Saturday, May 07, 2011

white egret


(4x8)

I've been wanting to try painting birds, especially shorebirds, for some time.
This first attempt was helped greatly by my teacher, Marie Natale, who has to keep telling me to go darker!
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16 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Wonderful egret, Laura. Great pose too, launching off like that. Most you see are standing in shallow water.

Kris Wiltse said...

So lovely! The loose edges convey a sense of movement. Are you mixing compliments for your darks?

RH Carpenter said...

The darkness really sets off that white and I like the warmth in the bird, too. Beautiful, Laura!

Diana said...

Beautiful Laura, I like the soft colors under his wing and the dark of the background. lovely,Diana

Ann Buckner said...

Looks wonderful, Laura. Those darks are sometimes hard to put in aren't they. :)

marnold said...

You paint the light perfectly. I can feel the sun. (It may even be a little humid.)

Super first try at a bird. Particularly a white bird. You've captured quite a bit of nuance.

Excellent study.

Suzanne McDermott said...

Glad that you heeded your teacher's advice. It's a common issue (fear). In all these years of beautiful watercolors, I think this is my most favorite. In every way.

Barbara Muir said...

Oh boy Laura,

This is just stunning. Amazing, astounding. You are a great painter.

XOBarbara

Autumn Leaves said...

This is beautiful, Laura. I love the backdrop too as this is typical of what I see when I see the herons around my area.

cathyswatercolors said...

Go darker it's true, then i go too dark and then lift and on and on until the saturated paper cries for help, and i do too:) Your dark on the backside of the egret is most effective in lifting the subject, don't our teachers always say make it pop:)Oh, and of course i't awesome.

A Brush with Color said...

Wonderful, Laura! Awesome!

BARBARA WEEKS said...

Love it! It captures the feeling of his flight.

Sandra said...

You have captured the Egrets fluid flight! Very lovely.

Nancy L. Vance said...

Love this painting Laura!

knittingdragonflies said...

This is lovely!
Vicki

Margaret said...

I haven't visited your work for quite a while and I can't wait to treat myself to a long look-through. Your work is stunning and really inspires me. This egret is so dreamy and the contrast and lighting here is amazing.