Saturday 25 February 2012

OTTER WITH ABSTRACT TEXTURED BACKGROUND
Otter Finished
I decided I didn't like the sky colour and that the greenery needed some more depth so I worked on those before adding more fur detail to the otter.  I've called it "Thank You For The Fish" because with eyes closed and front paws together, he looks like he's praying.


Otter Phase 2
Started to add some colour.  It looks a bit messy at  them moment because I am just experimenting with colours, textures and composition.  I'm still quite pleased with the way it is coming along.

A Little Watercolour

I decided to do a quick watercolour whilst I was waiting for the gesso to dry.
Gesso still not dry!! Will have to wait until tomorrow before I can start to put paint on the otter 
background.

Otter Phase 1
25 Feb 2012. Started a new painting in a completely new style for me.  I have no idea how it will turn out because it is all experimental.  But I decided to get more creative with my backgrounds.  That's what going to an exhibition does for you!  I started with a blank (box) canvas and decided to have a go at an otter I photographed last year.  I sketched the outline of the otter and got out an old pot of gesso that had gone lumpy, then went into the garden and picked up a few grasses, moss sprouts and pine needles and set to work laying them out onto the canvas with dollops of gesso.  It is very thick in places so will take a while to dry.  I am not even sure the grasses will stick with the gesso or if I will need some glue.



Tuesday 14 February 2012

CHEETAH PAINTING IN STAGES
Finished
Sun 19th Feb. In the final stage it came together quite quickly.
Pastels on velour. 31cm x 24cm.
For sale
 
Cheetah phase 3
 Sat 18th Feb, a little more done on the fur detail.  Quite a way to go yet but I'm still happy with the progress.

Cheetah phase 2.
This weekend (11th & 12th Feb), I managed to do some more.  Building up under-shades and colour depth and starting on the fur detail.  It is a long, painstaking job drawing in almost every hair but I am quite pleased with the way it is coming together.
I was horrified to find that one of my cats had scratched it.  He is very young and enthusiastic and climbs on everything, including my easel!!  However, the velour surface is quite forgiving and I managed to rescue it.  The scratches wont be visible when it's finished.

Cheetah phase 1.
I started this painting on 5th February.  I found a superb photo by Gary Jones and decided to try painting it.  I am using one of my favourite mediums, Pastels.  I have three sets of pastels by different manufacturers:
Derwent pastel pencils
Faber Castel pastel sticks
Inscribe pastel sticks
I am painting onto Clairfontaine Velour, specially designed for pastels.
I used it once before to paint a young lioness and loved the way it holds the pastel and allows a lot of detail to be built up in layers.  It is especially good for long fur.


I like to start with the eyes because they are the most important part.  If they go wrong I have to start again so no point doing too much of anything else!

INTRODUCTION

Hi and welcome to my new blog.  I have never done this before so all is completely new.  I will welcome any tips.

My name is Eunice Knott and I love to paint and draw.  My favourite subjects are animals, landscapes and seascapes.  I am a predominantly self-taught artist and am learning all the time and enjoying every new experience and media.  I wish I had more time to try new stuff and experiment with styles.


I want to use this blog to show my work as it progresses through the stages of development through to each finished piece.  Not all ideas work out but it is how I and many other artists learn.


All of my most recent work can be seen on my website: Eunice Knott - Artist