tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89113897024990688562024-03-18T09:03:32.456-07:00Besse ArtA peek inside Linda's creative process.Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.comBlogger978125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-64266290674621730602024-03-18T09:03:00.000-07:002024-03-18T09:03:00.254-07:00The Big Test<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">After all the hours painting the background, will the horse work? Can I pull off enough interest in him that he is not overshadowed by the landscape?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If these seem like questions which should be answered before beginning, sometimes on a challenging piece when you are taking a risk, painting something new or outside your comfort zone, you just don't know if the painting will say what you are trying to communicate until you paint it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My current palette is a-jumble with colors, hardly a spot to spare. I put it aside and grab a fresh palette pack for mixing the colors of the horse. I use disposable palette sheets and in a situation like this will keep the first sheet handy so I can easily go back to its colors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like usual I start with the animal's eyes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1hzmG8smcnwCYVAy1TajsixblFh-tLI-zdQAKW6tdinwKUPde8DhuI5sfz5mqfjBG-AkR7L6URNWHEHIN1ihVqPxXXYaIpRkcvkGm9ZKCE_N-Dby6nQo_aBnXogcWU8UpZ8F7sxx-GIhDM6wRjqSkZFWWZqjyBUsDLfAdzy5FOLCf0J6GkOG8mEjYpdj/s2400/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-9-mod2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="2400" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1hzmG8smcnwCYVAy1TajsixblFh-tLI-zdQAKW6tdinwKUPde8DhuI5sfz5mqfjBG-AkR7L6URNWHEHIN1ihVqPxXXYaIpRkcvkGm9ZKCE_N-Dby6nQo_aBnXogcWU8UpZ8F7sxx-GIhDM6wRjqSkZFWWZqjyBUsDLfAdzy5FOLCf0J6GkOG8mEjYpdj/w400-h301/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-9-mod2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBoGNWAeHVdDdGBNBf6sKeqSgv5GViphI7UqXrKURJiltF-MT2BvEM3UifxCaFbqxXznhuS6TfLxi1qQXIbgA4KwmV9Pjp98ORCvp6_CKJx6CwAiuFPF1RwgGbW6zQEMQ5Z4f24J4ExYDbNHClp2FyDqOwrp1x1X981Gf-Pmf365MxWcpOY7e2px0orH4/s2400/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-10-mod2-bright-red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="2400" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBoGNWAeHVdDdGBNBf6sKeqSgv5GViphI7UqXrKURJiltF-MT2BvEM3UifxCaFbqxXznhuS6TfLxi1qQXIbgA4KwmV9Pjp98ORCvp6_CKJx6CwAiuFPF1RwgGbW6zQEMQ5Z4f24J4ExYDbNHClp2FyDqOwrp1x1X981Gf-Pmf365MxWcpOY7e2px0orH4/w400-h301/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-10-mod2-bright-red.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now that the "face" is painted, I am feeling more confident that this horse was a good choice for the painting. I think his star quality will carry the painting.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-24106611131810192772024-03-16T16:35:00.000-07:002024-03-16T16:35:00.136-07:00Blocking in the foreground<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX57oEkuv68cInLnVuATLAXFZ_Y_ISF35uZDIZZSdByEHoytU_Xe_K8baMpClC2pCIerz-LxlFId_stoOHtLo4fekFUkY4DF2yLBPw7YAOrNxQh06JXBaq8T470nAwTXALjoJDRgn2q8fEB_61He8VX9_xUU5Jufv6N0soVBV5ICqHoNo_4q0wflhnCght/s3131/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-8-mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="3131" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX57oEkuv68cInLnVuATLAXFZ_Y_ISF35uZDIZZSdByEHoytU_Xe_K8baMpClC2pCIerz-LxlFId_stoOHtLo4fekFUkY4DF2yLBPw7YAOrNxQh06JXBaq8T470nAwTXALjoJDRgn2q8fEB_61He8VX9_xUU5Jufv6N0soVBV5ICqHoNo_4q0wflhnCght/w400-h266/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-8-mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The lowest section of the painting is blocked in waiting for the completion of the horse. I knew I wanted a rich blue for the very bottom. It gives a feeling of a near shadow and is a darker version of the blue shadow under the rightmost cliffs. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As for the the lighter lower section, my first go was too pink/peach. After I added some raw sienna and golden earth ochre the section was too dark. I lightened it with broad strokes giving a textured look to this base layer.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Once the horse is done, I'll add some detailed flowers and other vegetation in both the lighter tan and the dark blue section to finish the painting. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-41626102563337175242024-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:002024-03-14T11:50:09.439-07:00More Greenery<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fU5i0eTZt-VfSGfid7kf7o9gHhY60w3V_96aiRDbbuNiAD6YyvDepxi24mAOVQI63jW-bqJ7bu1-j9LREyOT0dRMIJVdRnTgei_TsOEIK-kO1xktbsjngSf27hZ2dWPNFznRu6tKImKhyNk-eRPovGWrujQPIry1-eOktZEkOFn32dJZ2i_nOSYrVBLn/s3186/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-7-crop-mod-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="3186" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fU5i0eTZt-VfSGfid7kf7o9gHhY60w3V_96aiRDbbuNiAD6YyvDepxi24mAOVQI63jW-bqJ7bu1-j9LREyOT0dRMIJVdRnTgei_TsOEIK-kO1xktbsjngSf27hZ2dWPNFznRu6tKImKhyNk-eRPovGWrujQPIry1-eOktZEkOFn32dJZ2i_nOSYrVBLn/w400-h266/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-7-crop-mod-bright.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've blocked in the warmer greens. Right now they are just shapes suggesting the bushes. I'll refine them some before moving to the ground underneath the horse, but this is also an area I will want to revisit even after the horse is painted.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is a lot of complexity to the landscape so the horse needs to holds his own so he is not overshadowed by his surroundings. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-45781165580703408452024-03-12T00:27:00.000-07:002024-03-12T05:39:38.632-07:00Seeing the Whole Picture<div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSk_REuU1SX3Yzobvfp6bCdBwieUOQ11fKFvYDSjXFWzrvHcglQh4So_reBXWHpST3O2ZHMIXVPFECc6WC48DCs2HPe1ZzLinZ71VCzB16iG-iS5yCCGk1Djq1-4GxlItJvH97K2HkFhKYolL9531qhs3Dk3bJxQe7W0lKMVnJnZ1FC3ru9cAk9v4G92k/s3221/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-5-crop-mod4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="3221" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSk_REuU1SX3Yzobvfp6bCdBwieUOQ11fKFvYDSjXFWzrvHcglQh4So_reBXWHpST3O2ZHMIXVPFECc6WC48DCs2HPe1ZzLinZ71VCzB16iG-iS5yCCGk1Djq1-4GxlItJvH97K2HkFhKYolL9531qhs3Dk3bJxQe7W0lKMVnJnZ1FC3ru9cAk9v4G92k/w400-h261/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-5-crop-mod4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> When I paint I use a horizontal board attached by spring clamps to vertical boards. The vertical boards are screwed to my easel frame. The horizontal board has an ergonomic slant and I rest my hand on it to paint. This is particularly useful when I am working in the middle of an oil painting and there is wet paint around that section.