I decided to paint a pair of Gang Gang Cockatoos. Fortunately for me, five of them landed in my back yard and set about eating some seed pods. They were interested in feeding, so I clicked away and shot some photographs for the demonstration painting! The title of my painting is ‘My Resplendent Redhead’ – Gang Gang Cockatoos.
If you decide to paint birds or animals, it helps to know a little about them; for instance their habitat and their eating habits.
STEP ONE
Music is important for me. Sometimes it’s classical or maybe old time rock and roll. I selected a half sheet of olive green Colourfix Pastel Paper and taped it to the MDF board. I enlarged some reference photographs on my printer (I like to have them up in front of me while in the process of getting my initial drawing down).
I do a lot of thinking about composition, colour, background and foreground before anything gets onto the paper. I also shape a large piece of newspaper like a tray and stick it to the base of my MDF board, so it can catch the falling pastel dust as I work.
I attached a strip of Colourfix paper beside my painting, to test colours.
STEP TWO
Time to sketch; first on my pad as this would familiarise me with my subjects. It also helped with composition.
Once I started with the charcoal on the Colourfix paper I changed the composition slightly – I wanted a connection with each bird and overlapping them helped.
Charcoal allows me to wipe off and redraw easily. A soft rag is all that is needed for wiping off.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Eye of Observation
Draw, draw, and draw some more; develop your artist’s eye of observation. Sterling advice from a lady who believes that seeing shapes in paintings requires a truly ‘arty’ eye.
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.
Pastels: Once We Were Important
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Fibre Art
This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.
Water Lily Magic
Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.
Loading Wheat – 1920s
It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.
Blahuta's Ute
Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.
Artists' Easels
Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.
