The "Take the Bull by the Horns" Technique of Painting Leaves

Where I left off ...

Some direct painting of leaf shadows

One version of Trigger. I almost always use a grid for portraits. Then I take my time to go over it, and make sure it is accurate and has life.

I'd like to do a profile, too.

I'm still struggling with trying to paint what I think would be credible leaves. I took a lot of leaf photos yesterday, and will practice ... practice ... practice.
Drove into Vancouver to visit my sister, Steph, and the family. All were home, and that doesn't happen often. I even met my nephew's girlfriend - delightful and bright - going to Birmingham, UK to study medicine in the fall. I also took along the dreaded Burrard Bridge painting, for a final approval. John liked it, and I will have it framed as soon as he sends me the dimensions of the area in which it will hang. And I took home a bonus. Steph had just made some of her yummy potato salad!!! I dropped some off at my aunt's on the way home - she lives a few blocks from Steph. And then it was back to the farm.

As always, your comments are most welcome! 

I Can't Believe I've Been Working on a Sketch of Geese for the Last Two Hours

All evening, I have been playing with composition, format, and then refining the sketch. I think this will do. It will probably be about 9 x 14 inches when finished. I'm keen to start as I have some interesting ideas I'd like to try for the background.
I also spent 2 hours in the rain this afternoon, removing the old electric wire from His Highness's paddock, then trimming any interfering branches, and finally re-wiring the entire area. It seems to be working, as His Nibs was making his dragon-breathing sounds when I went out to feed him dinner. I don't like electric fencing, but I like even less the damage horses can do if left to their own devices.
That's it for tonight. I'm working in the office tomorrow, and quite looking forward to the change.

Once Again, with Feeling ...

You've met Maddy before

Better photo for neck

New sketch

Thin glaze of quin. burnt orange

Some quin, pink on her face, some blue-black on her muzzle, and a lot of scumbling on her neck

Still more scrumbling


Round 2 with Maddy. I'm using the same photo for her face; the eye is sweeter.  But I have a better view of her neck in the 2nd photo.  Also, I tried, in the 1st painting,  to get texture and the effect of dappling by applying thin paint with the tip of a bristle-type brush, but it looked too contrived. There is no short cut. I must use a relatively thin pigment mixture, apply it to a "controllable" area [that is, one that I can manipulate before it gets too dry], and scrumble it with a flat brush;  time-consuming, but gives the best look.
She is at the stage where she looks NOTHING like a horse. but I do like the areas on which I have worked.
Again, all comments are most welcome!

Before I Hit the Proverbial Sack ...

I think the was the last version posted ... 

I've done a lot of darkening. It still needs a bit more, as well as some judicious lifting in the fur.

A new sketch I am working on, of a beautiful mare called "Madelaine".
And yes, I am very keen to paint her!

Unbelievably, the dwarf sweet peas are still valiantly blooming!
I took this photo this morning.