Another Bird

I recently did two small paintings of Robins. I rather enjoyed it and inspired by Gerard Hendriks quick, colourful, and impressionistic current series of bird sketches off I went. Mine aren't as loose as Gerards, not deliberately just how they work out. They don't take that long, an hour at most including the drawing (and breaks). I'm not sure what the bird is. It looks like some sort of Finch but not a UK species.

`Pensive' - 24 x 32cm Cold Press Fontenay 140lb.

I first made a careful drawing, paying particular attention to the head. I then started to paint from the bill with Ivory Black (Maimeri). I then moved to the yellow on his head using Indian Yellow (Rowney PY153) and then to the red areas with Quinacridone Deep Gold (Daniel Smith PO48). The green/yellows were Green-Gold (Rowney PY129) and Sap Green (Graham). There is some Cerulean in the shadow area under his breast and a little Burnt Umber. The branches are also Deep Gold, sometimes with a little Burnt Umber.  

Brushes used were all Isabey. The retractable Nos 4 & 6, which are quite small and slim for their respective sizes and the No 6 Kolinsky.which is more like a normal size 6.

Flowers ... and Things.

Flowers..and Things.- Canson Fontenay 16" x 12" Rough

The other day I decided that I needed a change of subject and went into my small garden to select some flowers as part of a still life. I added some fruit and two jugs. This isn't a specific flower painting just a painting with flowers in it a la Charles Reid's approach..

I first made a loose drawing and then painted. Not much preparation apart from juggling the still life about and the whole thing was completed in less than two hours. Yes possibly I should have spent more time on planning,  but I have a personal conflict between spontaneity and  deliberation. I should be more deliberate and think more about what I do I realise that, but on this occasion just wanted to get paint on paper with a changed subject after a lot of portrait work in recent months. Hopefully this will open the door to more considered paintings with a similar theme.

Colours used included Cerulean, Cobalt Blue, Indian Yellow (Rowney PY153), Ultramarine Violet (Rowney PV15), Permanent Carmine (W & N PR N/A), Permanent Rose (W & N PV19), Transparent Yellow (W & N PY150) with various blues for the greens. A touch of Greengold (Rowney PY129) and some Burnt Umber for the dark stems and white flower centres. Also touches of Gold Ochre (W & N PY43). I think that's more or less it. Usual brushes with Rosemary Series 33 No 9 prominent.

A word about the paper. I like Canson Fontenay a lot. It has a rough surface on one side and a not on the other. You can choose whichever side you want facing out when you order the blocks. A word of caution. The rough side is not very rough, more like a not on some other makes and the not surface moderately smooth. This suits me but may not suit everyone.  It is also available in sheets. I haven't looked very hard but the only source from the usual suppliers I deal with is Great Art www.greatart.co.uk . The other problem is the price has been increased in the last year and it is now more expensive than both Fabriano Artistico and Waterford, the other two makes I use most often. Still it is a very nice paper. Comments welcome.