cardinals ~

Oil painting ... project number 3.

Here we go again ... the lady has gone bonkers and is going to attempt another painting!

I figured the only way that I am going to overcome my fear of using oil paints is to jump right back into the saddle and tackle another picture.

I decided not to waste any expensive hard board or canvas during this trial and error period ... so I dug around in some scrap lumber laying around out in the garage and decided to paint on those for a while, until I build up my confidence.

I found a board a little bigger than a post card and decided to paint it white ... and now I'm in the process of adding a pair of cardinals.

Here's my photo progress so far:

 ~ my rough draft sketching in pencil ~

~ giving the Mrs. some color ~

~ adding some color to the Mr. ~

I took Sunny's advice and decided to use a picture for some reference.  What better place to look for reference than my bird book.  This photo also shows how small this painting actually is .. it's propped up on my paint brush.

Other then my trying to bring out my creative side ... nothing much is going on around here.  I would love to be digging in the dirt, getting my hands dirty in the flower beds; but they are still under a good foot of snow ... and more is falling as I make this post.  

I told Dear Hubby I was bored ... and he had all kinds of domestic suggestions ... such as laundry, cooking, cleaning and sex.  I said, "What! Has it been six months already?  Is it really time for vacuuming and sex?"

I decided to paint.

Until next time...

So it goes in my neck of the woods.

~mel