Winter Wolves

After "C's"  little sister "N" finished her Hobbit Coop painting, "C" came over to paint a winter scene with wolves and an owl.   The best part about these custom paintings is that each one is totally unique and offers a  new challenge for both the painters and me!   I love that the child (or moms) can choose just what they love and create it!  11 year old "C" did a wonderful job!

First up on our painting to do list was to create a night sky with shadow effects.  We talked about where the light would be in the sky and how to use color to create it.  Then "C" blended the background.

Then we started with the snow.   I squirted on LOTS of white and we talked about how we could use the thick paint for texture to create drifts.   I love the effect.  We also talked about how to use shadowing on the snow for the darker parts and drifts.  Then "C" created!

Great shadowing "C"!

Below you can see the texturing of the white paint.

Now it was time to add in the evergreens at night.   "C" used a mix of dark green and black to create the darkened look and added in the branches as well.   This was the most time consuming part for today.

The big guy on the right!   Our monster tree!

Next to fill in, I let him try out a fan brush.  Then "C" put in the snow cover.

As he filled in, I talked about how the snow would fall on the trees, and would be on the edges of the branches...notice the difference between before and after when he added the snow to the branch tips.  Little changes, big results!

The full moon!  And some playful shadowing!

And the final step today was the birch trees bases.

I LOVE what you have so far "C"!  Looking forward to adding those animals!

Session 2:  "C" came with a new look, and new tasks!   Today he worked on the birch details to start.

Then we talked about the shadows they would create and he put those in next.   After that, he tried his hand at the wolf silhoutte, howling at the moon.   He told me this was his favorite part today.  Because, ahem, it was the easiest!  :)

After the "easy" part, he started to fill in the wolf sketches in the snow.   We were now on the final part of the project, and also the most difficult!   But despite a tiring hand, "C" kept going and got an excellent start at filling in his wolf!

Hard work pays off!   This is looking great!  Also, I'm leaving in both of these pics because it makes me smile----  "C" I want your picture with your painting.  Click.  "Okay, now I'm going to keep you here until you smile."   And click again.   I love this kid!   He totally endures me!  ha ha!

Session 3:

Today "C" was so ON!   I knew he was really excited to finish his project and his detailing today was great!   First he worked on his great horned owl.

Then we let him dry a bit before our last details.  Next, he moved to his front wolf.   I was SO impressed today with how much he retained from our last session.  He was a master blender and did a wonderful job with this first wolf!  

After putting in most of the first wolf, he moved to add in the owl eyes.   Then, I held up the painting for him to examine.   He and I both got nit picky, and talked about areas to change, add on to, etc.   Our main focus was re-working the faces of both wolves with more highlighting.  It made a huge difference!  He also touched up a tree, and then told me he was very happy with it.  So was I!  "C", this is an awesome painting!  Also, thank you for smiling the first time I took your picture.  You now know me well!   I'm looking forward to working with both you and "N" again soon!