Wolf Cubs

"R" had also painted with me a year ago, when we created a lion's face and mane.  This time, he wanted to paint wolf cubs, his favorite animal.  He found this painting to be more challenging than his first, but, the results were worth the work!

As with his sisters, I used tape to block off the cubs while he put in the grassy field.  He used horizontal brush strokes to blend varying shades of green to build depth in the grass field.

Then he used vertical strokes to build up the grass blades.

Next up was the fallen tree trunk.  "R" started off with dark brown for bark, then moved to lighter tints and finally blended "like you are sweeping a floor!"

Now we did some outlining for the cubs.

This little line work and fur proved a challenge, but "R" stuck with it!

And he was excited to start to see it coming together!   

Working through the last one!  Here he is adding the lighter areas of fur.

And his final step was outlining areas and adding some highlights!  Then, wa-laa!  Finished!

Awesome work "R"!!!!   I'm proud of you!

Pony And Panther

I met these 2 artists last year to paint for their birthday gifts.   How fun to see them again, and create new paintings of their interests this year.  "T" was set on a baby panther and "R" was hoping to paint a little pony.  Both turned out great!

To begin, I had taped off the fore ground of the painting, so we could work on the background with ease.  Here you see "R" using horizontal strokes and "T" was dabbing in paint to create foliage behind her panther.

Having fun watching and working together!  Lots of Ooo's and Ah's :) especially when we added the aqua color.

Working fast, on the sides too this time!

"R's" next task was outlining her pony.

"T" started to paint in color blocks in the outlines I provided.  

Working away!

Now it was lots of color additions for "R" and lighter blocking for "T".  It got busy!

"T's" final step was to outline the panther head to make it come toward the fore ground more.   Then she admired her work!

And so did I!  Beautiful job!

On session 2, "R" was back to detail her pony.   We used sharpie to outline the eyes and add lashes of course!

Then we re-painted areas and outlined and added in those berries, flowers, and hearts!

Signing the work!

And proud artist with her painting!  So bright and cheerful, just like this artist!  Thanks girls for another great painting date!

Horse and Stable

"P" has been painting with me since the very beginning of Little Picasso's.  It means so much to me how much she and her family have enjoyed the process, and the results of our sessions.  To know that her paintings decorate her home and her grandparent's homes is so special for both her and me!  How lucky I have been to work with "P"!  

This summer, "P" wanted to paint a horse peeking in a stable based on an image found on Pinterest painted by Beth Covert.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcovert/7758991006/in/set-72157630641250188/ 

We changed up some colors, but kept the image pretty similar for her painting.    Such an adorable result!  We started out with the walls which "P" knew she wanted red!  I had sketched in the image for her and taped off parts to keep clean lines for the stable.  Then, using a large brush and horizontal strokes with black and red, she put in the walls.

Then did her FAVORITE thing- pulled tape!

Now we moved to adding in wood work for the stable in light colors.  We worked with blending here to achieve a wooden look.

"P" also painted in the dark hinges and latch ahead of time so as to see them once the  lighter paint was in.  I outlined some of the wood planks here in dark brown to help guide as well.

After blending the wood, "P" added in the latch and hinges again.

And we called it a day!   Looking good!  I love the red!

Session 2:  Today I had taped off sections so as to work on the background to the foreground.  "P" started with the sky and mountains then moved to the grass next.

While that dried, we moved to the small details of the cat next, first putting in our darker colors, then blending over them with lighter ones.

While the cat dried, we moved back to the horse, where I blocked in the outlines her dark areas first, which she filled, and then she filled in the lighter ones and blended them.

  "P" finished up with the cat's face details and then, it was done!   I love it!  Another successful result!