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> A disadvantage of this technique comes in to play on large paintings. The vertical boards are about 2.5" wide and on a painting which is 36" wide obscure part of the painting on either end. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> To work on this part of the background I removed the horizontal board and the vertical boards so I can see the entire piece at one time. Until most of the background is complete and I am ready to start on the horse I won't reattach the boards. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzKUOBrBkDL6WX8YI74LjAJ2B9FnaDaGFishSGEYFIy58wsXZz_UhwFMFxNqgCYYt-U86Nthz8MNxkN-H5-UizfbFi4a-31UT5wp-rwJxznUPfeX2xvoFBKojsfv9ajQvzw9yXo_r57q_N9_arQ2Y0sJ8S8GQm4PnDPHqFIWruLIxOPfginxf9Q3WFGVI/s3139/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-6-crop-mod4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="3139" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzKUOBrBkDL6WX8YI74LjAJ2B9FnaDaGFishSGEYFIy58wsXZz_UhwFMFxNqgCYYt-U86Nthz8MNxkN-H5-UizfbFi4a-31UT5wp-rwJxznUPfeX2xvoFBKojsfv9ajQvzw9yXo_r57q_N9_arQ2Y0sJ8S8GQm4PnDPHqFIWruLIxOPfginxf9Q3WFGVI/w400-h276/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-6-crop-mod4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> There are so many non-horizontal lines in the background hills and rock cliffs that I wanted to have a steadying horizontal on the right side in the valley's dried grasses.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-30955702674325788992024-03-08T21:53:00.000-08:002024-03-08T22:01:19.307-08:00Keeping it Cool<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">At this stage I'm still keeping the background cool. As I paint more in to the foreground, the colors will be mixed warmer. It is tempting to move warmer too soon, but if I want to maximize the depth of the landscape I am erring on the cooler side. Paint can be added later if I think certain sections need a tad more warmth.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXO-N8vaw997-Nx6TXcib_ESYx2coVGoLyUJr3WAUN8d1TIHukGXyWuGyMmrstdDIpo86o_1dPUGgnuEONeCndwUApKWTQfxYNVIT4LYsSpsAqWppg0rD7V86wo5NE4MJZK2pxzg2mKuZisOC3jl0nGTmxQ5-kYwJHS980POClJB7i1aUjILSDYHIDh0j/s2893/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-4-mod2-crop-warmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="2893" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXO-N8vaw997-Nx6TXcib_ESYx2coVGoLyUJr3WAUN8d1TIHukGXyWuGyMmrstdDIpo86o_1dPUGgnuEONeCndwUApKWTQfxYNVIT4LYsSpsAqWppg0rD7V86wo5NE4MJZK2pxzg2mKuZisOC3jl0nGTmxQ5-kYwJHS980POClJB7i1aUjILSDYHIDh0j/w400-h255/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-4-mod2-crop-warmer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-2690782333699048552024-03-05T18:44:00.000-08:002024-03-06T05:45:57.300-08:00Background or no background?<p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> A</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">landscape painter focuses on the setting of his painting, working to grab the viewer's attention to the scene he has created.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> For the most part I am a wildlife painter. My main focus is to represent the animals I have seen in the wild. But, how best to do that? I have noticed a trend in recent years in which artists will use an abstract background for a wildlife painting. Many pieces are quite creative and have a modern feel. </span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> I have used a simple mix of colors background in a few wildlife paintings, however I gravitate to keeping the animal in the natural world. I believe the habitat is part of the animal's story. Then, how does one create the dynamic between the landscape and the subject? Which is the star and which the supporting character? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> In this next painting I wanted to paint the dramatic landscape of the Pryor Mountains where the wild Pryor Mountain horses roam. I still want the main focus on the horse. So, I needed a horse which could "hold his own" in the scene, an A-list actor with enough charisma you can't take your eyes off him. Fortunately, I had several contenders from the wild herd I saw. I hope you will think I cast the correct star.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Below is the start of the landscape. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The painting is 24" X 36" <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5ZVE8VPaIZKgOcHPWv01ui-fi9MA2ngrmhM5oIIBGl0FcA_YirKbDjBOiWmkrOQ7JN_7bhB3gZ0s3ADz3_LEO2TZR1yZ4NNrRClIB7OInREt5urv1vtDVI8oEEZVIWt17XIaxWS9vEOpD4PR7GYfczpVBnOIl6vBJO3pWfLBbK7prJUbSFXdgB4_us6a/s2998/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2998" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5ZVE8VPaIZKgOcHPWv01ui-fi9MA2ngrmhM5oIIBGl0FcA_YirKbDjBOiWmkrOQ7JN_7bhB3gZ0s3ADz3_LEO2TZR1yZ4NNrRClIB7OInREt5urv1vtDVI8oEEZVIWt17XIaxWS9vEOpD4PR7GYfczpVBnOIl6vBJO3pWfLBbK7prJUbSFXdgB4_us6a/w400-h266/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71yA3N4JOgL-ryVR75Ex5MgMvSUWyc2x_qdV91CQpW2YbRQWp1yX0AIfAHjQ47LrmVEt2qgJ4OystmZ9uAxuoWLo2izPMqelC1jtYJf5vyjiuctWMsDBGZEAYtlo6G4pNyNXJExgrSEUQcTFDeAqvdQId5y1mGY2-g5xEUCKn78McUEtYA9ZYyb9ZmYPP/s2944/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-3-mod-dk-less%20contrast-less%20v.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="2944" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71yA3N4JOgL-ryVR75Ex5MgMvSUWyc2x_qdV91CQpW2YbRQWp1yX0AIfAHjQ47LrmVEt2qgJ4OystmZ9uAxuoWLo2izPMqelC1jtYJf5vyjiuctWMsDBGZEAYtlo6G4pNyNXJExgrSEUQcTFDeAqvdQId5y1mGY2-g5xEUCKn78McUEtYA9ZYyb9ZmYPP/w400-h264/Pryor%20Mt%20landscape%20in%20progress%20-3-mod-dk-less%20contrast-less%20v.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-35804895871616608652024-02-23T13:24:00.000-08:002024-02-23T13:24:00.144-08:00Finished<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR0CCpbHvxf4RZZuB-l0WMP3AbEJDCQ1Y1cUSQyOYT7dSvy4jGeOMbSB6lYhPItlpdorGqLCcaRKjrnY-Pxwu2jZJcx6CjsX818xVPQjfvElHvjNvK4XbrphwO-21pLh6nFcOYyhCLR19-nIn5yKHtl_EmUWF4KzjkfMkk9lOUytQhsQEOVxYN38vptF1/s2275/Sea%20Lyin%20-%20scan%202%20-%20dark-crop-mod-copyright-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2275" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR0CCpbHvxf4RZZuB-l0WMP3AbEJDCQ1Y1cUSQyOYT7dSvy4jGeOMbSB6lYhPItlpdorGqLCcaRKjrnY-Pxwu2jZJcx6CjsX818xVPQjfvElHvjNvK4XbrphwO-21pLh6nFcOYyhCLR19-nIn5yKHtl_EmUWF4KzjkfMkk9lOUytQhsQEOVxYN38vptF1/w316-h400/Sea%20Lyin%20-%20scan%202%20-%20dark-crop-mod-copyright-bright.