Notice the tapestry effect in the nest. It is a subtle point of interest that enhances the subjects. I decided to go with lighter areas of paint than is my usual practice. I still maintain my bold painting style in the darker areas of the painting. This created a centering effect on the main subject, the babies. My painting process was fun and imaginative, a break from realism.
I am very careful with the grade of paper I use so that I can maintain the surface while I play with subtle color washes. I build the color up preciously keeping my paper canvas showing through so that I don't have to use any white. I am a purist and love the transparency of layering watercolors. I use opaque colors minimally.
We have an Audubon Park near me in Irvine, not far from the beach. It has freshwater swampy areas for all the water fowl. Especially lovely are the Egrets that feed and nest there. Admittedly we don't have moss hanging from the trees here in California like they do in the South. I had to imagine the swampy moss effect and check on various photo's online for reference. I never copy images, I re-imagine them in my mind while I paint. This is one part of my creative process that is highly regarded by my mentors and clients.
I had a name contest, in my monthly newsletter, for this painting and a local antique store owner came up with the winner.
I used high quality, cold pressed, watercolor paper that is so much fun to blend colors on and adds texture. I used thick paint making the watercolor consistency inky.
I tear the paper if it does not already have a deckle edge. I frame it on top of the mat-board, called float mounting, to show off the papery effect. It "pops" the colors and is lovely on black, and then I frame it in a modern black frame.
