Just the Beginning ...

My reference photo, taken two years ago

The sketch

First wash - I painted a wet-in-wet wash over the entire paper, and then did some gentle lifting on the geese.

I would like to create a soft, nebulous background for this, so I am using three colors here - quin. burnt orange, permanent rose and cobalt blue - applying them in a scrumbled manner.

I have always enjoyed Greek mythology and ancient history, so I think this idea was simmering in my head before I realized it. I wanted to create more paintings of geese, so I was going through my reference photos, and this one leapt out at me, along with the title. I am calling it "The Three Muses". They are Aglaea, Euphrosyne and Thalia, minor goddesses who celebrate the beauty, joy and richness of life.
To be continued ...

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

News from the World of Goose, and a Few Starts on Krystie ...

I left the flock here ...

Today, I went over the background with an alizarin crimson wash, followed by an indanthrone blue one. 

Then I went over the background geese with the dark blue ...

... and darkened their eyes and bills, and put a bit of direct shadow on the foreground geese's legs.  I apologize for the changing colors of the photos. These I have posted are the closest I can get with the iPhoto application.

... I like this one 

I call this "the look of love".

I'm not sure about this one. It needs more work.  K. looks almost sulky here.  And Bruno the critic was here ... I took my sketchbook out to the field yesterday evening to work, as it was so muggy inside, and the Big Guy was mouthing the paper. We're getting a mild heat wave in B.C.

I thank you for dropping by, and your comments are always welcome!