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Sea Lyin'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Original Oil by Linda Besse</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">14" X 11" </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-51614922001389482042024-02-21T13:13:00.000-08:002024-02-21T13:13:00.128-08:00Starting the Stellar sea lions<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkyUMNVbaJ087FuK4CLU_6Of_WtDd1xRmVyXHsbKSgmxnR50YiO7RPkFwayxSYO6aD7y_NnucpUOrusH6-pzRxefEOCMGJFvxXLYwIzce7aymNyO4Y-9b3EC2UmHDyCHkriCNF2VlkE6yumSBvvfkLxLLDMbsEqjN4XUErWb79xoG0s0tXMgF2PZWC58T/s4200/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%204-resize.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4200" data-original-width="3338" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkyUMNVbaJ087FuK4CLU_6Of_WtDd1xRmVyXHsbKSgmxnR50YiO7RPkFwayxSYO6aD7y_NnucpUOrusH6-pzRxefEOCMGJFvxXLYwIzce7aymNyO4Y-9b3EC2UmHDyCHkriCNF2VlkE6yumSBvvfkLxLLDMbsEqjN4XUErWb79xoG0s0tXMgF2PZWC58T/w318-h400/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%204-resize.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-size: medium;">The sea lions on all sides of the buoy enhance the three dimensional feeling of the painting.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-61260437813719641982024-02-19T13:04:00.000-08:002024-02-19T13:04:00.141-08:00The Buoy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPqLHds-EefQ0HbCBoQ-QNntN5Q_UZjL88vr3kNKbel7BPF8GzmHS8wkbkubYHTDLZCGvZvObtwpcI6Uc3wh4OwMIcRBkkKMMBpNED33doJcleXZRIDH2Ks0i6EVwpAH0dB8q2nNMPm-ujar6wYs6otMJVUTsCR0Rbric1Z-4lhftPJSi3Ukf9ORdsrIy/s3135/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%202-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3135" data-original-width="2485" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPqLHds-EefQ0HbCBoQ-QNntN5Q_UZjL88vr3kNKbel7BPF8GzmHS8wkbkubYHTDLZCGvZvObtwpcI6Uc3wh4OwMIcRBkkKMMBpNED33doJcleXZRIDH2Ks0i6EVwpAH0dB8q2nNMPm-ujar6wYs6otMJVUTsCR0Rbric1Z-4lhftPJSi3Ukf9ORdsrIy/w318-h400/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%202-mod.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The greens on this buoy seemed particularly bright on this gray day. Some areas were more turquoise, some emerald green, and some a warm green. And, when rust came in to play, there were a lot of colors involved.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdziwmyDSgzhyJMUK4TaaLTxINU9wcQVS-Rk7iLrVexmi4nEfWhEphlgD_pXDlgDV4cbLEkPkWEajmtdQdeE2K8R4gvCOSd5sueUoPkHdAWnYFti5dYr-RDPC9C21BXBjKpYUG5VTMy3xr_bnfGhiPuPdOWtSVtEAqXP7c7WzcpYYjRbrroyu_5v6EWeEB/s4200/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%203-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4200" data-original-width="3294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdziwmyDSgzhyJMUK4TaaLTxINU9wcQVS-Rk7iLrVexmi4nEfWhEphlgD_pXDlgDV4cbLEkPkWEajmtdQdeE2K8R4gvCOSd5sueUoPkHdAWnYFti5dYr-RDPC9C21BXBjKpYUG5VTMy3xr_bnfGhiPuPdOWtSVtEAqXP7c7WzcpYYjRbrroyu_5v6EWeEB/w314-h400/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%203-mod.jpg" width="314" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> In addition to completing the buoy, I have also added some blue to the foreground water.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-87723072379093647332024-02-16T13:04:00.000-08:002024-02-17T05:05:32.637-08:00Stellar sea lions<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">While on whale watching trips out of Juneau and Icy Strait Point we spotted Stellar sea lions. I was fascinated by the interaction of the sea lions permitted to take their respite on a buoy and those who had to wait their turn. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The trip out of Juneau on a small guided boat in rough water with just six passengers was the more exciting of the trips for the camera. I wedged myself in to one corner of the open air stern so I could hold on to my camera with both hands. Often it was too rough to photograph so I lowered the camera and watched the sea lions, memorizing the colors and feel of the scene.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSREejCSfTSDj7AWTyifsD70vFfgzBzQBIK_Z7gPmejRAuVBhwjqpeuhJxbLIt_jX8qEVUVIO3doY8FWdJ2xje0JQS6hACBgh7IC3f6Bzc-5cXTZRCJqB4FGfTm2s2nRAapARFbtkbRoDY63nhXIpL885MnYi6MFytrIz2TDR6xtTsZMm7cb3_ktNVW8Gt/s2942/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%201-mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="2413" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSREejCSfTSDj7AWTyifsD70vFfgzBzQBIK_Z7gPmejRAuVBhwjqpeuhJxbLIt_jX8qEVUVIO3doY8FWdJ2xje0JQS6hACBgh7IC3f6Bzc-5cXTZRCJqB4FGfTm2s2nRAapARFbtkbRoDY63nhXIpL885MnYi6MFytrIz2TDR6xtTsZMm7cb3_ktNVW8Gt/w328-h400/stellar%20sea%20lions%20in%20progress%20-%201-mod.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I started the painting with the sky and mountains then worked my way down through the water. The foreground water is just roughed in at this point.<br /></span></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-28209585609271432832024-01-11T12:15:00.000-08:002024-01-11T12:20:08.533-08:00Finished<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z0Ktp8kCZd6yN0krbdNSXah6aThqumgwzZu0i49ZXbRuxMD1mTj3mZ4cZo8Ey0vpqnzku9vF0fje3SWde_4Y8J-pQPgPtFWfLWOY8x7IV7_01WvIIENdUFkLHdcGT-CvD2r4OeZootnqK3ETSVVaMJEamTqTUxTVMRT5ifzgFvhfska5PZHEvWEX6qSJ/s3000/polar%20bear%20by%20ice%20-%20phone%20photo-%20mod3-copyright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3000" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z0Ktp8kCZd6yN0krbdNSXah6aThqumgwzZu0i49ZXbRuxMD1mTj3mZ4cZo8Ey0vpqnzku9vF0fje3SWde_4Y8J-pQPgPtFWfLWOY8x7IV7_01WvIIENdUFkLHdcGT-CvD2r4OeZootnqK3ETSVVaMJEamTqTUxTVMRT5ifzgFvhfska5PZHEvWEX6qSJ/w400-h301/polar%20bear%20by%20ice%20-%20phone%20photo-%20mod3-copyright.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Glace' Seal-ing</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">18" X 24"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Original Oil </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fur-ing out the polar bear took some time. While I had the direction of the fur established, there was so much more to creating the depth. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A polar bear's skin is black and his fur is hollow.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have spent time on the ground with polar bears in remote camps north of Churchill, Manitoba. It is amazing that though there is no pigment to their fur, when they are in sunlight their fur has a beautiful and striking golden glow. