GEESE - A PROCESS, OR WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FO THE GANDER

Goose and Gander
39 x 24 cm.
15 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.
A gift for a serious goose-lover

My drawing, with all my scribbled notes, most of which have nothing to do with the drawing.

I masked the geese, and did at least 8 gradated washes of permanent rose, phthalo. blue  and indanthrone. Then started on their bodies with wet-in-wet washes of pink and quin. sienna. The feet and bills were painted with quin. sienna, and shadowed with sienna, quin. violet and indanthrone.

Gradually built up the shadows with phthalo. blue and quin. sienna ...

... a few touches of orange and blue, and done.

I painted this as a birthday gift for a friend. She loves geese - says they remind her of her first husband! [One of my brothers-in-law always reminded me of a duck, but that's another story.] When I showed her the finished work, she burst out laughing - she loved them, and found them so silly-looking. As long as I can bring some joy to someone with my art, I am happy.
I'd like to mention that I tried a new [to me] paper - Stonehenge rough 140 lb. I quite like it. It stands up to masking and multiple washes well, and all the other rough treatment I give.

Thank you for dropping by to visit the geese!

Things Have Become a Bit Darker for Our Feathered Friends ... Geese Painting Continues

I washed on some more indanthrone, and later a black mixture on the left side. Then I started playing with the geese - eyes, more shadowing ... The tree got some detail work, too.

This photo looks somewhat washed out compared to the painting, but here it is.  So far, I think it's all right, but the geese desperately look as if they need something more on which to park their feet. I'm still working on a story for them.

Thank you for dropping by!

The Geese Are Taking Off ...

The feet are there, and I am slowly giving form and depth to their bodies. The colors are quin. burnt orange, quin. coral, a lavender, cobalt blue and brown madder. I'm using warm, less intense colors to keep them light and fluffy.

I've darkened the inside of the shed ...

... and added a bit of a ground, which I'll touch up later. Apologies - the colors are brighter in the original. I think the dark blues and bright oranges are vying for the edit function's  attention.

Thank you for dropping by. Your comments are always welcome.