Feeding the birds

Arches, 30 x 40 cm

When I was taking the reference photo I was intrigued by all the movement in this scene.

It is interesting how much painting changes the way we see the world around us. We start noticing things, that we used to take for granted. We discover colors, patterns, shapes and textures that we didn't think existed. And we take interest in objects, views and scenes, which we would have barely noticed before.

And then comes the potential of re-interpreting. For example, in real life the girl on my previous post was simply taking a picture of something tiny on the beach. So she had crouched with a camera in her hand stretched out, trying to take her perfect shot. I chose to see her differently.

This scene above I painted almost literally. It seemed so lively.

The water spring

Arches, 30 x 40 cm

Daffodils a la Jean Haines

When I think of painting daffodils or primroses, Jean Haines and her fun and loose style comes to mind. So I decided to try it today with these cheerful spring blossoms.

Small bouquet

I cannot stop painting flowers. But very few are blooming in my yard at this time, so I used a photo from last fall.

More spring blossoms

Purple crocuses

In my native Bulgaria this weekend is a holiday for all people named after flowers. So, happy holiday you Margaretes, Roses, Daphnes, Veronicas and all other lovely flowers!
Happy Easter to everyone too!

Crocuses

These crocuses are painted after a photo I took in someone else's garden. My crocuses are eaten by a rabbit. He keeps shaving them clean as soon as they show above the ground. On one hand I find it funny that Bunny had crocuses for breakfast. But on the other I think "Oh you, Rabbit, why didn't you eat the flowers from someone else's garden for once!" Oh well, I like having some wild life around, and this is a small price to pay for it...

Water-soluble graphite

Water-soluble graphite on paper

Water-soluble graphite on paper

The last two days, I continued exploring my new materials. For these two sketches I used two water-soluble graphite pencils, 2B and 6B and a graphite stick. The stick, wide about 1 cm is perfect for covering large areas, like the hair in the portrait, and produces very good dark color. I am really pleased how the graphite marks from all three nicely spread with water. These, combined with a water-brush, could be perfect tools for sketching on the go.