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The above image is from my phone. It will be a while before the painting is dry enough to scan. Scanning always yields a more accurate representation of the original. In a couple of weeks, you can check out my web site to see the scanned painting. www.BesseArt.com (See originals, large paintings - mammals)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-80949573756320354102024-01-05T11:11:00.000-08:002024-01-05T11:11:37.585-08:00Polar Bear<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKC4zeH3W8SKUVrLvMJM1lV398hoWhxT_Jt2Y8rZUi-x_Doyn2m0Tsm5fJeO-NMRlx1HKvRzUY2Xy9rJRM2xCtYFUQjHDtgLABxwQlOwn1M9rAUJn8UsHdKZ1H8sKixppmSL8Fo5AgPPZocDoaNFjrYu7BvafsajwOnGUfx2hdo6ha1WHAJNTdgrFMggb/s2665/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%207-mod-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2665" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKC4zeH3W8SKUVrLvMJM1lV398hoWhxT_Jt2Y8rZUi-x_Doyn2m0Tsm5fJeO-NMRlx1HKvRzUY2Xy9rJRM2xCtYFUQjHDtgLABxwQlOwn1M9rAUJn8UsHdKZ1H8sKixppmSL8Fo5AgPPZocDoaNFjrYu7BvafsajwOnGUfx2hdo6ha1WHAJNTdgrFMggb/w400-h303/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%207-mod-bright.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above I've finished the basic fur direction for the polar bear. I use this as a template for my brush strokes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Below you can see I am starting to fill in both the light and shadowed fur.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJBvPy60Wt27g5iiSRMApGmrZwCSoowIvPV6hDoR_TGZIbODBkKxa6yLn_t-70dSe43jwgIWP6PafRDrpROtYTmsYWc7JGOewSYrEv_9aLhLlo6Evwp_BmqsyB05TtZvLfI_iuqTPDoIaozozbO7CCeJZPHFfLVaawGVh6ciVmjM_qJnBlp2-EhgM9TKl/s3646/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%208-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2715" data-original-width="3646" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJBvPy60Wt27g5iiSRMApGmrZwCSoowIvPV6hDoR_TGZIbODBkKxa6yLn_t-70dSe43jwgIWP6PafRDrpROtYTmsYWc7JGOewSYrEv_9aLhLlo6Evwp_BmqsyB05TtZvLfI_iuqTPDoIaozozbO7CCeJZPHFfLVaawGVh6ciVmjM_qJnBlp2-EhgM9TKl/w400-h297/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%208-mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-4903957272993536332023-12-30T16:56:00.000-08:002023-12-30T16:57:35.260-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV0rm_1VO6YKiPWAi3jwBl9oLdOKGPNLi00-P3LOZdDFLwHNdmRlraihEwkaeV1_I3aE0O9KznDCXCAwTMvEzvT7TuUQjnyEJiSV4-5Y0GnE8xCEVgbjViQpnRxARGBfoELnm570UtB9SDTM6mQyd33NccG2Ur18q6tRTR-B8If2U50GTUeY-HQK_AFTW/s2440/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%205-crop-mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2440" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV0rm_1VO6YKiPWAi3jwBl9oLdOKGPNLi00-P3LOZdDFLwHNdmRlraihEwkaeV1_I3aE0O9KznDCXCAwTMvEzvT7TuUQjnyEJiSV4-5Y0GnE8xCEVgbjViQpnRxARGBfoELnm570UtB9SDTM6mQyd33NccG2Ur18q6tRTR-B8If2U50GTUeY-HQK_AFTW/w400-h299/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%205-crop-mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> I like the broken bits of floating ice in the foreground. They break up the reflection of the foot. There are some adjustments I anticipate I'll want to make but will wait until the polar bear is painted. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gEEQG00pLgjYClJ9q1ZSM9MP2FwW-Pl06H6SfCCQ3v5t5hjqmHmZkOr6Nit4EuYXOZCNTTTIlfjLEoHfreDIqy37MShLg4oVJMjTu3m2xFac9GGJ3GkbtZBpNYuJPa7UEh131VtyQlhmF-o63jpSMurOcQz908-s4thMtYE-nrXaExocwjJW9FzBwikx/s2784/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%206-crop-mod2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="2784" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gEEQG00pLgjYClJ9q1ZSM9MP2FwW-Pl06H6SfCCQ3v5t5hjqmHmZkOr6Nit4EuYXOZCNTTTIlfjLEoHfreDIqy37MShLg4oVJMjTu3m2xFac9GGJ3GkbtZBpNYuJPa7UEh131VtyQlhmF-o63jpSMurOcQz908-s4thMtYE-nrXaExocwjJW9FzBwikx/w400-h300/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%206-crop-mod2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> In this stage I am roughing in some of the colors I will use for the polar bear and making my brush strokes in the direction of his fur.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-65921196259168045752023-12-27T17:30:00.000-08:002023-12-27T17:30:00.132-08:00Still needs more work<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC9B2v9D_p8pP3YUwt_S-4W_RtZhuL2tb2isjTNEuauWxkbdctFReiweYGLyMDdg1ksuKLA3iHeD5TnwmcUU_JGDo8QS2dQ0nS7_LfgOcAkg9Yn2u4kdCtpSz7LJ6Xn2lFz94Liy5BaLuE-MHztpyedfyz9wUV9a9opphnh2RGK96xTxJ6nnFMlDC3bmr/s2285/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%204-crop-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1709" data-original-width="2285" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC9B2v9D_p8pP3YUwt_S-4W_RtZhuL2tb2isjTNEuauWxkbdctFReiweYGLyMDdg1ksuKLA3iHeD5TnwmcUU_JGDo8QS2dQ0nS7_LfgOcAkg9Yn2u4kdCtpSz7LJ6Xn2lFz94Liy5BaLuE-MHztpyedfyz9wUV9a9opphnh2RGK96xTxJ6nnFMlDC3bmr/w400-h299/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%204-crop-mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The water reflections are getting closer but after stepping back I don't like the two reflected "hills." My floating bits of ice are not horizontal which needs to be fixed. I also haven't figured out how much of the polar bear's front leg should be reflected. Maybe there should be floating ice to break up his reflection.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Could I have figured all of this out before I started? I am not sure. And, there is something quite organic and beautiful in feeling your way through something new in a painting. I find this especially true when painting water (or frozen bits of it!)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-60444484192593595072023-12-26T15:10:00.000-08:002023-12-26T15:10:00.132-08:00Tackling water and reflections<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">The closer snow is painted. To make it brighter than the distant snow I used a smidgen of cadmium yellow in the titanium white.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On to snow reflections and bits of floating ice.The snow the polar bear is standing on is rather complicated. The problem is how to make the floating ice stand out from the reflected snow bank. Not quite sure how to do that - yet, so I give myself the liberty of trying out some ideas. The joys of working with oil paint.