With many thanks to the great blue heron who flew up into the branches of a large sycamore tree outside the window at work where we were having our daily morning meeting. He sat in the early morning sun, stretching and preening and watching the creek below, and we had a nice diversion from our routine.
I sketched him on my meeting notes (which I can't show, because it's, well, work stuff, too, you know...) and then found a reference photo on Wet Canvas which matched so exactly that I checked the name and date of the poster to be sure that it wasn't somebody from the meeting. Odd, but true. (It wasn't, of course - it was by a wonderful photographer, Dave Slaughter - you can go to Wet Canvas and check out his work.)
I'm finding gouache in the Moleskine to be an interesting experience. Kind of like watercolor, but not. I keep wanting to treat them like oils, but not. They are their own thing. I'm liking them!
29 comments:
This is beautiful, Linda!
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! THE CONTRAST OF THE DARK BRANCHING AND THE LIGHT SAND IS JUST A 'WOW!!!' -- AND THE BIRD IS BEAUTIFULLY RENDERED!!! WAY TO GO LINDA!! Your work is just getting better and better and GRAND!
Can you tell me more about using moleskin? Where do get it, sizes, etc. It sounds like an interesting technique, an judging from your work, can result in some really nice art.
Wow, Linda - this gouache Moleskine is going to be some prize when you are done with it! This is simply GLORIOUS! I haven't used the gouache in my Moleskine much - but seeing this, I'm going to have to try it again!!
Yay, YOU!!
we have lots of great blues in our area. I miss them now that they are gone. This gousche is beautiful and I too love the mole skin surface for using them.
Gosh! He's gorgeous! I'm sure who ever was persenting the meeting would have rather he moved on so he/she would'nt have competition for your attention (LOL). Glad you had meeting notes to draw on so you could share with us!
Gorgeous rendition Linda. The colors chosen are just lovely. That would have been gorgeous framed. Ah... the drawback of using a sketchbook, rather than artist paper. I think a series of birds would be stunning. IMO
Very beautiful depth of colors here... glad you are enjoying the gouache paint on the Moleskine pages. I too like the matte finish and the opaque quality--so much different than watercolors. Lovely work from you as always!
I am so behind on my blog reading!
The painting is very lovely!
Beautiful! I'm busy fighting drawing and watercolor, but my gouache paints are awaiting my attention. It's a fun, interesting medium. I've had a feeling that my mind would work better with gouache or oils better than it does with watercolor since I could work my darks first.
Wow, this is stunning Linda! That blue is amazing, you feel like you are right there in that beautiful sunny day and I love the way it tails off - otherwise it would be too perfect! ;) I agree with Diahn, this book is going to be a prize!
This is a very, very, very beautiful painting. Amazing.
Since you were asking about varnishing gouache, have you ever checked the gouache forum at wetcanvas? They were havin a long discussion on that subject.
This is so awesome, cool sketchbook spread!
This is lovely! I have not used gouache since art school and that was a lifetime ago! I had no idea one could paint like this with it. Beautiful painting!
Just beautifully done. Love the compostion and great work on the bird.
This bird must be fishing for Diane's fish!
This is so stunning, Miss Linda---really a showstopper. I just love your work. Sigh.
Beautiful colors in this painting, Linda!
Absolutely gorgeous! You have a way with the gauche!!
This is beautiful , as is so much of your work which I have just discovered. Thankyou for my comments. I have just bought my first moleskine, so now getting used to the size and paper. It is inspiring seeing others work in the moleskine , yours of course.
Linda, I don't know if my email got through to you. If it didn't, my emal address is:
wfrenzulli@mac.com.
I appreciate your comments and enjoy your art.
you take my breath away. I saw a heron once up close...beautiful. I think I need to order some gouache because so many bloggers are playing with it right now and I want to come play too!
Beautiful, really. It looks so smooth, almost pastel like rather then gouche.
janey
http://janeysjourney.com
Gouche does have unique qualities all their own. That is an awesome Great Blue Heron.
i love blue herons...i thought they were only on the coast until recently...how blessed you were to have this gift to paint...blessings today, rebecca
Goodness, Linda, what a beautiful painting!! I don't blame you for sketching him while you were in the meeting, and I'm glad you found a great reference to be able to paint him later. It's wonderful. I may have to dig out my qouaches from college and start playing!
Thank you for the post on my blog! It will be MOST interesting to see what these tadpoles turn into! :)
This is just a stunning piece Linda!!
you got a heron in Knoxville??
Yes, indeed, we have herons here! There's lots of lakes, rivers, creeks, and general wet areas, and the weather is mild enough that they stay year round. At least the great blue herons stay. I don't know about the little green herons -- they're a bit more shy... The one I saw this day was actually just a few blocks from downtown -- we have a large creek that winds through town and it's like a strip of wilderness right in the middle of everything.
This is beautiful! I had fish for lunch today too. It's Ash Wednesday.
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