Saturday, April 13, 2013

Bye Bye Birdie!

I finally sat down this week and did last week's project for Life Book 2013 (here).  The great thing about this year long series of classes is that you can go back even if life interferes for one or more weeks.  The wild and wacky, very talented Tamara LaPorte presented this particular lesson on painting whimsical birds.  I've done this before - but I loved her technique of "scrubbing" the paint with a brush for a softer and more blended look.  I'm really big on getting away from my childhood habit of coloring exactly to the lines.  I used some of the birds I've painted previously as models and just loved the results.  I didn't spend as much time on the background as I sometimes do - just some Liquitex spray paints (love them!!!) and stencils.  I love them all - but Frankenowl (2nd from right) really makes me laugh.  I will have to do some more of them - just too much fun and absolutely no stress!

I did finally finish my Low Country Woody below and I'm very happy with him.  I am just loving mixing collage with images and see more of that in my future.  I am linking up with Paint Party Friday (here) hosted by the always fabulous and hard working Eva and Kristin.  Have fun and go see some wonderful art.  Better yet - post your own if you haven't yet.  Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed and art-filled day.
Woody - head shot

Low Country Woody


Posted by at

41 comments:

  1. Valerie-JaelApril 13, 2013 at 6:42 AM

    Lovely work, love your birdie! Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 14, 2013 at 4:59 PM

      thanks so much Valerie - you've been so supportive.

      Delete
  2. JKWApril 13, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    What a wonderful bird, I can hear the 'sounds' on my house now (yep, in the woods of Central IL is where I use to live and they loved the bugs on my house. . .Great art. Blessings, Janet PPF

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 14, 2013 at 5:00 PM

      Thanks Janet - this was a step out of my zone - I didn't sketch the bird - I just started painting (I did have a photo) - I think I ended up with a softer look this way.

      Delete
  3. ikeApril 13, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    Oh the little whimsy birds are just adorable... I love them all :-D
    Great Woody... great how you did that background :-)
    Hugz
    IKE x

    ReplyDelete
  4. FayeApril 13, 2013 at 7:46 AM

    I remember Woody from last week when you did the trunk from little bits of paper, I believe. He is wonderful. You should be well pleased with the results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 14, 2013 at 5:02 PM

      Thanks so much - I did some tweaking this week and now feel satisfied with the painting (or as satisfied as I get!)

      Delete
  5. Anne MandaApril 13, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    Cute birdies, very imaginative and sweet! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 14, 2013 at 5:02 PM

      They were too fun to paint - I am definitely going to do some more birds and other animals. Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  6. LeoviApril 13, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    Wow! Funny birds, lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  7. VictoriaApril 13, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    So beautiful..fabulous work..they are all absolutely magical and enchanting! and the woodpecker is stunning..totally sublime!
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 4:24 PM

      What a sweet thing to say! That is so encouraging - thank you so much for taking time to make a comment

      Delete
  8. UnknownApril 13, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    your whimsical birds are sooooo adorable!! Love the hula skirt, just make me smile!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLAApril 13, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    Your woodpecker came out amazing, and those whimsical little birds brought a smile to my face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 6:26 AM

      Thank you for the encouraging comments - I like smiles a lot!

      Delete
  10. NettyApril 13, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    loving your new fun birds. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 6:27 AM

      Thanks Annette - I so appreciate my online artist friends!

      Delete
  11. GlorV1April 13, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    Your little birds are awesome. Nice done. Happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 11:12 AM

      Thanks Gloria - they are so fun now I want to do more!

      Delete
  12. minnemieApril 13, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    FUN FUN birds! I especially like the first one... something about her posture...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 11:13 AM

      Fun is good! I'm happy when I make people smile. Thanks for your comment. I really think you are an awesome artist - and my husband agrees with me.

      Delete
  13. Tracey FKApril 13, 2013 at 11:34 PM

    The whimsical birds are fab and lots of fun but the woodpecker came out especially beautifully ... sorry I am late getting here for PPF but figuring I am just extending the fun... well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it ...xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 11:15 AM

      Thanks Tracey - the woodpecker was way out of my zone. I am proud that I was able to paint him without drawing him first. I think he looks softer that way. By the way - I accept your excuse and raise you one. (I think that's poker language).

      Delete
  14. GigglesApril 14, 2013 at 1:08 AM

    Love your birdy work!! The two first ones in the group of four make me giggle I love them so much!! I like Woody too but he is way more conservative.... I love it when you let go...


    Hugs Giggles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 11:16 AM

      Giggling is a good thing - we need laughter! Thanks for your lovely comments.

      Delete
  15. dentheApril 14, 2013 at 2:48 AM

    Your woody is a beautiful painting. I love the texture and the way you did the tree. And your whimsical birds are so cute.... Particularly the dancing one with the skirt ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 11:18 AM

      Thanks - I am trying to be freer when I paint and sketch. The hard lines don't give me creative room. If I need them - I put them in after I paint.

      Delete
  16. DVArtistApril 14, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    It is difficult to draw and paint birds. To get the expression and feathers. You have done a magnificent job. Wonderful.
    Nicole/Beadwright

    ReplyDelete
  17. ChristineApril 14, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    wonderful whimsical birds, and nice to see Woody all finished!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfApril 15, 2013 at 2:50 AM

    I so wish I could join in this years Life Book class. Birdies are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bellefrogworksApril 15, 2013 at 11:20 AM

      I am having a lot of trouble keeping up - thanks for the comment

      Delete
  19. AnonymousApril 15, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    I love all your birds! I really love the whimsical ones, they are so fun, colorful and pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  20. GinnyApril 15, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    I really love how Woody turned out. Thank you for sharing the process. It helps so much to see a project from start to finish.

    Your birds for your class are adorable. I can see how much fun they would be to create and how much joy one could get from looking at them each and every day.

    ReplyDelete
  21. ElisaApril 16, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    those birds are so fun to look at. lifts me up. thank you gina!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Joy MurrayApril 20, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    I love these birds -- the whimsical ones and the hard working colorful woodpecker. Thanks for sharing them and taking us along on your journey.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)