First Painting of 2019

Actually I did the drawing prior to Xmas, and finished the painting on the 1st, having started it a few days before BUT it was finished on the first. I have been collecting a series of references in three main categories, Birds, Animals and Native Americans.  I go through them from time to time and select ones to be painted. They all come from Pinterest.

'American Bison' 16" x 12" Cornwall 450 gsm Rough

This paper is one of the extensive Hahnemuhle range. It's a heavier weight so doesn't buckle. The surface is fairly pronounced and quite hard so the paint does not sink into the paper nor spread much. These features can be  both an advantage or the reverse depending on what sort of outcome you want. The original animal is mainly a darkish brown colour although there are hints of other colours. I approached it using Charles Reids dictum of arbitrary colours. Cerulean Blue used for cools with a mix of Ultramarine Blue Light (Lukas) and Transparent Brown (Schmincke) for the darks, sometimes more blue and sometimes more brown. Also used was Raw Sienna, Quinacridone Gold (Daniel Smith or Winsor and Newton). I still have some of the original paints made with PO49 not the current multi-mixes. Also Quinacridone Burnt Orange (Daniel Smith PO48).

I was reasonably pleased with the result although not perfect by any means. As Charles says 'mistakes are part of it'.