PA - LESSON #5 - European Bee-eater

[dennis]

Don't worry, you soon will be painting like a pro   just do your best in trying to follow (copy) me - don't worry too much about mistakes because it is then that you actually learn.
Just today I read that the pastels are in renaissance and really starting to come into it's own 

[jillh]

Thanks Dennis. I'll continue to attempt to copy and learn as much as I can.

[dennis]

 

[Happychappy]

    Jill, your bird is beautiful and so is your background.  If anyone is background challenged, it is me.   Patricia

[Happychappy]

This is my try with the European Bee-eater.  I find the pastel sticks awkward because I don't have control over them like a pencil.  However, it is a wonderful exercise in using different tools to do the job as best as I could.  Lots of room for improvement. Comments and critiques are always welcomed.  Thank you.
 
Patricia
 
 

Details

[jillh]

Lovely bird Patricia.  He looks soft and feathery.  I would darken up the back ground to make the bird stand out more But, shoot what do I know 

[dennis]

Patricia, I agree with Jill. Still an excellent painting with a new medium You actually have more control than you realize and it will get better still

[Val]

Lovely Patricia, a darker background will have him flying off the page! 

[Happychappy]

    Dennis and Jill for your advice.  I will darken up the background and yes, Dennis, I am sure that with time, I will get used to the pastel sticks.  Change is never easy but I am always eager to learn.
 
Patricia

[Happychappy]

   Val.  Yes, I do agree that it will be better with a darker background.  All part of a learning experience.  Thanks so much for your comments and advice which is always appreciated.  Patricia

[MaryAnne Long]

Patricia,

You are doing well with this new medium.

I bought some inexpensive oil pastels today just to try while I was riding the bus.

Definitely not the medium to use on the bus.  Far too messy.  Will not even post what I did with them.

aloha

mea

[Happychappy]

   Mea for your encouragement.  I love the look of pastels but know that I will prefer the pencils as they are cleaner, you have more control over what you are doing and there is not much dust.  After painting the bird, I was covered in dust and because I have trouble with my breathing, I wore a surgical mask but still managed to get myself covered. I will wear an apron next time. Having said all that, economically, the sticks are better for large areas but the pencils are ideal for the finer details and much easier to handle. Anyway, it is good to learn all these new mediums for it widens our horizons. Don't be afraid to post your work that you do on the bus Mea for it is all interesting for us to see what is possible. I saw your painting of the Nene in the gallery and now want to take a closer look for it seemed to be so very well done.


Just had a closer look and to think you did it on a moving bus which is so bumpy ... just blows my mind.  You are so good Mea.  You even got the high-light in the birds eye beautifully.  Good job.


Patricia

[MaryAnne Long]

Thank you, Patricia.  I keep trying.  I've only been doing art for one year and still consider my work so amateurish compared to what some of you are doing.  But, I do see incredible progress from month to month.

I love painting and drawing and am so happy to have a new hobby for life.

Thank you all for your support.  Without PB, I'd be lost.

aloha

me

[May lynn]

Here is my version.

Details

The European Bee Eater is beautiful to look at but,
who's colour are difficult to capture in a  pastel painting.

May lynn

[Val]

Very nicely done May Lynn.