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVavdeGhHs_6EnLQ-r-5SfB6z9ZYMWXyRpURXNSO93eiWaO3uBkpChdfCva2HleB2mb-y85CP8UuGFzAvxi59oY8UrOLLOetB4OUmNElDME1p7PA4-jHxPbFc8JBJSu3Iafmgl_DINQaKmnAX-iuX1ov_-X83f5E5n4pSQCOxngIkbkdZh9jw1SyQeUudP/s2700/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%202-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2700" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVavdeGhHs_6EnLQ-r-5SfB6z9ZYMWXyRpURXNSO93eiWaO3uBkpChdfCva2HleB2mb-y85CP8UuGFzAvxi59oY8UrOLLOetB4OUmNElDME1p7PA4-jHxPbFc8JBJSu3Iafmgl_DINQaKmnAX-iuX1ov_-X83f5E5n4pSQCOxngIkbkdZh9jw1SyQeUudP/w400-h300/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%202-mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">On the left side of the painting I have floating ice chunks in the shadow of the reflected snow. I think these bits work but I can't use this device for the lighter areas of reflected snow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTeAWcmIn1GpD_jMSezI5lrrFUAONW-COXECUXCX-uA2QD4XiamBju7c81gZz1qj2XnEWunNiUl6HUUg3lBV58hfbyr9u1xrlMUsWaJwKLAr6Z6BPWH_J7mOvoNtQPgFftymBHkulYpSATrkHznNNiiefhpEktP_RFoK0uLzf6yHSAS3amQ4Pw628KI4y/s2321/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%203-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="2321" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTeAWcmIn1GpD_jMSezI5lrrFUAONW-COXECUXCX-uA2QD4XiamBju7c81gZz1qj2XnEWunNiUl6HUUg3lBV58hfbyr9u1xrlMUsWaJwKLAr6Z6BPWH_J7mOvoNtQPgFftymBHkulYpSATrkHznNNiiefhpEktP_RFoK0uLzf6yHSAS3amQ4Pw628KI4y/w400-h299/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%203-mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">At this stage I am wondering what I got myself in to. It is a jumble. None of the reflected snow has been softened/blended so it looks especially confusing. I still like the concept so I will continue with the reflected snow and insert some floating ice bits where I think they look good. I knew this section was going to be the most challenging. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-62095090312054858102023-12-21T12:22:00.000-08:002023-12-21T23:52:23.852-08:00Solving Problems<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Just about every artist has had paintings which almost paint themselves. The brush takes over and you are along for the ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Then there are those paintings in which you feel like you are solving problems the whole time. Some of those pieces will never come together but some will be your best because you really pushed yourself.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This next painting I knew was going to be a problem-solving one. I have done a number of polar bear paintings and in each one I have "stretched my brushes." I want this new piece to be brighter than <i>Ice Bear</i> (see below.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-Foh_FoFYVwVyEBTUtD6GzhGt5Ic26IF89vscedDcyk6bLpZSBYetWwLs6mgfBOmBTECgu0w-szVcTcmkmLg12Dqv5S89SYo3IGKgQnkgE3celik5MV6DbHLX6fKj3_JMHHt-LDLc6Ol5my1g40C0rRgJOFMhoK8AfUjA3REPMcxoUrkS_iUYDJDUcAc/s2593/Ice%20Bear%20copyright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="2593" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-Foh_FoFYVwVyEBTUtD6GzhGt5Ic26IF89vscedDcyk6bLpZSBYetWwLs6mgfBOmBTECgu0w-szVcTcmkmLg12Dqv5S89SYo3IGKgQnkgE3celik5MV6DbHLX6fKj3_JMHHt-LDLc6Ol5my1g40C0rRgJOFMhoK8AfUjA3REPMcxoUrkS_iUYDJDUcAc/s320/Ice%20Bear%20copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ice Bear</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Other polar bear paintings I have done have included the northern lights or peach skies. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNRqz40PEfsLCLia8NOw_rh1XUwUXl1YYmaYZ20VlSAdBSzBC8fji-Xw6LVro6hZWaJjdfs1qo6cTZCASku9HKSbAAJkUqVPuRJ0mgIEK23obxBgXhXJi2dkrVX5Rf6n25GViCWNWkHAyJebQcEus8mzMxO7S-xCtvl0o9A53cLyYq4FdcsaPVRO5LSY0/s2966/Arctic%20Fire%20-%20scan-bright-copyright-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="2966" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNRqz40PEfsLCLia8NOw_rh1XUwUXl1YYmaYZ20VlSAdBSzBC8fji-Xw6LVro6hZWaJjdfs1qo6cTZCASku9HKSbAAJkUqVPuRJ0mgIEK23obxBgXhXJi2dkrVX5Rf6n25GViCWNWkHAyJebQcEus8mzMxO7S-xCtvl0o9A53cLyYq4FdcsaPVRO5LSY0/s320/Arctic%20Fire%20-%20scan-bright-copyright-blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Arctic Fire</i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXhvHvyAqAtuV826MLbhI4o1zjnJnHDxKNkDaRocxvmnsKU7oD5ATtueFlHPNcVSxFaVixxvIN3mUwSZ3tkBXb7Cq-76GXPuPJOdz4nw_E5-31CEYlu7wJ58YkZu6tnuGO6MHsE5u0bb5zkslLQ_Z6bdUSO-ufpUsFi1Bvgr0B-W2E1raD2NUw5LPeXrc/s2100/Arctic%20Reflection%20scan-reduced-copyright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="2100" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXhvHvyAqAtuV826MLbhI4o1zjnJnHDxKNkDaRocxvmnsKU7oD5ATtueFlHPNcVSxFaVixxvIN3mUwSZ3tkBXb7Cq-76GXPuPJOdz4nw_E5-31CEYlu7wJ58YkZu6tnuGO6MHsE5u0bb5zkslLQ_Z6bdUSO-ufpUsFi1Bvgr0B-W2E1raD2NUw5LPeXrc/s320/Arctic%20Reflection%20scan-reduced-copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Arctic Reflections</i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In this painting I want bright snow and interesting water reflections. First problem, what color to make the sky. I didn't want powdery blue but neither did I want a really dark sky. Beyond that, there is making the polar bear "winter fat" as I've only been close to wild polar bears in summer and fall in remote northern Manitoba. Then there is the snow and <i>sea</i> ice<i> </i>(which is subtlety different than fresh water ice) and the finesse in creating convincing water reflections of the main mass of snow and the bits of floating ice.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The start</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJI3XoU7gs8XA8UYetAECmT2djt-nGPwhbSoE-5Pbxcn1OR9gPOD44GKlSUh1LnnIQTruacbMNv39p5fOSM-ikxV0VV_GXkZQV4OmtEMReC5uQFxXQ4rg2R6sRGwZ6XzoZARr_7EDYdGrYaQR3EtT55fZbWofGzZp0u8FEOjUyDfGeLc48gO9mPRx4CnQ/s2700/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%201-mod2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="2700" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJI3XoU7gs8XA8UYetAECmT2djt-nGPwhbSoE-5Pbxcn1OR9gPOD44GKlSUh1LnnIQTruacbMNv39p5fOSM-ikxV0VV_GXkZQV4OmtEMReC5uQFxXQ4rg2R6sRGwZ6XzoZARr_7EDYdGrYaQR3EtT55fZbWofGzZp0u8FEOjUyDfGeLc48gO9mPRx4CnQ/w400-h296/polar%20bear%20in%20progress%20-%201-mod2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-69064425437402270812023-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:002023-12-15T14:10:39.198-08:00Finished and scanned<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrmHqtI_sTLNmSGCdoaqb_sLi4r4ccC4OwdIQHOchl50TcuCykN0Cy9q0VJllrnZJrukfGXYyk2VbqVw5IWwx2b-ZYh28mi3WdWJJai1X9GeGAQmYYXzoai0W8N89gANzWS33fs-Q8cys5GnPbBGsG_UZ7Wx0LstrJP26BzhPAYE83Kc6jrfWSpLR9zzz/s2818/Movie%20Star%20scan-copyright-bright-less%20green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrmHqtI_sTLNmSGCdoaqb_sLi4r4ccC4OwdIQHOchl50TcuCykN0Cy9q0VJllrnZJrukfGXYyk2VbqVw5IWwx2b-ZYh28mi3WdWJJai1X9GeGAQmYYXzoai0W8N89gANzWS33fs-Q8cys5GnPbBGsG_UZ7Wx0LstrJP26BzhPAYE83Kc6jrfWSpLR9zzz/w340-h640/Movie%20Star%20scan-copyright-bright-less%20green.