Funky Chick

Funky Chick  pastel 5 x 7
No, I haven't lost my mind after so many chickens recently. I just felt the need to step out of my comfort zone and go a bit nuts. This turned out to be so much fun, I may do more in the future, the medium of pastel lends itself well to the colorful hodge podge of color. Feel free to comment , if you think I have gone over the edge.

Pride in Appearance

Pride in Appearance pastel on archival panel 7x5in.
This white hen has preened her feathers to a glowing white. I am sure she is setting an example for all the other hens in the flock.
I used a Unison panel with an underpainting of pastel brushed in with water.I used Unison and Sennelier pastels . My goal was to have the hen look luminous. All blending was done by layering pastels, no rubbing.

Is That an Ax???????

Is That an Ax???????? pastel on board 7 1/2 X 9 in

If this doesn't bring a smile to your face, nothing will. This is a real life rooster owned by Becca Groves and her family, she was kind enough to share this photo with me and I did my own little things with it. But really, truly, the eyes are are real mc coy.
This is done on Unison pastel board, with no underpainting. Just direct layers of soft pastels, mostly Unison and Sennelier.
 I have been doing more serious work and needed a laugh and a subject with lots of color.
I hope he makes you smile as well.

White and Bright

White and Bright oil on panel 5 x 7 in.
When chickens have the freedom to range feed the develop in every way from muscles to healthy feathers. They will take dust baths and just because of the freedom they have to go where they like their feathers seem to be healthier and whiter, almost reflective of light. 
I used a palette knife to finish the grass and feathers. I begin with a light wash of all the colors after I have drawn  in the chickens and then build up layers of color until I get the effect I want.

No Butts About It

No Butts About It  Oil on linen panel 10 x 6 in.
This rooster, Henry is leading his harem, perhaps astray! I wanted to show early morning light when the chickens are let out of their coup and go off hunting for whatever chickens hunt for.
I wanted this painting to have  the light encouraging you to enter the picture , not just chickens but a scene that can be seen on almost any farm raising chickens.
I began with an underpainting, and then worked from dark to light. There is a delicate light violet on the edge of the bushes and in the grasses. Scumbling helped keep the delicate background gently recede.
As this rooster and his harem hustle off, all we see is BUTTS, No Butts about it!

Nature's Ballerina

Nature's Ballerina 6 x 8 oil on panel
This wild plum tree reminds me of a ballerina  in her beautiful tulle skirt making her debut on the Spring stage. There is a grace and beauty in these trees reminding us that Spring has arrived and showing off their blossoms against a few green buds just opening on the other trees.
This is an example of a "do-over". I had an unsuccessful painting, sanded it down and toned the old painting with the "soup" from the bottom of my paint thinner container, always a neutral grey, sometimes warmer, sometimes cooler. This tone was slightly warm. If you haven't tried doing this, it is a free tone from what you would wipeout and throw away.

Sunrise Peeking Through

Sunrise Peeking Through 6 x 8 oil on panel
Early in the morning driving to a small the town nearby I held my camera to the window and just clicked away. Bone chilling cold, crisp clean air . The delight in seeing this sliver of sunrise was just calling to be captured in paint. It is a quiet moody piece, very contemplative when you spend a few moments looking at it.