Fall scene

8x8 oil

Pulled this from the "when I"m a better artist' box. 
 Can't say I am all that happy with the turn out.  But I post the good with the bad.  How else can I call it a journey if I just blog the stuff I am happy with.  It gives me reason explore and paint the next attempt with a do and don't list.
 Leafs and other foliage are a challenge.
Looks much better in person as the pink and mauve highlights got lost in photoing.  But I'm painting and having fun.

Here Little fishy

5x7 oil on hardboard

Another zoo photo.   Lots of fun as I loved painting the bright colors.  Never painted a fish before.  Though once an artist figures out that painting is all shapes and values its not all that hard.  I'm finally getting some of this down.

Young Herd Sire

OIl  5x7 Harboard

The trip to the zoo was so inspiring!  I couldn't help but paint this fellow!   I had to use three or four photos to get this right.  He was standing at such an odd angle to the camera that not all of him would fit so I had to move around the enclosure to get clear shots of him.  I ended fudging a bit here and there, but still a bit thrilled that it worked out.
The second photo shows the painting at the 'almost finished stage.'  Usually I work the background at the same time but this was an experiment to see just how the values and hues change when placed  next to different colors.  The idea came from a canvas that I primed with left over mix of paint that was a deep red. (Waste not want not right?)  Normally I use a magenta/orange wipe so it was kinda of odd to paint on this.  There really is difference how the eye perceives the colors isn't there?    I did add a touch of the finish background and had to deepen some of the shadow values to him so the colors would be harmonious. Though most of the elephant's coloring is untouched.

Kidding About

Oil 8x10 canvas

The reference came from a Wet Canvas Week End Challenge that I hosted last year.  I was to chicken to do this and watched as others did a mighty fine job of it.  Put it in my "Someday, when I am a better artist box."  Yesterday was someday.   :D  Wish I had a better shot of this, but paintings don't photograph well in the studio.  To much glare.