A bird in the paper is worth 2 pooping on the car,
I’ve had such a busy week that I’ve only just sat down to read Wednesday’s paper (and the rest!) this evening. What a nice surprise to see one of my photos being used in the paper:
The original photo and story behind this OCD Sunbird and it’s pooping ways all over my car can be found by clicking here.
I’ve had a few emails asking for some “behind the scenes of the kingfisher painting. Everything I’ve learnt regarding this method has been taught to me by a wonderful bird artist, Paul Margocsy.
I’ve used Clayboard for this piece, but any illustration board (smooth or toothed), and even Matt board (for framing) is OK.
Step1 - After sketching onto my clayboard, I mask the birds and foliage. Using my airbrush, I lay down washes of background colour. I have the board tilted up at an angle, which is better for airbrushing, but not so good for wayward drips!
Airbrushing is really forgiving, I made a heap of mistakes here. The consequence is that the background gets darker and darker. I need to adjust the pressure to a lower setting so that it’s not like a rifle going off!
I use a finger or eraser to gently peel off the dried masking fluid. I’ve used a water soluable wash pencil for the sketch. I touched up some of the birds with the same pencil at this stage.
Time to block in rough areas of colour with a big brush. After this step, I go over and lay in the fine details with a tiny brush. Good eyes and a steady hand an advantage - I don’t have either! I wouldn’t call this method “over-the-top-difficult”, but more “methodical”. I find the feathers/foliage gets rather tedious after a while, but a quick walk or cuppa soon revives my momentum.
And the finished peice you saw 2 posts back. No 8 in using this method, not that I’m counting!
Did anyone sit through the whole Opening Ceremony last night? I admit I flagged after 12.30, but was able to catch the replay this morning. I think of all the artists involved in so many aspects, the costumes, the calligraphy, the lighting, the props, the digital art (stupendous!) and the list goes on. Just FABULOUS!
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Hey Cindy - Loving all the installments on your blog. Your work is wonderful and I truly feel that you are doing exactly what you are meant to be doing. Yes - Perth is feeling the cold at the moment but that is winter and we look forward to those 26 degree days! LOL A few people have asked how you are going and I just tell them to look at your blog and they can see for themselves. Wong Hawker rang the other night and asked where Elaine was!
Hey Margie,
Great to see you here again!
Ahhh, a week of 26 degree days is forecast here, and practically no humidity - just heaven!
I tried a Thai restaurant yesterday lunchtime (right by the uni, so not too exxy). Brought back very fond memories of Wong Hawker, nasiiii lemakkkkk and Erayne. The food wasn’t a patch on the Hawker’s back there, and I really missed not sharing lunch with you yesterday.
Jeff has been eating REAL Thai food - he was at the river Kwai today. All I can say is the present he brings back better be pretty dang impressive….
Hi Cindy,
Has the olympics started? Haha. I haven’t seen any of it. Staying up past 10pm is a big night for me these days.
Interesting to be able to see how that painting was created.
Hey, did the paper pay you lots of cash for using your photo?
Hey Tim,
Me and mah boy are watching the swimming finals at the moment After a very late night and early morning (teenage sleepover), it’s a “Go Slooow” kinda day.
I sent the paper the pic as part of a “call for wildlife photos”. Anyone can submit them as far as I know, and definately no cash involved! Runs until Sept some time. I’ll dig out a few more, resize them and submit them.
I tried looking at my bugblog yesterday. Guess what? Broken. How surprising.
Only 3 more sleeps to go…..OOOOOOH I think we are getting excited. I’ve been busy finishing spreading the mulch and getting the house organised for house sitters and watching the olympics so not much time left for blogging. Your posts are as interesting as ever and I don’t know how you find time to blog with everything else you do. Ah to be young again!
Is your man on holiday or on a junket? Hope he gets home safe with a BIG pressy for you. Good luck in your course. Did you feel mellow? When I come back from hols I think I will do a similar thing to you. Just put an intro on BugBlog and link it to my blogspot (Hope you don’t mind me copying your good ideas)
Yes, tried to watch the opening ceremony, but havent had much sleep the last few days so, as expected, nodded off for bits of it….
Those drummers were amazing - the effect stunning! and the little lit up guys…..
Yeah, what happened to you (and Grotty) from what I can see?
I am popping in for a visit. Next time I’ll bring a treat. That would have been a surprise to see your pic in the paper. Your desk looks so organised! You should see mine - stuff everywhere!
P.S. There is an ‘n’ missing in Diane’s link
Hi Everyone,
Diane, you must be counting down the minutes by now! My man, he’s counting the minutes till he gets home. Fact finding mission is wearing thin after 10 days away.
My Bugblog is well and truly broken and the boffins don’t know why. They want me to telephone them. Not on my list of “Highly Important and Supremely Urgent Things To Do” I’m afraid. It’s really only Telstra customers that visit Bugblog. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone from outside Oz commenting there?
Link away Diane, Link away!
Kim, I have the martini glasses chillin’. A 1.5ltr bottle of Cointreau has been ordered and the overseas opperative should be returning with it by morning.
Miss Lyss, treats? It is treat enough that you visited. That same desk is covered with lipgloss pots full of homemade paint, and a right mess it is too!
Thanks for the link info.
Cheers
Cindy