Little Picasso's: Birds of a Feather

I have a new obsession with texture paste and painting. I did summer classes with it, I'm using it in my own paintings, and I was able to show "S" how to use it for hers. It is so fun to use and adds so much to a painting! "S" is going to be a senior this year. She is such a joy to be around and working with her was so fun. The idea she chose was great for working with tints and shading and then spacing for an image. She pretty much replicated the image that was her inspiration. No doubt this will be a painting she will enjoy for many years to come! I was sad to have it leave my house!

The first day we met, "S" traced in one circle and then used a palette knife to create the texture for the painting. Perfect! You can see the dried result below.

Day 2 we got into the more technical stuff. This part required lots of blending, I spent most of the time looming over her to get a good view of where to add more light and dark. "S" you were a great sport! I snapped a TON of pics, mostly to show her as we worked. Seeing the painting through a camera lens or stepping back to view it always helps as you compose the painting. I posted quite a few of the pics here as well to show the process building. It's fun to see, plus, a good guide for someone who wants to try it at home!

Adding in some light to blend more....

Here you can especially see the benefit of using the camera (and me looming behind her :) Here she could see where and how to place lighter strokes, notice the difference from the top image to the one below.

Our final step today was placing the silhouettes in the painting. Using some simple techniques, "S" worked in her branches and birds. Time consuming at first, but taking time for placement is important to a solid painting. I also love that she wanted to do it, straight with black paint, and no sketching! Brave girl!

"S" you were such a good sport with my picture snapping!

Awesome! We stopped here today. She would come in one last time but now had everything placed so she could work totally independently for her last session.

Love this girl!

Session 3: "S" came for her last time to add in the branch details. She came during a class so I was busy and then looked up and was IN LOVE! Awesome work!