Saturday, October 06, 2012

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.


7 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing your technique on your blog ... very interesting.
    Congratulations your work is beautiful. I love looking at your blog is like a soul food

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  2. Oh Dean...so beautiful. Baby fawns are just so delightful to see. I often see them on my way to and from work and they always just stare at the passing cars with those big eyes. Fortunately, mom is usually close by, but I always worry one will get hit. People just aren't careful enough.

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  3. I enjoyed your steps, Dean, thank you. And I wholeheartedly agree - the touches of warm siena on the fawn's body and ears make the painting come alive.

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  4. Wow, that's a small canvas to be able to get the detail that you did. Great job Dean.

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  5. really great to see your progress shots and get the explanation...beautiful!

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  6. Hi there Dean!... You certainly captured the essence of the moment... with a combination of great focus... colour and texture!

    A sensitive moment beautifully portrayed!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. thanks for sharing your technique, Dean. I love the finished painting!

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