Isabell: Cow Painting Start To Finish
Isabell
Oil Pastel on Museum Board
15 1/2 x 18
So here she is, very nearly done. (Done enough to be signed anyway.) Oddly enough, posting work on the blog has become just another step in the process. What I mean by that is I kinda see the work from a different perspective. (Something about it being all shrunk down.)
So I posted her even though I know there are a couple of things I want to change because I thought seeing her this way may influence certain changes. Basically, I think I’ll tone down the ear tag and some of the pink in the shoulder. Thats it. Well . . . that and I’ll probably slide my signature across to the corner. Since I was unsure where I would crop her I just sort of stuck it on.
I had an ongoing debate with an artist friend (Barb McGee) about the dandelion. As you can see in the end I remained stubborn. Mike too thought I should put it, in but only for color’s sake. So my compromise was the green eartag. Which (now that I see it here) definately needs to be toned down a little. I liked the handwritten name on her ear tag and tried to make it look as much like the real thing (my reference photo) as possible.
Early stages. Started to put in a “Baldie” blaze to add interest.
Beginning to doubt the idea of a blaze.
Removed the white white “baldie” blaze as it was too distracting (not interest adding.)
Started changing the yellows to pinks. Liking the color combination better.
This is pretty much the same as the final photo, just pre-crop.
She looks fantastic! I must say though, I liked her before the colour change too.
I’m with you on the daisies - I can’t imagine them fitting in without making the painting look less… serious? If you know what I mean?
Thanks Undaunted. I needed someone to agree with me.
And what you said is exactly how I felt. It would completely change the tone of it. I like her as a cranky looking old cow.
Love it!!!! Very colorful and interesting to look at!!!!
I know you have probably talked about museum board on your early oil pastel posts, but I am lazy right now, can you tell me about museum board — is the same, if not, how is different from matboard? Does it come in colors? What kind of texture does it have? I am inspired to try some OP again soon now that commissions are done. I would like to look into trying museum board, but am only familiar with matboard and illustration board. Thanks, Angela
Museum board sorta looks like matboard but is rather different. It is 100% cotton fibers pressed into a board the same size as matboard (32×40.)
It comes is varying thickness’s like 2ply (similar to 140# hot press watercolor paper) 4 ply (slightly thicker than matboard) and 8 ply (very rigid, thicker than 2 sheets matboard) There may also be a 6ply?
It comes in a couple of colors: greys, tans, beiges, white, off-white, black and rouge. Maybe 8-10 shades in all. I’ve tried the rouge and greys, but really prefer the white. Because OP aren’t completely opaque some of the board color effect the OP color. Of course being a CP artist you may be much more comfortable working that aspect into the artwork.
It costs more than matboard. I think on average it costs me $12-14 per sheet, (for 4ply, 2ply is less and 8ply more) where acid free matboard cost me $6-9 per sheet. I’m talking the cost or a retailer, meaning if you purchased it it may well be twice that.
It’s surface is slightly more textured than matboard, probably more similar to Hot Press WC paper. (which I like)
I mostly use the 4 ply because the 8ply is a bugger to cut even with a matcutter. I prefer museum board to matboard because it is considerably more rigid (despite being a similar thickness) and to be honest it sounds sooooo much better on artshow applications.
Oil pastel on matboard.
Oil pastel on Museum Board. (Wordage is very important for these kinds of things.)
I’ve never played with illustration board so don’t know how it would compare with that.
Hi, Mona, thanks for this very clear and detailed explanation. I just plugged your blog at wet canvas on the oil pastel forum. I copied this link, which allows any body to respond as me (I am going back and try to fix that). So if you get some out of character posts from me, it might not be me! Angela
P.S. just fixted it. Hope you are having a great week with your business and your art. Merry Christmas! Angela
Hey thanks for the plug Angela!
Very much appreciated. Actually after I did the response, I thought that it was pretty much a post and no one would find this info in a comment. Soooo I will repost as actual post, (how many more times can I use that word) with a few more facts thrown in.
Again Thank You!
Also got your card today. It was sooooo cool! What a great surprise!
Wow! I love this. I’m a color nut anyway and love painting animals, you’ve really given me a delight with this painting and the steps to it.
I do that too. When I scan one of my paintings or post it on my blog, seeing the thumbnail gives me the same effect as backing up across the room. Since I’m mobility impaired and backing up across the room is a major pain, being able to do that just on the computer is a great thing. All the distracting details that distort my priorities when it’s right under my nose fall into place and I see the whole when I look at it online and reduced.
Gorgeous work. I’m bookmarking your blog, I can see I have a lot to learn studying your paintings.
Greetings Robert! and welcome.
So tell me all about yourself. I’ve gathered a few bits from the other comments you’ve left but I am a curious sort.