The finished egg. I’m just giving it three coats of varnish and then I shall be dropping it in to the Elephant family offices tomorrow. But until then here’s a picture so that you can see how big it really is and check out this video for a little animation of the whole thing.
Karen and the finished egg
Little did I know when I did the design for this egg back in October just how difficult it is to create the idea of water. I really wanted the tulips to sit in a glass vase with water in it that would show how Parrot tulips droop and fall over the edge. I honestly wish I’d had a different idea because I’ve tried to paint this vase three completely different ways. Finally, I’m happy that you get a sense of water without it being more dominant than the top half (which was one of the problems).
So here are the images showing the water.
The egg from below
The vase and flowers
It’s been a very productive day today – the leaves now have a lot more depth. Well that’s it for 2011 more in 2012!
Happy New Year to you all.
Flowers and foliage
Foliage gains depth
I can’t think of a better way of avoiding the excesses of Christmas than by closing myself off in the studio and painting. So a big thank you to The Big Egg Hunt for providing me with an excuse!
I’ve just completed the second coat on the flowers which is where they get a bit more form and definition. They are coming along nicely so here’s some images for you to enjoy whilst I crack on with the final coat on the foliage.
Open and flamboyant
Upturned and glorious
I just thought I’d manage a little update before Christmas. There’s still more to do between feasting and the deadline is looming but its looking very colourful.
Each flower will need at least three coats – the first coat gives me a rough idea of the shading and covers the white. The second coat allows me to add more detail and get some lovely strokes in there. The final coat will allow me to add detail…a small brush required! I’ll probably go around and then touch up the final bits before I varnish it.
So enjoy the images and then get down to enjoying the festive season – Merry Christmas.
The top flower gets it's second coat
Detail of the paint strokes
We’re on to painting now with, as always. the leaves going in first. Nice long strokes for tulip leaves with twists and turns as the light hits them. There will be a few bent and twisty ones going in to add variety. It’s quite a distance to cover from top to bottom and I’m not even going right to the top!
I’m using mainly Liquitex paints this time as they have a really nice coverage. Because my preferred medium is oil paint it’s always a challenge doing these events because not only is it a different surface – fibreglass – but it’s also a different paint – acrylic. However that just makes it more interesting.
I am using all the same green colours as I’ve used previously and they’re giving me a beautiful emerald feel. So it’s looking really rich. I think I’ll take a break from leaves now and add a few flowers…..
Painting the foliage
The Drawing has proceeded really well. There are a selection of flowers in different stages of opening from buds to fully opened flowers. There are a few gaps to fill but I think with the different bends and curls in the leaves that won’t be a problem.
Next stage is to get all those shades of green on there so that we can see the shapes……more later.
Drawing of an open flower
Parrot tulip bud
Egg in Studio primed and ready
The egg is happily ensconced in the studio with a coat of primer on and ready to go. The design is to be Parrot tulips in keeping with the spring timing and to link it to the work of Elephant Family and other animal charities that work to protect endangered species. Some Parrots are still considered to be endangered, including the Orange-bellied parrot and Queenslands Golden-shouldered parrot so I’m more than happy to make people aware of their plight.
But let’s not forget the work of Action for Children who are the other charity involved in this great event and their work supporting and speaking out for the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children and young people. So for them I name this egg ‘Pretty Polly’ and hope it brings something beautiful into the world.
The style will be not dissimilar to my painting ‘Multifarious’ with it’s variety of colours and shades.
