time..

   Cath Wilkins - Watercolour Pencil


Jan Weeks


Helen Newman (actually pastel)

I've mentioned the DVD. I'll review it together with his Youtube videos in the near future.

As is usual at my AVA sessions I used a mixture of Escoda, Isabey and Rosemary retractables.  Escoda sizes 8, 10 and 12  Series 6212 Kolinsky, Isabey 4 & 6 Series 6201 and a Rosemary rigger. The Escoda and Isabey came from Jacksons and the Rosemary direct.





9 comments:

Linda Roth said...

Wonderful work Peter. Your elephants are every bit as good as Luan's. I love the colors you've got going.

Peter Ward said...

I don't think so LW. I wish they were still nice of you to say so.

Ray Maclachlan Art said...

A really fine painting Peter. Must have been fun to use such colours on the subjects. Thank heavens you named them. CR would approve.

Ray Maclachlan Art said...

A great effort Peter, well done. You must have enjoyed using such different colours. I'm glad you named them.

Peter Ward said...

As usual thanks for commenting Ray. I'm hung up on colour, especially looking at the works of such artists as Lian and Jean Haines. Easy to get carried away though!!!

Unknown said...

Great work Peter. This is a cracker.

Peter Ward said...

Thanks as usual Mick but I'm not all that enamoured of this painting. I think I can do better.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Lian's work has always appealed to me, he really sets off his work with the darks and his work then seems to pop, but hey that's my opinion.

Peter Ward said...

I agree with you Ann. I think he's terrific.