WIP Glass Owl

[A Few Pigments]

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Glass Owl
Year Created: 2005
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 8 x 10 inches.
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
I decided to do Glass Owl with an almost black background just to see what transparent glass on black would look like compared to transparent glass on a light background.

Glass Owl, 8 x 10 inches. Burnt sienna, prussian blue, burnt umber, permanent alizarin crimson, zinc white, titanium white.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Mar-2005/42249-Glass_Owl_500_001.jpg




MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
C & C Welcome.

[Bevahlee]

I can't quite make out the bowl? at the bottom of the owl. The legs or base is the same color as the table it rests on. I really like the looseness of this. Might have to do some reflected light on the black wall or background, just to keep it interesting. Nice job. :-)

[A Few Pigments]

Hi Bevahlee,

There’s no bowl the owl has a rounded bottom. What you’re seeing as legs are bright reflections on the tabletop which I’ll do more work on. Thank you for your comments.

[A Few Pigments]

This is my progress so far as of yet. Does the glass look any better? How do you think the tabletop is coming along? Thank you for your help. It’s best to view this painting from a distance.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Mar-2005/42249-Glass_Owl_500_002.jpg

[maria_khurram]

I saw your improved work. It looks nice now :clap:

[A Few Pigments]

Thank you for your comments Donald. :) It still has a long way to go.

[laketrees]

Hi Bruce....the reflections are developing well....both in the glass and the table top..
cheers kim

[A Few Pigments]

Thank you Kim. I’m doing this one in pastels and watercolour as well. Well, maybe not as well, but we’ll see… :D :evil: :)

[maria_khurram]

:D Will you show both of your works in water and pastle? It would be great. :D

[A Few Pigments]

Donald, I will post both of them


This is the most difficult glass I’ve painted so far.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Mar-2005/42249-Glass_Owl_500_003.jpg

[laketrees]

Hi Bruce....I can see the two eyes are more formed now and you have softened the edges.....I've never painted glass but I imagine it would be very challenging...
cheers kim

[maria_khurram]

WOW Bruce now it is getting better and better. Great effort Bruce. :clap:

[A Few Pigments]

Thank you Kim for commenting. I’m finding clear glass fascinating to paint. If you think about it there are 3 surfaces to paint including the background. Light gets reflected and refracted by the glass so colors and objects near the glass are bounced around in the glass. That’s why there’s that burnt sienna bit in the owl. It’s light striking the tabletop, entering the owl, and being refracted back to the viewer.

This gives me a whole new way of thinking about what I’m really seeing when painting opaque objects. Also, clear glass has so many subtle value changes and color changes, I think it helps a lot in developing a good eye to see those things.

[A Few Pigments]

Thankx Donald. I hope it won’t take too much longer to get it finished.

[A Few Pigments]

That’s me done. As with all of my paintings this is best viewed at a distance. I’ve found 100 miles works well…lol

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Mar-2005/42249-Glass_Owl_500_004.jpg

[laketrees]

Hi Bruce...100 miles?? LOL...I'm looking at it on my monitor and it looks very good ...you have really enhanced the reflections and the eyes look great...you have done well with the reflection on the table too!!
cheers kim

[A Few Pigments]

Thank you Kim. I think I’m all glassed out now for a while. I have two pastel portraits and a pastel landscape I need to finish soon. It will be nice to paint something that’s opaque again.