Having joined the small group on Facebook headed by Gerard Hendriks and Robin Berry, the latest subject is a Mandarin Duck. This is a really colourful bird and makes for a very colour conscious painting. I would have liked it to be a little looser!
12" x 9" Fontenay 140lb (300gsm) Not
The Mandarin Duck is such a striking bird that my colourist instincts were given full reign. The orange colours are mainly Schminke Translucent Orange (PO71). The blues are Cerulean, Ultramarine and Cobalt. There is both Raw and Burnt Umber, some Raw Sienna and Ivory Black (Maimeri).. I first masked parts of the bird where it appeared white - mostly just narrow lines - using Pebeo Drawing Gum applied with an SAA ruling pen.
The initial drawing with masking fluid applied.
The next subject - one a week - is the Caribbean Flamingo. This will be a test as they are mostly pink and white.
The great thing is that we are painting - about eight at the moment - the same subject, although not with the same reference. One of the things that constantly vexes me is to wonder how artists like Charles Reid and Gerard Hendriks would tackle the painting I happen to be working on? In the case of Gerard and Robin I can now see. This is great.
The great thing is that we are painting - about eight at the moment - the same subject, although not with the same reference. One of the things that constantly vexes me is to wonder how artists like Charles Reid and Gerard Hendriks would tackle the painting I happen to be working on? In the case of Gerard and Robin I can now see. This is great.