I just found out that “Done for the Day”, a painting of bactrian camels that I photographed in Mongolia at Arburd Sands last September has been accepted into the Society of Animal Artists jured show “Art and the Animal”. In the animal art world, this is the most prestigious show and entries come in from all over the world. I have been entering and not getting in for five or so years, so success is sweet indeed. Here’s the painting:
More later.
I started some fun paintings from my new Mongolian reference last week and thought I’d share a couple of them in progress. I’m experimenting with a new way of starting, based on something I learned from John Seerey-Lester. Up till now I’ve begun by drawing directly with the brush, using line. It’s a default from being a “drawer” as a child. One of the major things I learned in art school was to see shape instead of, or in addition to, line.
Since I don’t use a projector, I draw directly from images on my monitor or a preliminary drawing. I sometimes get in trouble and spend a lot of time correcting. What to do?
Something must have been purcolating while I was away from the easel, because it suddenly occurred to me to do a light lay-in of the shapes with a big brush for size, proportion and location, wipe it out so that it is a ghost shape and then start the “real” drawing. It’s already made a difference.
So, here’s two in progress:
A Mongolian stallion 24″x36″
And a bactrian camel 20″x28″
Also, here’s one of the paintings that was accepted and will be available for purchase at the Society of Animal Artists show “Small Works, Big Impressions” at The Wildlife Experience near Denver, Colorado.
It’s called “Breakfast for Two” and is a takhi mare and foal that I saw at Hustai National Park.
Equipment reviews on Friday and more paintings!
Susan Fox, American Artist 