The Mating Game 10

If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Feathers! Feathers! Feathers! I don't know how to paint them. Today I worked a long time on the swans. While I feel I have the shadowing in pretty well I would like to see much more definition within the feathers. The problem here is a continuity of style. While I acquiesced to my teacher and added lots of detail to the water overall the painting style is smooth and blended strokes. My original idea was to have strong and heavy strokes when I got to the feathers. I'm not sure this is going to fly with my teacher. So far I've been happy following his advice ~ can't wait to see what he says about mixing of painting techniques on one canvas. Also, I can already here him telling me to get more contrast in the swan's bodies. I know the one on the bottom needs more work ~ my arm just gave out.

The Mating Game 9

God gave man work, not to burden him, but to bless him, and useful work, willingly, cheerfully, effectively done, has always been the finest expression of the human spirit.

Walter R. Courtenay

Well, as you can see I put in a fair number of hours today on the water. This has been quite time consuming but once I got into I really enjoyed it. My teacher had some really good pointers about making the swans appear as if they are actually sitting in the water not on it. However, I am so anxious to get to work on the swans now. Although I am glad I listened to my teacher and spent more time on the pond, I feel it still needs a lot more work. The next session, however, will definitely be spent on the birds. Its time to give them a little attention. Since there's only one more class to go I want to be sure and get my teacher's input on them as well.

The Mating Game 8

Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Well, as you can see my idea didn't fly with my teacher. He really thought the water needed a lot more attention. I've started at the bottom of the canvas and am adding more depth and detail. A lot of work left to be done here!

The Mating Game 7

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

William Butler Yeats

I've spent about eight hours on this since my last class working only on the water. The big question in class tomorrow will be how much more to put in. I like how still the water looks ~ it adds a real touch of serenity to the entire painting. I want the energy to come from the tension between the three swans. I'm guessing though that my teacher will want me to add some motion to the water. The beauty of oil paint is that I can try it and if it doesn't work just cover it up again. Painting the water like this took a tremendous amount of blending ~ no harsh edges between the different colors. Unfortunately I broke my favorite little blending brush ~ fortunately that means a trip to the art supply store.

The Mating Game 6

Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence.

Henry Chester

Today was art class again and my new favorite teacher was not there ~ ugh. I was all prepared with my questions and my working photographs. Although I didn't enjoy the instruction I thought I would get, the substituting teacher did have a few good pointers. My enthusiasm did not stay dampened for long! At any rate, today was background day and I have just begun to get the water laid in. Once I get a few more layers of paint on it will be time to go back and add in the highlights and darker shadows. Then feathers!

The Mating Game 5

They gave each other a smile with a future in it.

Ring Lardner

Well, this is coming along slowly. I've gotten a bit of the shading done on the lower feathers and more detail put in the faces. This white on white is quite a challenge! Since this is a combination of two different photographs this weeks job is to get the water to make sense. I'm going to work on not only the color but the movement. Also its time to start getting some reflection at least indicated. Because of the story within this painting I think its necessary to have patience in getting just the right amount of action on the canvas.