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Movie Star</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">26" X 14" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Original oil</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to finishing the giraffe's coat and mane, I added more blues to the far background to keep it further in the distance. To get an even "coat" of cooler tones I glazed on the color.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I started with the idea of using a simplified background to showcase the subject. You can see the background acts as a supporting element and lets the "movie star" shine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And, this is what happens when I see a giraffe in Africa. The surroundings fade in comparison to this striking iconic African animal. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-77395485901972415272023-12-11T19:05:00.000-08:002023-12-11T19:05:00.152-08:00I See Spots<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">I like to paint the spots before I start on the light interstices.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHau6LgVoN6N3liadg8hxgBuq3uGQqogscDj8HOMNsaUF7bTkCV-3R4H9byspEj8kDtBGoLJ3tuM8g6rHwW24OXFZxVw4Np1noVbF4loq3CMlG-Sv1LZSIEQhiIsCnKxW1Go323vdzGnprGFIYRSlwEXIlESbMj56zIq5g3U_LfE0GsBQDVsihNrMsBAx/s3703/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%205-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3703" data-original-width="1977" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHau6LgVoN6N3liadg8hxgBuq3uGQqogscDj8HOMNsaUF7bTkCV-3R4H9byspEj8kDtBGoLJ3tuM8g6rHwW24OXFZxVw4Np1noVbF4loq3CMlG-Sv1LZSIEQhiIsCnKxW1Go323vdzGnprGFIYRSlwEXIlESbMj56zIq5g3U_LfE0GsBQDVsihNrMsBAx/w214-h400/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%205-bright.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbplgVV9QSN8boOyQm0_XFUUJnrVDc7Twm-GWKNfgYgUBy02NhXGIze9tXysAgS2m8RVJeGoxbdTJcpmckTyiC1BuqXKa2IVsKzlePwjsfWBngKHHdZI9owcsn87GxppJhmpdM_mRSLINVcSJY1Po_BKW7zm3_O4E_CUkQMjy8n81rnulR6rS3m4V9nIS/s3145/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%207-crop-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3145" data-original-width="1692" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbplgVV9QSN8boOyQm0_XFUUJnrVDc7Twm-GWKNfgYgUBy02NhXGIze9tXysAgS2m8RVJeGoxbdTJcpmckTyiC1BuqXKa2IVsKzlePwjsfWBngKHHdZI9owcsn87GxppJhmpdM_mRSLINVcSJY1Po_BKW7zm3_O4E_CUkQMjy8n81rnulR6rS3m4V9nIS/w215-h400/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%207-crop-bright.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">You can see I have finished the spots and started on the inside shadow. I got all the way from the upper neck to the bottom of the painting and realized the shadow was too light and needed to be darker and with more color. My next post will show the changes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-4807094948026092472023-12-08T06:05:00.000-08:002023-12-09T07:58:13.235-08:00Trees and bushes<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">One would think a subtle (blurry) background would be easy. I had a lot of trouble with this tree. It had to be in the background but not as much as the hillside. I tried a trunk and it kept drawing my eye which is exactly what I didn't want. After scraping the trunk paint off I thought of just having the left side of the tree showing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The background trees and bushes at the middle bottom also went through a transition. At first the trunks were a darker color but after painting a bluish purple over them and blurring the edges I had something I liked. They form another depth of field between the tree and the hillside. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13hCMyL1isYTaHGDz_XjyKzU_woMxSgguSaXTi6xjuI5WjMd2yqUj1jWpHn8l4oirR-5OvXPE29RtLbsEGmg39tz6tyVd-VFRAei-XyLrSeB30ZEQHPkWngfnsEC5VAoMauRk0ul7SS4YJt4jzX1hSwZ3N_-5FD_oznesk9DVNrSBAtTmwIUc7auIx3Un/s3309/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%204-bright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="1760" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13hCMyL1isYTaHGDz_XjyKzU_woMxSgguSaXTi6xjuI5WjMd2yqUj1jWpHn8l4oirR-5OvXPE29RtLbsEGmg39tz6tyVd-VFRAei-XyLrSeB30ZEQHPkWngfnsEC5VAoMauRk0ul7SS4YJt4jzX1hSwZ3N_-5FD_oznesk9DVNrSBAtTmwIUc7auIx3Un/w213-h400/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%204-bright.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The tree might look like it has a lot of detail. It has the <i>idea</i> of detail. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaJnOJ8VeYf-dDSgxvpeK4qA4WHyVaUpBhmA68h83AAXPdnBb4DQtHVeWkimYnF_oLbDcXe-5oXaHgyp7lUEZe7QglnEuut00lrjeGxDg2noAXtNtMMiT-9Qq3CS9SbxBCmaLraZM-BB2acmRuBM-2cImDYMVdWJNXWRcsHrGND9-64vNPe3NLfvmoVZ8/s3000/Tall%20Giraffe%20tree-mod2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2259" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaJnOJ8VeYf-dDSgxvpeK4qA4WHyVaUpBhmA68h83AAXPdnBb4DQtHVeWkimYnF_oLbDcXe-5oXaHgyp7lUEZe7QglnEuut00lrjeGxDg2noAXtNtMMiT-9Qq3CS9SbxBCmaLraZM-BB2acmRuBM-2cImDYMVdWJNXWRcsHrGND9-64vNPe3NLfvmoVZ8/w301-h400/Tall%20Giraffe%20tree-mod2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">I mixed a number of colors so I had some piles of paint and started with the darkest sections making a framework. Next up were the darker greens and blues, then medium greens, and then the lightest almost mint color was last. There are a lot of passages I would go over making it darker here, lighter there, more color here. Constantly stepping back to look at the painting from a distance and deciding this or that area needs attention was essential.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of the giraffe's head is also painted.<br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-6242658190115882092023-12-06T09:21:00.000-08:002023-12-06T09:21:00.246-08:00Subtle Background<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SDKaBqPNmWjAWNt7GOMYVMUq3TJLqAmsk0E0WoEGO3kaBPi74TfTcEvkCZwTWPrj5TRixG3qPk6soo-hDOaj71rJhCYUQBnDc7MWjLKtlGhN5K7AG7qzReUDL-BPyGm4NImM3gLMs-tczvNCe03VJ9Cv5FbxdEoR4iLijTq5H2c8ysv37GeQQf187mLx/s3000/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%202-bright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="1595" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SDKaBqPNmWjAWNt7GOMYVMUq3TJLqAmsk0E0WoEGO3kaBPi74TfTcEvkCZwTWPrj5TRixG3qPk6soo-hDOaj71rJhCYUQBnDc7MWjLKtlGhN5K7AG7qzReUDL-BPyGm4NImM3gLMs-tczvNCe03VJ9Cv5FbxdEoR4iLijTq5H2c8ysv37GeQQf187mLx/w213-h400/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%202-bright.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I opted for a simple sky so not to distract from the detail in the rest of the painting.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Having the horizon tilted might seem like an odd choice but I felt it was more dynamic with the hill than a static zero degree tilt. In choosing the slant it needs to be balanced by other angles and features, otherwise the entire painting will feel out of kilter. Part of the balance comes from the strong upper right to lower left center line of the giraffe.