Animals by Barry
Evolution of My Artwork:
Step by Step
Osprey Coming At You
Acrylic with metallics on canvas 24” x 72”
I have begun my next painting, I have not even decided which side is up yet.
This will be a 24”x72” acrylic Osprey painting that I think you will like.
The background vignette will go from sky to water in multiple colors and textures.
I have use 3 blues to make the sky portion of my background vignette.
When it dries I will reverse my masking tape to match the colors and transition to the water portion of my vignette.
I need this to be dramatic, soft, colorful and non-distracting all at the same time.
This will be the background for my 24”x72” “ Osprey Coming At You” painting.
The vignette uses 3 blue colors and 2 green colors.
I promised an exciting “Osprey Coming At You “ painting (24”x72” acrylic on canvas.
I have put my layout over the background using India ink because it is both easy to see and correctable until dry.
My Osprey Coming At You painting is 6’ across and very highly detailed. The anatomy will be very complex.
In order to keep track of what I am doing I will primarily begin at the wingtips and work my way in to the center.
The detailing on the central portion will be done last. The small amount of these base (shadow) colors I am putting on the rest of the painting are just to get a little flavor of what will come later.
A couple more base colors added to “Osprey Coming At You”
Additional base color application for “Osprey Coming At You”
This is the last of what I call the “Base Colors” for my Osprey Coming At You painting.
Next will come the details, after which I will paint the fish in dark metallic colors and finally the water droplets.
I am beginning to detail “ Osprey Coming At You” beginning with feet and tail feathers.
Highlights and shadows plus white areas will be done later.
More detailing as I work my way to lighter colors.
“Osprey Coming At You”
I have done the detailing of the Osprey. The beak and eyes will receive special treatment later.
The fish will be done next in special dark metallic colors. The water droplets will be done last.
I have not repaired any tiny drops of color splash in the background. I will decide later whether to repair them or turn them into water droplets.
Most of the detailing is too fine to be visible in these photos 🤢
I am beginning to paint the fish (Alewife) that is being carried by my “Osprey Coming At You” painting.
This will be painted much as my other paintings are done. First I put down base colors. These are normal acrylic colors. The special metallic colors will appear on top of normal colors. The use of metallics alone would not look natural, and the metallics would not show up well without non metallics to contrast to.
I have made an anatomical correction to the face of my Osprey Coming At You painting.
I have also painted the metallic scales of the fish he is carrying.
After this dries I will add additional fish detail.
Lastly I will add flying water droplets and either clean up unwanted paint specks in background or convert them to flying water droplets.
I have detailed the fish in my Osprey Coming At You painting.
Only the flying water droplets and varnishes remain.
Osprey Coming At You
Acrylic with metallics on canvas
24”x72”
The painting is essentially done.
I will be doing some varnishes, including 3D gloss varnish affects to beak, eyes and claws. I will then scan it next week so in about 2 weeks I will have a final scan to post.
I am extremely pleased with how it came out 😊
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS YOURSELF WITHOUT A LOT OF PRACTICE!
As the final touch I have completed my 3 dimensional varnish effects to my Osprey Coming At You painting.
This step is very complicated and requires several days of drying time between multiple layers. It is difficult to control, and any lack of control will ruin your painting.
I have been using this technique for many years and I am in complete control but it has taken a long time to master this effect.
The 3D effect (low relief) is very difficult to see in photos, but is exciting in person.