Free to Fly - Barn Owl Oil Painting - 50 x 80 cm -Available for Sale
My latest Barn Owl painting ‘Free to Fly’
An Oil Painting Demonstration
An Oil Painting Demonstration
Last week I was delighted to attend the Desford and Peckleton Art Club. Theirs is an evening meeting so I arrived at 1830 to set up my easel and get my paints ready. The demonstration ran between 1915 and 2100 with a tea break in the middle.
It is always a strange experience, to paint in front of a group of people. Just as in the studio, you hope that you will achieve the desired results but you never quite know. It’s exactly the same when folk are watching and listening, with the added chance of making yourself look like a fool!
I decided that I would demonstrate some of the current ideas I’m working on so that I could show my thoughts and decision-making process in ‘real-time’. I took one piece that I had already made a start on, the week before. And one blank canvas that I had prepared with a rough coat of black oil paint as a base.
Both pieces were of the same Eagle Owl in different poses. These were photos that we had taken of Max, one of the owls at the Rosliston Owl Centre on our visit back in April.
With the first piece, I was able to show how I begin a painting by working straight onto the canvas with a large brush. How I map out the composition, and my thought process when deciding where everything should go. In the second painting, I showed how I progress a piece after the first layer is dry, working back into the piece in glazes of colour and editing as I go along.
It was a very nice evening and hopefully it was interesting for the group of artists.
Ready to start layer 2, bac at the studio
My colours were transparent maroon, ultramarine and white
I had to dash away quickly at the end, as I turn into a pumpkin at sunset. This is due to my impaired vision not allowing me to drive after dark. Particularly on unlit country roads. I think this will preclude my attending evening groups in future, however, I will still be able to demonstrate for daytime art clubs.
Here is the first of the paintings after another hour’s work back in the studio today.
A Kingfisher Painting in Fresh Shades of Aqua
Summer Rushes - my latest Kingfisher Painting in Oils
Here is a very fresh and vibrant Kingfisher painting, now available on my website in the Birds section here.
I absolutely love these beautiful little birds, it’ s fun to try and spot them down by the river bank although its typically just a flash of turquoise blue - and they’re gone!
Now that Summer is here, I hope to go to some of my favourite local riverside walks and see if I can see one again.
A new Kingfisher painting in acrylics!
I love Kingfishers and they are a favourite painting subject of mine. This one is big at about 30” square, and very brightly coloured with shocking pink and teal blues. Im exploring acrylic painting right now, using brushes, fingertips and paint pens to add details and textures and pushing the colour to create work with a high visual impact. Shocking pink and orange work really well against the bright teal and orange of the bird, I find these colours truly heartwarming!
A Painting of Doves
Mourning Doves
This week I am working on this painting of doves. I enjoy finding out a little about the wildlife I paint. These are also known as the American Mourning Dove, or the Turtle Dove, and apparently are very common in America. I think they have the loveliest little faces.
Barn Owl Paintings
I am working on Barn Owl paintings this week, one of my favourite birds to paint. Check my ‘Originals’ page to see this gentleman when he is finished!
So far, I have been building up the layers quite slowly, next step is the darker feathers and a little more shading and detail.
Work in progress
The first of two new paintings of Barn Owls in progress this week.
I enjoy creating paintings of Barn Owls so much, I decided to make a couple more, they are such beautiful birds, and quite haunting too!
New Barn Owl Paintings
I enjoy creating paintings of Barn Owls so much, I decided to make a couple more, they are such beautiful birds, and quite haunting too!
I am creating this piece on a textured ground, as I love painting over a ‘bumpy’ surface, the textured effect of the finished painting. This piece will have the effect of the owl emerging from the dark, the second piece is similar, with the addition of a starry sky.
New Owl Painting
A Process Photograph of my Tawny Owl Painting
A small new Owl painting in progress, just a few adjustments to go. This piece is acrylics and 45 X 60 cm. I want to soften the top right foliage area and around the eyes without disturbing the colour scheme which I'm liking a lot.
Revisiting an owl theme
Astronomer - an Owl Painting with a Starry Sky Background
Today I revisited an owl that I have painted before , I wanted to use the same idea but really push the sky and the lighting effects more, to make this painting more like it was in my mind. I have a couple of alterations to make, and then we'll see if I managed to do what I set out to do this morning ☺️ Many artists won't paint the same scene twice, but I actually often do and I enjoy seeing which bits I can change or improve.
Little Grouse
I am using a new painting technique to create a grouse oil painting.
I can’t believe this sweet guy is my first-ever grouse! I’m using a new technique that I have adopted recently for smaller details. Because I cannot really see well enough to paint in the old way, instead, I put the paint down in the general vicinity and then push it into place with a dry brush. I took a video of me doing a few last bits in this way, yesterday, it is nice because sometimes you do need a little bit of detail.
Painting Birds - Workshop next weekend!
Im getting really excited about this now! This will be my first 2 day painting weekend workshop and Im holding it at Sharpes Pottery Museum, one of my favourite venues! This week I will be sourcing as many lovely woodland bird reference images as I can find, so that there is plenty of choice. Each guest will get the chance to paint three small bird canvases over the weekend. We will explore the shaped and markings and habitat of the birds themselves, and place them into beautiful light filled woodland settings from our imagination.
There is still time to join us - information on booking here.
Barn Owl oil paintings
Barn Owl in Flight, Oil Painting inspired by the photography of Frances Crickmore
Original Barn Owl Paintings for Sale - One-of-a-Kind Artwork
Looking for unique artwork to add to your collection? Check out our original barn owl paintings for sale. Each piece is one of a kind and sure to make a statement in any room.
Discover the Beauty of Barn Owls.
My original barn owl paintings for sale are the perfect way to bring the beauty of these majestic birds into your home. Each painting is a unique work of art, capturing the intricate details and stunning colours of the barn owl. Whether you're a collector or simply looking for a beautiful piece of art to display, my barn owl paintings are a unique choice. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own a one-off piece of artwork.
This first piece has light-reflecting particles alongside beautiful colours, texture and movement.
This painting was sold on its first day of the exhibition at White Dove Gallery
Please see my ‘Originals’ page for my very latest available Owl oil paintings.
Painting a pair of Puffins!
We are really missing our trips to the beach in Somerset with the dogs this year, so Im certainly enjoying painting this little pair by the sea! There is every chance that I will create a coastal series of pieces this Autumn to help me satisfy my craving for the sea air and the noisy waves!