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The background colors fall in the cool range to contrast with giraffe. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-26300224477675402792023-12-03T09:14:00.000-08:002023-12-03T11:58:56.577-08:00Showcasing with a simple background<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">If you think the last painting I posted had a complicated background, you are correct. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In this next piece I am showcasing the subject with a simplified background but one that does not go all the way to abstract. In almost all my paintings I like a sense of place with my animals. I've seen them in the wild and the background adds to their story.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After I draw my subject I do a light yellow ochre turpentine wash. Not only does this get rid of the blindingly white gessoed board staring at me, but the turpentine wash makes it easier for paint to glide over my gesso.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For this giraffe, I really wanted the spots to glow and lend a depth of color to the oil paint on top. After the first light turpentine wash had dried, I applied a much heavier turpentine wash made up of Rembrandt cadmium orange and Gamblin transparent earth orange. I'm not sure when I bought the Gamblin paint (and don't think I have used it before) but it had a nice effect in the mix. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The right side of the giraffe used more of the Gamblin paint along with touches of Rembrandt's burnt sienna and burnt umber.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2ZBA5f7aZ1xRPRbKu_59EywSI5x0V3MlApHT5ZWp4taxJ4xT7TT-w_FBsY2DviOxYClEpc7x9GZuMkwmzt01i_UC1z-M_K0my1gopfF1EctqkA4dkkdRCiucTXUHi5p3XXm9vnRoxDtDHb_uhCe0QmRvjtiKRMoHs-OZy6m1NAk8TcUEDapFIbkxEtZI/s3783/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%201-crop-v2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3783" data-original-width="2041" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2ZBA5f7aZ1xRPRbKu_59EywSI5x0V3MlApHT5ZWp4taxJ4xT7TT-w_FBsY2DviOxYClEpc7x9GZuMkwmzt01i_UC1z-M_K0my1gopfF1EctqkA4dkkdRCiucTXUHi5p3XXm9vnRoxDtDHb_uhCe0QmRvjtiKRMoHs-OZy6m1NAk8TcUEDapFIbkxEtZI/w216-h400/Tall%20Giraffe%20in%20progress%201-crop-v2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">As you can see, this heavier turnpentine wash mimics how the spots will look. The lighter spots have a lighter colored wash. The time spent creating the spots with the turpentine wash plays well in to the final result.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-91905722175729521242023-11-28T15:34:00.000-08:002023-11-28T22:49:17.195-08:00Finished<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj9q11o00y9vHhGsTbumjbAlPoNVFIRAX_a1YeJQl_wks7fj60Urv4Ll-Vou0XNOkcJxc6vI-1r9jiqYcdn58W4lguj8sv5vD_ch7GOrocpkyXPsLZQwrQbmWv0TIwe2JvOy8c71Gu4A6fcOzjZIpc2cGem8gxESTwB97-3utGVeItw62UHWg0UwRtDh9/s2100/Weather%20Wise%20-%20scan-copyright-less%20green+v.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="2100" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj9q11o00y9vHhGsTbumjbAlPoNVFIRAX_a1YeJQl_wks7fj60Urv4Ll-Vou0XNOkcJxc6vI-1r9jiqYcdn58W4lguj8sv5vD_ch7GOrocpkyXPsLZQwrQbmWv0TIwe2JvOy8c71Gu4A6fcOzjZIpc2cGem8gxESTwB97-3utGVeItw62UHWg0UwRtDh9/w400-h395/Weather%20Wise%20-%20scan-copyright-less%20green+v.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Weather Wise</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">14" X 14"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Original Oil </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above is the scanned painting so it looks a bit different than the in-progress phone photos.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the more tricky aspects was painting the lower part of the owl. I saw him on a branch which was not snow-covered so I needed to make it look like he was part of this snowy scene. His talons would have removed some of the branch's freshly fallen snow and his feathers would land in the snow but not fully remove it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-25229755357660699412023-11-16T08:31:00.000-08:002023-11-16T08:31:00.137-08:00My Snow Reference<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">I thought you might like to see how I went from my snow reference photo to the background of this owl painting. While I didn't save each individual step, this should give you a flavor of how I modify my photos.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My first step was to look through maybe 60 or 70 of my snow photos. Fortunately, living in the woods in eastern Washington gives me many opportunities to step outside and grab some winter shots. I was looking for interesting snow when I hit upon a photo I took January 28, 2008. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvAtxk_zWW2GrpzuOcMPHawQFwD_tUkSs4GIJ1z-k3kp3HaRGLrJT34xPTYLGXdLiGy61HNNFG9qs-Drr3BR5DDHEiBgR4PPAypO4f4aLxSvm04VrnWsih5fI3f5Od7HkkqRNXsLXsOKJTNE1D9hp7_eXAGAA2Mo-eYOCxu4U_qa_Jfm2AQTR5SRUJSTN/s3000/Owl%20-Weather%20Wise%20owl%20bakcground%20100-8255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvAtxk_zWW2GrpzuOcMPHawQFwD_tUkSs4GIJ1z-k3kp3HaRGLrJT34xPTYLGXdLiGy61HNNFG9qs-Drr3BR5DDHEiBgR4PPAypO4f4aLxSvm04VrnWsih5fI3f5Od7HkkqRNXsLXsOKJTNE1D9hp7_eXAGAA2Mo-eYOCxu4U_qa_Jfm2AQTR5SRUJSTN/w400-h266/Owl%20-Weather%20Wise%20owl%20bakcground%20100-8255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo 1. This photo was taken from my living room deck. I just love heavy snow on evergreen trees. This particular photo had potential because it incorporated close up boughs with distant ones. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUnlT-TaVvv0Gb4pTgECMu328MEpZkdo9j6thTZaMxoDAR-CB85rTkV1aFLmbjpw4z7_hAhmx2lK2SPkDJGPjceU6d-QpuFqPSdN_-2g2cPaqWzoSTWjQNVrBy3VAcNExcjZk3VbpKZLWvk-zLCr7ekrSUxr32w7puYQ4quP0CBPJgOTNd8dY_NBtInMg/s3000/snow%20background%20100-8255-bright-low%20contrast-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUnlT-TaVvv0Gb4pTgECMu328MEpZkdo9j6thTZaMxoDAR-CB85rTkV1aFLmbjpw4z7_hAhmx2lK2SPkDJGPjceU6d-QpuFqPSdN_-2g2cPaqWzoSTWjQNVrBy3VAcNExcjZk3VbpKZLWvk-zLCr7ekrSUxr32w7puYQ4quP0CBPJgOTNd8dY_NBtInMg/w400-h266/snow%20background%20100-8255-bright-low%20contrast-red.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo 2. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> The photo editing program I like to use is Paint Shop
Pro. While it is not as advanced (nor as complicated) as Photo Shop it
has all the tools I need. And, I am not trying to create the perfect
