Monday, May 14, 2012

flamenco

22 x 30, pastel on prepared paper
I saw flamingos in California, Florida, at various zoos, and in the plastic variety all over the country. My sketchbooks are filled with drawings of their graceful necks, dark bills, and intriguing postures. This is the first time I have painted a flamingo, but not the last.

I started with a charcoal and acrylic sketch on a full sheet of Rives BFK. Over that I brushed Golden's Acrylic Pastel Ground, which left me with a richly textured underpainting ready for pastel. Wish you could see it full-sized and experience the all-knowing eye give you the once over.

My musical association with the flamingo is obvious, but no less exciting. Flamenco guitar!



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahh, like the strokes of a Degas! Gorgeous!

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

Ohhhhh Katherine, this might be my all time favorite of yours. Its absolutely beautiful. I love the composition of the flamenco and the colors are beautiful. Yes, more, more, more.

Eden Compton Studio said...

Beautiful Katherine! Love the color and the movement!

SamArtDog said...

Bird's eyes have a noticeable power. I'd love to see this big pink, lit up at the end of a hallway giving me the once over, daring me to appproach. Ooooo!

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Thanks, Joni and Nancy! Composition is easy with the curvy neck of these unusual birds. I think that the many layers of underpainting helped give the topmost strokes a sparkling look.

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Eden: thank you for stopping in and commenting!

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Hi Sam! Good to hear from you -- all the way from Maine. Oh, he'll let you approach all right. But only to see if your feathers are more lovely than his.

Jala Pfaff said...

Cool painting. There's something Degas-like about it. Dreamy.

Jan Yates, SCA, Canada said...

OMG~WOW~just..YUM!!!! and so very much more that this tired one can't articulate-will be back for lots more looks though

Susan Roux said...

Very nice flamingo and beautiful passionate music to accompany it! Have a wonderful day!

Debra Jones said...

Awesome painting!! And the 'all knowing eye' is riveting - not just another pretty face. Can't wait to see the next one.

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Thanks Jala, Jan, Susan, and Debra! Birds always fascinate me and it's fun to finally start painting them. I appreciate your encouraging comments.

William Cook said...

What great subject--an actual pink flamingo. You've outdone yourself with this one. The guitarist was a treat as well. Have you ever heard of Andy McKee? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4&feature=relmfu

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

I've heard Andy McKee before, William, but thanks for the link. I enjoy how he uses the guitar as percussion! Thanks about the flamingo painting, too.