Border mural

[Ruth]

Hi y'all,
This is a border I'm doing, but it's going around the bottom of the wall rather than the top. It's about 30" high. Here's a sketch I submitted before starting it...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-wall1sk1blue.jpg

Progress pictures:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-420f.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-418f.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-419f.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-415f.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-dragonfly.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-414f.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-413f.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Feb-2009/887-Mvc-412f.jpg

Ruth

[objectivistartist]

Very nice :thumbsup:

[Bonniecat]

Beautiful work ! Wow ! I would have never thought about a mural that goes around the bottom of the wall rather than the top. Do you have any pictures that show the whole wall ? This is a great idea, and your work is so good.

Bonnie

[Fauxgeddaboudit]

Ruth! This may be my favorite of all your work I've seen. Truly love this. It gives great feel to the space. Wonderful depth. :thumbsup: LOVE it

Sue Ann

[BarbaraInFlorida]

Ruth, this is gorgeous! If you cropped a couple of these, they would pass for paintings of themselves. Really love the varied grasses and textures. I, too, would like to see an overall shot. You really take my breath away with your talent!

[Jakeally]

Just stunning Ruth. You really are my favourite artist:clap: :clap:

[Ruth]

Thanks y'all! I can't do an overall shot because the house is still under construction and there are piles of boxes, hanging wires, etc. in the way. That's why I included the sketch.

Ruth

[learningcurv]

Nice work. It really captures the feel of the low country

[artist1401]

I love it. Is the wall color above the mural sky blue? I hope there won't be any furniture in front of the artwork. Will you add more to the sky?

Shay

[panny_mouse]

Yep, I'm with Sue Ann, it's my favorite too!!! I'd love to be surrounded by this everyday! But I'd want a few frogs added (but no snakes). I love all your work!

[Autumnwillow]

Someone please breathe for me... this took my breath away, Ruth... I just love it, you do such convincing greenery (and very natural greens ;) )... That dragonfly, I swear I can see the wings fluttering, you really captured movement there...

Michele

[bepos]

Ruth, I love your work so much! It is always a treat to open one of your threads(like a christmas present)! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
Cindy

[Ruth]

Thank you my dears! Yes, there will be critters, as usual. A couple of ducks, maybe a turtle, some more dragonflies and ladybugs, and some clouds up near the top. There will be a TV against one wall, but most of the furniture will be out away from the wall. I never would have thought of this either, it was the clients' idea.

[Becktoria]

Beautiful Ruth! What a great idea.....

[Autumnwillow]

There's gonna be MORE? I thought it was finished already! I so want to learn how you do what you do, Ruth...

[michelle stone]

this has so much depth!how do you do it??Seeing the wips you do really is a gift to all of us-thank you!:clap:

[Ruth]

Thanks again for your comments.

The third photo above shows the development. There's a step-by-step mural demo link in my signature line. This is done the same way. I use red, blue, yellow, and white, mooshed together so there's a lot of variation in the greens, blues, browns, and tans needed for vegetation. Out of the mooshing comes a suggestion of ferns as you can see in the picture. Usually a suggestion is enough, but sometimes I will add a little more highlight or accent to make it pop. That vine was really fun, used a flat nylon brush and just sort of twisted it around to make those leaves.

Ruth

[gmarie]

.. lovely .. totally makes sense to me .. especially enjoying the vine ..

[Autumnwillow]

You make it sound oh so easy, Ruth.. but that just goes to show what a true artist can do with primaries and white, and a flat nylon brush! :eek: Given the same tool and colors, most of us would NOT come up with something this stunning... you are amazing...

[kwg]

Just lovely!!!!! Thak you so much for sharing your technique!!!

[*SJC*]

Oh wow, I absolutely LOVE your mural. Such a wonderful way of bringing nature right indoors to surround you everyday.
I wish I had the skill to create such a beautiful and relaxing scene in my own home.

[Ruth]

Thanks so much for all your comments! I've finished it today, here are the critters that occupy the swamp.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-dragonfly2.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-duck1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-duck2.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-duck3.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-duck4.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-duck5.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-duck6.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-turtle1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-turtle2.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-turtles1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-turtles2.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2009/887-turtles3.jpg

[gmarie]

Loads of Smiles here...:) :) :)

[Autumnwillow]

Adorable, Ruth... my personal fave is that female mallard, but it's all just wonderful!!

[michelle stone]

Never thought a turtle could be called adorable,but yours are!:lol:

[BarbaraInFlorida]

Followed your mural demo link-now that is closer to what I want in my living room. Will be studying more and make up sketches now-as someone already said back then, this is truly inspiring. Thanks!!! Beautiful critters, love your chorus lines of turtles!

[yorkhorse]

Whoever got this in their home is very lucky! I wouldn't want any furniture in there to block it!! So much going on, so much to look at.

[Caroline P]

This is really lovely Ruth. Beautifull depth.