photo, but a guide to inform my background.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Photo 1 I have used the Brightness/Contrast tool. I increased brightness and decreased contrast. I also used one of my favorite tools, Vibrancy. In Paint Shop Pro this tool is found under Hue/Saturation. Now that I have a more pleasing and colorful reference photo to work with I start looking for an interesting crop.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRbUfhyyKuwle9l8if5na7E6PsmgGRaDSYSOOHUEkY47hapWQw-hIXWqaRghckc5WVhIPYvyXuzNPakI3ap9skScIgBvHBMq9dvPWnsfG731MsOoyc2UXfGj64Hk15bY04RMOJGooP6hjWxqG8jO7qMicQXAVAKhtfoJTL5E28U1Ajwd98_kUKGIsQmHh/s2823/snow%20background%20100-8255-bright-low%20contrast-crop-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="2823" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRbUfhyyKuwle9l8if5na7E6PsmgGRaDSYSOOHUEkY47hapWQw-hIXWqaRghckc5WVhIPYvyXuzNPakI3ap9skScIgBvHBMq9dvPWnsfG731MsOoyc2UXfGj64Hk15bY04RMOJGooP6hjWxqG8jO7qMicQXAVAKhtfoJTL5E28U1Ajwd98_kUKGIsQmHh/w400-h378/snow%20background%20100-8255-bright-low%20contrast-crop-red.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Photo 3. This is the lower right section of the above photo. After various cropping options I thought a square format, which I rarely use, would work well for this painting. As I am working through this process I am renaming and saving the files as .tif to avoid losing details with a .jpg. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As an example, this photo is called </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">snow background 100-8255- bright - low contrast-v-crop </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The 100-8255 will lead me back to the original photo and the details following let me know what I did to the original photo. The v in the name is my shorthand for vibrant.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrlX-PDU11e6E55ecGiRD149SamQEDfW6Bal9obk86tJHkEy-tD8tVFwbFb-kN-Cmetawfu3NFXhxSxjHqboSvIa_f28fr2BCTb6EqrIF5vjD6Ot6Y0acmIFhWxZLl7fA5JkRpypdZVDB4QJPGQuI18OIjgoOJ2z2EyCb5hwMI4EGEbecCuAKqZzw8t8J/s2400/snow%20background%20100-8255-bright-low%20contrast-crop-less%20soft%20focus-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2264" data-original-width="2400" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrlX-PDU11e6E55ecGiRD149SamQEDfW6Bal9obk86tJHkEy-tD8tVFwbFb-kN-Cmetawfu3NFXhxSxjHqboSvIa_f28fr2BCTb6EqrIF5vjD6Ot6Y0acmIFhWxZLl7fA5JkRpypdZVDB4QJPGQuI18OIjgoOJ2z2EyCb5hwMI4EGEbecCuAKqZzw8t8J/w400-h378/snow%20background%20100-8255-bright-low%20contrast-crop-less%20soft%20focus-red.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo 4. Here I have tried the Soft Focus tool to see how I like it. I think some of it will inform my background so I saved it as an additional guide for the painting. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also tried increasing the warmth in the white balance, modifying brightness/contrast, increasing green, decreasing red, adding and subtracting vibrancy and a host of other changes. Photos 3 and 4 are the closest to what I want.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Photo 3 and 4 are the beginning references of the painting's snowy background. Once I added the owl I cropped the background snow further. As I paint I change things to better fit the painting. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">These background reference photos may not look anything like the "real photo" Photo 1, but I believe the snow feels more real in the painting with the changes.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My yellow ochre turpentine light wash over my drawing also adds an additional element to the color scheme. The overall color in the painting is warmer than Photos 3 and 4 but the color mixing on my palette is close to the above.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMIo3DKo27UyNj5UAqGHTDBA3fQgvrEolNg83Rbw55nSbR9TE5wozQFHKryKldEfSC_AjL-AXmhl6Q6zGv96qtRPFiZAwRfokpCPILqug6XrL-mwi0EXVYnmCNwK-OxkldzI0_2aq-xvgV5zFrkUe8WEjP1nei7gp1Dk5YM1NhYnLqHk8xkoSDg1p-HCR/s2404/Weather%20Wise%20in%20progress%20-%204-mod2-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2404" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMIo3DKo27UyNj5UAqGHTDBA3fQgvrEolNg83Rbw55nSbR9TE5wozQFHKryKldEfSC_AjL-AXmhl6Q6zGv96qtRPFiZAwRfokpCPILqug6XrL-mwi0EXVYnmCNwK-OxkldzI0_2aq-xvgV5zFrkUe8WEjP1nei7gp1Dk5YM1NhYnLqHk8xkoSDg1p-HCR/w399-h400/Weather%20Wise%20in%20progress%20-%204-mod2-red.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-2668527537837294482023-11-13T10:15:00.000-08:002023-11-13T10:15:56.756-08:00Starting on the owl<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47BbZrmvnXGrSsem6Wm-ev3IrEw7Q5S-U0dB9YCULSM0p6249CknRubFZNGkzeGKvdQDfqlaoMeoVNJ2G8ddsMyLU_73Z43XOMjPK7TTwiKeiBZIWKUWxPA7yMShb7EZDkuDEfbEO8-gXVPQBzYwYiycvQ8Q3jx3kimiXdslSu8C3BAivMKouGYh98xXm/s2404/Weather%20Wise%20in%20progress%20-%204-mod2-red-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2404" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47BbZrmvnXGrSsem6Wm-ev3IrEw7Q5S-U0dB9YCULSM0p6249CknRubFZNGkzeGKvdQDfqlaoMeoVNJ2G8ddsMyLU_73Z43XOMjPK7TTwiKeiBZIWKUWxPA7yMShb7EZDkuDEfbEO8-gXVPQBzYwYiycvQ8Q3jx3kimiXdslSu8C3BAivMKouGYh98xXm/w399-h400/Weather%20Wise%20in%20progress%20-%204-mod2-red-bright.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">I started with the owl's eyes. Now the owl can watch to make sure I am painting him correctly.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">; )</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911389702499068856.post-50224922524137678732023-11-10T14:19:00.002-08:002023-11-10T14:19:23.590-08:00More background<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWN5S6mBs_I6DFYdmexQZzBBlKlN1xIRcN053V_X7RcU30dZ3aUfsIU6fmvA5VjBwPWS_5ZDAV76sd5CIkUN7iJw9d8THsv5HxwNQtAMYPuB0Ptmr5rpyObkB34amY1l4cyR7Qqurl7mFqiYOeh6s9aIgTmvL3RrSr1N53gRASwKWzwLeawsvcQLriylR/s2405/Weather%20Wise%20in%20progress%20-%203-mod%20bright-red-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2405" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWN5S6mBs_I6DFYdmexQZzBBlKlN1xIRcN053V_X7RcU30dZ3aUfsIU6fmvA5VjBwPWS_5ZDAV76sd5CIkUN7iJw9d8THsv5HxwNQtAMYPuB0Ptmr5rpyObkB34amY1l4cyR7Qqurl7mFqiYOeh6s9aIgTmvL3RrSr1N53gRASwKWzwLeawsvcQLriylR/w399-h400/Weather%20Wise%20in%20progress%20-%203-mod%20bright-red-mod.jpg" width="399" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />In this stage the bits of "white" haven't been painted yet. </span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are some areas which need attention and as the painting develops further they are addressed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Note: quick phone photo <br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></p>Linda Bessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511881080000064157noreply@blogger.com0