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Sunday, November 26, 2017

THE BABE

Here's one of the baby barn swallows on his first day of flying lessons, taking a breather on the floor.  I took this while lying on my belly about 10 feet from him.

Drawing and notes on composition and format.

Getting some local color in the feathers - quin. burnt orange, phthalo blue and indanthrone.

This image belongs before the one above, but blogger wouldn't let me re-arrange them.  I started with the eyes and some of the darker feathers.

More feathering, and a thin grey wash to start the background, so I have an idea of how dark to go with the swallow.

Still more work on feathers, and some hay bits around his feet.

Almost done ...

THE BABE
14 x 11 in./ 36 x 28 cm. framable
$275.00 US

I love having swallows in the barn ... hearing them chatter away, watching their antics. Dad arrives first in late April, checking to see if the nest is still available. Then Mom comes along a day or two later, and the two of them discus the nest, and re-decorate. The nestlings appear a few weeks later, and stay in the nest for two weeks till the parents start encouraging them to fly. Then they all stay in the nest and nearby rafters for a few weeks. And quite often there is a second batch of babies.
I suppose I could paint something more topical and angst-y, but my heart would not be in it. The world could be a hard, cruel and demanding place, and I do see it and feel it [and have nightmares about it], but I just cannot create art based on discordant harshness.

Thank you so much for dropping by!

6 comments:

  1. How beautiful! Swallows are such exquisite birds♥

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  2. What a sweetie! I so agree with you about creating art, I stay away from too much harshness in the world, and certainly would not paint about that. Have a great week!

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  3. What a wonderful model you had - I could just see you on your tummy in the hay, trying not to sneeze and scare him away and getting that shot :) Very nicely done with the painting, I like the looseness of the background = it's all about him :)

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  4. Dear Kathryn - how adorable. I am glad you paint things that make my heart happy. I am with you so much better to focus on the sweetness of life instead of the harshness. Give Bruno and Maggie a hug for me.

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  5. I commented before but Google kept throwing me off so I'm going to try again..�� I love this little bird Kathryn...the colors and texture is wonderful!!!!

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  6. they are great birds to have around, unless they start dive bombing people's heads :p

    you have capture the shine of the feathers perfectly :)

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