WDE - 17-Jul - Wonky Tree

[BeckyMc]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jul-2009/45982-DSCN1722.JPG

It's been forever, since I posted anything - I had a hard time finding the image uploader. This is Oil Pastels and I did the initial sketch in some sort of blue-green color, which I can only cover with big globs of white - everything is too wet and mushy, so I'm going to have to let it sit awhile before I work on it again. I'm pretty sure the photo is crooked as I left it taped to the slanted easel, but the entire experience is in keeping with my lack of artistic effort over the last 2 years!

In honor of Ari - Mr. Whiskers left me 3 hairballs to clean up, before I could get near my computer. He really went to way too much trouble..... :cat:

Thanks for the great reference photos, Robert.

[Cindy234]

I like the blue highlights! Glad to see your cat was assisting. Mine has spent 7 hours sleeping on the back of the couch today!

[robertsloan2]

Becky, this is magnificent! Obviously Mr. Whiskers was helping with his own Cat Hairs of Inspiration, they're even stronger in a hairball. Ari does that for me all the time and it makes me pause before painting, observe more carefully.

Don't worry about the blue-green sketch lines. They don't hurt it at all, they are a beautiful effect where I see them and blend right in with the shadows. I love this painting. I can see why you'd want to let it set up overnight though if it's still that soft -- what brand of oil pastels are you using? They look like beautiful, painterly ones.

Gorgeous Impressionism, and you really caught the look of that fantastic wonky tree still growing after the wind broke it. This is inspiring!

Ari purrs at you and sheds some clean dry Cat Hairs of Inspiration in your general direction, also purrs at Mr. Whiskers. He likes making new cat friends.

Aww Cindy, that must be pleasant having a sleeping cat on the back of your couch. It always is for me when Ari naps on the back of my armchair. I can even lean my head back on him like a headrest and he won't wake up. Cats sleep more hours of the day than they're awake, unless they're small kittens at the Rocket Kitten stage of mayhem.

[Helen]

Made me smile... love the colors

[bchlvr]

Beautiful work!

[Paulafv]

Beautiful colors. I like it just as it is. That turqoise and purple and blue look so well together against the whitish rocks.

[eyepaint]

Love the blues in the tree trunk. Rocket Kitty Mayhem - sounds like a name for a band :)

[Dewi]

It's beautiful painting and colours.

[jlloren]

Beautiful colors!

[connievanwinssen]

Love it! Beautiful:)

[crispur2005]

Love the beautiful colours and the rough texture of the branch.

[Busybrush]

All these colors make this painting bold and dynamic. WOW!

[Joan T]

Great colors in this!!! Well done!

[BeckyMc]

Robert - I used mostly Sennelier, especially the LeGrandes. It's fairly large, about 12x17, so that explains the big mushy blobs. I hope to do more on it in a couple of days.

Clio and Tubby argued over who was the more inspirational kitty - Mr. Whiskers at 14, declined to lower himself to their squabbling.... Tubby is thinking of a portrait of himself and is reviewing all of Ari's portraits. Unfortunately, he's not as inspiring a subject as Ari - he does a good job of shredding our French door frame, however....

Thanks for all of the comments everyone - I need to participate on a more regular basis - I've stayed away far too long.

[gakinme]

This is beautiful. I love the colors you gave to it when there wasn't much to start off with.

[SAndypp]

Gorgeous colouring on this, really brings this tree to life
great job big congrats
Sandy :)

[Signchick]

Oooooooo! Beautiful!! The colors are delicious!!!! :)

[carol_lee]

Beautiful love the purples and that turquoise sky... lots of textures....Your photo is perfect !!! I love this tut about straightening photos of art work!!!Square up (http://emptyeasel.com/2008/01/03/how-to-square-up-photos-of-your-art-in-photoshop-with-free-transform-liquify/)
Carol

[artastic]

bold and beautiful, even more inspired by t he feline love around you!
I often have tho paint around the distracting paws of mischief on my own paint table (I have one that likes to sit in my lap and play with the handle of the brush while I am painting!!)