New Projects in Painting - Update #3

So, now that two of the three paintings in this "project" are finished, I have all the time just for the third.

=))

Here an overview of the development of it. The first two pictures are when I was still working on all three of the paintings.

Just the outlines in pencil. 

Some black for the eye and back added.

Adding a background first, but leaving the tree stump and squirrel free of paint.

Since then I have done more to this painting. But slowly, with enough time for the color to dry between layers.

The basic color for the tree stump.

Some more details on the tree stump - with shadows.

Adding the basic color for the squirrel - the eye was moved a bit more the the snout too.

To actually paint the squirrel took me a week of hesitating. And I'm still not quite sure on how to get the fur "realistic" enough. This is the hardest part to figure out. A learning experience - and hopefully one that I can apply to that cat face painting I want to do since April.

Long way to go - and still having fun!!

New Projects in Painting - Update #2

The last update was on the 20th August, nearly two weeks ago.
New Projects in Painting - Update

But I have not been idle.
So - here is how it went form the last update:

All 3 paintings at their various stages as I had stopped the last update.

Spider has now it's net, the bird a hint of shadow below it. I did some minor detail work on the spider too.

The Spider - hanging for the photo on my yellow kitchen wall. It got removed later on as it's too "scary"!!

Meanwhile the bird has got a background and some shadow. I chose this reddish brown as contrast to the blue and yellow main colors of the bird.

The Blue Tit - again hanging on my yellow kitchen wall for the photo. As of today it is still there!! =))

The Squirrel.

Now that the first 2 of 3 are finished, I started working on the squirrel. And I have "learned" that it might be advisable to do the rough background first. the fine hairs can be painted more easily OVER the background than the background AROUND the fine hairs later on.

So, now I have some new paintings to show off when the art club I'm in finally does have an exhibition for once around the middle of November.

=))