Saturday, August 14, 2010

The Bandito-Raccoon

Close ups

Acrylic on 7x5 hardboard.

This is my submission for the WDE at Wet Canvas. Valri supplied the photo.

I decided to play and experiment with the raccoon. SPCA statement: no raccoons were injured during this painting .

The acrylic was applied in many transparent washes. I used a few strips of masking tape which were painted over in different number of layers. Once removed, there are a few areas that expose the very start of the painting. It has the effect of peeling back various layers. I used it as a compositional devise and also as an interest generator.
As happens most times in nature, the raccoon blends into it's environment. The viewer is often startled when the animal "suddenly" appears within their focus. This is the effect I was after.

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Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

23 comments:

  1. You really captured this little guy's character - very nice!

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  2. Dean, I like how you are always experimenting and coming up with such creative ideas...love this one!

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  3. There is so much depth in all those washes. Love it

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  4. Love this painting, and really like your technique with the masking tape, love seeing the transparent layers. Very well done, Dean!

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  5. Hi Dean! I've been following but keeping mum. Your work just gets better and better - more engaging. I'm crazy about that rabbit... and this raccoon ? Wonderful!

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  6. He certainly blends in with his background Dean! Again, another wonderful painting with great experimental ideas.

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  7. Dean, this one made me smile right in the thumbnail on the my blog. The colors are exquisite and redolent of the coming autumn. I remember hand feeding raccoons when I was young. Probably a no no these days, for sure. But they would come right up to you!! So cute! And thank you for offering the paintings for sale before putting them on eBay. I want one terribly so I'm going to contact you when I see the perfect Sherry piece!

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  8. I love this, Dean. The layers create so much interest, and the actual rendering of the raccoon is superior.

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  9. What a great character, Dean - beautifully handled.

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  10. Thank you, Kim. Very nice to "see" you again.

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  11. Thanks, Carol...I just keep searching for the perfect approach/style/technique. But like the carrot in front of the horse, it stays just out of reach.

    Guess ya could call the art quest "grasping for the carrot".

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  12. Hi, P&P! Building washes is fun. I just have to remind myself not to get in a hurry...to leave some showing through.

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  13. Angela...I have used the tape technique a few times before. Always interesting. Never achieved it's full potential...yet.

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  14. Hi, Patrice...no need to keep mum...jump right in. Comments are very much appreciated.

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  15. Thank you, Liz...your words inspire me!

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  16. Sherry...you said,"I remember hand feeding raccoons when I was young. Probably a no no these days, for sure."
    Many, many, years ago, my older brother had one for a pet..surely a HUGE 'no no' these days. But I got to watch all the habits...washing their food, etc...A wonderful opportunity to observe and learn to love animals.

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  17. Thanks so much for your gracious comment, Claire!

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  18. Thanks, Edward, my friend. I appreciate it.

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  19. Dog-gone-it Dean, you are so versatile - I think you could paint a paper bag - OH, that's been done! This one is so beautiful. I just wish my check book was bigger - I'd line my walls with (more) 5x7's! I've been browsing your blog - what a treat for the eyes!
    Beckie

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  20. hi dean, again , this is another great painting. wonderful work. ben

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  21. Oh I love him. Great lighting and the colors are WOW!!!

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