Rainbow Dino Rhino Painting (yeah that’s right)
I’m Flying Without A Net Here Folks
So I began this with the knowledge that I really wanted to do a rhino painting, but other than that I had absolutely no idea what exactly I was going to do.
The trouble with being a portrait artist who doesn’t actually do much in the way of portraits (meaning I do essentially wild animal portraits that have no actual owner funding me) is, that I still have this artist side of me wanting to be creative. I don’t just want some rhino head. I want something with character and presence. In the end it will look to everyone else like just another rhino painting but I want to feel like I made it my own. I had a moment where I almost turned him into one of my Crayola Critters but fought it off (for now. Wouldn’t he look just awesome in pink, blue and green.) Nope not today though. Today I’m shooting for a more realistic look.
I like to think I set a challenge for myself every painting. And for this one I’ve set two. First I’ll be using my new Neocolor Water Soluble Wax Pastels for the majority of this piece. (We’ll see how that goes) And the other will be that huge expanse of background. Yikes!
I’m thinking a dark (not settled on the color yet. Mauve maybe?) horizon line and the foreground soft like the dust is billowing. Yup a totally new thing for me to try. And you know me, either play big or go home so this paintings size is about 20 x 32. So that way you can watch me succeed marvelously or crash in burn in grand style.
My biggest struggle beginning this piece was finding the color scheme. First he was too blue (big surprise there.) Then he was too green. Eventually I settle for all the colors of the rainbow. I realize it’s hard to see in these pics but he has all the primaries without turning Crayola. And that makes me a happy girl.
You Know Because Rhinos Are So Soft & Fluffy
When I took the second WIP photo Mike said that what I’ve filled in so far makes him look like a dinosaur. I’m like “yeah, but then rhinos look kinda prehistoric anyhow.” Really if i put a few spikes on his frill (which is actually his forehead) he could pass for a Triceratops.
And yes this piece is again on suede and no it’s not because he’s so soft and fluffy. My original intent was to use Inktense penciuls as my base colors and the Neocolos over the top. Which is what I’m doing. Since this has been a practiced technique for me I went with suede. ALso creating a soft dusty atmosphere seemed like it would be easier with the suede than on paper. Time will I guess.
So this is where I’m at on Sunday Morning I’m hoping to get a whole bunch more done today. I had a great time playing my horse this morning and now I’m ready to get after it. Mike is in the hay field and all the doors. There’s nothing holding me back . . . well, except the Budda needing love.
If You Want A Bigger Better Look please visit my The African Wildlife Art Squidoo Lens
Tags: WIP
Wow, I love how all the colors are working. So big!!! I hope you had a fun day getting alot done on him. As I have some rhino shots from my Ohio Wilds safari, I have been think of doing one, too — all your colors are a real inspiration. Those Neocolors seem like they would be fun, just don’t think I could control them like you do. I know you have written lens on it and written here about it, but if it is not too much trouble, could you reconfirm how you make the inktense base — with a q-tip and just a little water, that way? And are you blending your Neocolors with water or just dry?
I love his eye as well as the colors. Rhino’s are prehistoric looking!
Hey Angela, I did get quite a bit done on Sunday and plan to get much more done today. I think it might be easier to take a few pics and make a post of the explanation (not to mention I get a post as well as probably can plug it into a lens somewhere) so is no extra effort for me to do so. If all goes swimmingly I’ll post it tomorrow.
I’m using watercolor pencils to a degree on this piece as well. I’m cutting through the Neocolor with them to create the skin texture. The Neocolor really only blends a little. They seem to create a surface that no longer allow more color to be applied so my color choices need to spot on for the more realistic critters (as opposed to my bull) and thus they are the topmost coat of color I put on.
I’ll try to be more clear in my post.
He is fantastic- I love his eye. and that he is colorful but still realistic.
absolutely fabulous!