Dawn Fawn-Wildlife

Above is the finished painting. The following demo will give you an idea of the steps.

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Step 1

I wanted to show the fawn stepping out of the dark, shadowy woods into a spot of morning sun.
I sketched the deer and restated the main lines I didn't want to lose with a Sharpie. I then put in the darks using black gesso...sometimes with a touch of acrylic Thalo Blue for extra punch on the darks. The deer was shaded with a watery wash of the same. I was establishing (searching out) the values.

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Step 2

 

Still working monotone with black gesso and a bit of acrylic thalo blue, I developed the fawn and foreground values.  

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Step 3

I added oils using knife and brush. I was ready to post this but felt something was wrong. finally I decided that I had held too much to the darker values in my attempt to illustrate the shadows from which the subject was emerging. I felt this image was drab looking.  At this stage is where I many times make the mistake of hurrying up and posting .....feeling some sort of pressure to just move on, and don't take the chance of overworking it. I'm glad I held off this time.

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 Close ups

Oil on 7x5 canvas panel.

I used brush plus a painting knife. I really had fun with the color blends in the foliage and the ground.

I applied the extreme lights sparingly in order to mimic the sun striking selected spots.

Available ... If interested, contact me at kkayangel2(at)yahoo.com

My Etsy

John 8:12       Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.