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!

Susan Ogilvie Workshop Day Four

Sailing
pastel on Wallis Museum
12 x 16

Salt Marsh
pastel on Wallis Museum
12 x 14

Salt Marsh underpainting
sometimes the underpainting
is so strong it's tempting to sign it
and call it "done"

Susan Ogilvie's demo
acrylic underpainting
directly on Gatorfoam

I loved today's demo! Susan painted the acrylic underpainting you see above. After it dried, she applied pumice gel to create a sanded surface on top of this underpainting. Since the gel dries clear, she can paint pastel right over the top of this to create a multi-layered beautiful painting. I will try this when I get home, since I didn't bring enough panels or much variety of acrylic paint.

Today my focus was to get my compositions right and to use my photo references as suggestions rather than directives. Much more creativity in placement of the pieces, more intentional placement of light and dark patterns, and some stuff made up based on things only hinted at in the photos.

I think I am getting stronger paintings with more dynamic compositions. The depth and sense of scale are pleasing to me.

My art friend, Celeste Bergin, says, "You're only as good as your last painting." Tonight, I'm feeling pretty good.

Tomorrow is the last day of the workshop. We voted to end the session with a critique. I am excited. But VERY tired! Not too tired to smile, though. It's been a great week!