Monday, June 18, 2012

Watcher

Watcher
5" x 5" watercolor
$45 plus $7 US shipping or $15 Int.


I'm really excited right now about painting close-ups of eyes and faces, of all types. I guess it's something that I've always done, subconsciously focusing on the face and letting everything else sort of just not matter. But now I'm doing it consciously! Heh. :)

When I first saw this guy (who is an Eagle owl in case you were wondering) I was a little overwhelmed at all the details in his feathers, which were even more apparent in the photo when seen from this extreme close up. But once I actually started painting him I realized that it wasn't the feather details I was painting, but the pattern of color and lights and darks. There goes that subconscious mind of mine again making decisions for me. Pushy subconscious brain thinking it knows better than me. Hmph.

In any case, I think it worked out pretty well. :)

Photo reference by Amanda Richard. Thank you!! :)

24 comments:

  1. Super one, Crystal....he looks so stern!

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  2. Ce grand Duc est tout simplement magnifique... Ce regard vous hypnotise... Nous sommes devenus sa proie !
    Un merveilleux travail bien sûr aussi dans son plumage. Mon ami Léo ne me contredira pas !
    Une superbe aquarelle ma chère amie.
    Gros bisous à vous.

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  3. I see a lot of authority in those eyes. Almost scared to look into his eyes. How do you do it!!!

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  4. The brushwork on this one is just amazing. And his eyes... totally captivating! You definitely captured the soul of this bird of prey...

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  5. Oh I want some of that subconscious thingy! Please can you post me some ;0)
    He is just AMAZING!!! I just love these close ups. Those feathers look touchable but the eyes remain the star of the show and just draw us all in :0)

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  6. Fiercely wonderful! He's impressive. Love how your subconscious mind mades amazing things happen on canvas :-)

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  7. That's a very intense, dramatic painting! Well done! I love the colors and the eyes!

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  8. Nice crop! I can feel his intensity and ferocity :)

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  9. Interesting observations, Crystal: The way subconscious drives the 'performance' and the detail almost takes care of itself - as a consequence. Celeste was saying something similar, about joining up the darks (in a horse drawing). Even with pen & ink, I sometimes find the pen adding extra shading without consulting me!

    The eyes leap off the page - the intricate plumage is noticed slightly later,(pow! followed by kerpow!) Really wonderful work ... I enjoyed it.

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  10. His stare is so intense... can't help staring back!:-) You really are able to capture the life in eyes so beautifully.

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  11. Owls in particular have such piercing stares, and it's really disconcerting when one is giving you the stink-eye ;). You did a great job of capturing that.

    BTW...if you are looking for some additional photo references of people to use for painting, I have a bunch of good portraits I took last year of the Southern and Ute Mtn. Utes in their ceremonial outfits that I bet you'd love, including some really cute kiddos. They are really photogenic people.

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  12. Love this guy. love the way you cropped it and all of the wonderful colors are great.

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  13. Looks as if this guy means business, Crystal! Love the strokes that duplicate the feathers!

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  14. Love this Crystal! The lights and darks are always fascinating.

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  15. Hello Crystal:) Yes you can say this one worked out very well:) What a strong face. Love it! My compliments:)

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  16. Wow! You can feel the menace in him! Excellent work, Crystal xx

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  17. I can't wait to see more of these!! YOu really did capture the owl. Amazing!

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  18. I love this portrait, Crystal! The expression on the owl's face is fantastic. You're so talented at capturing the feel of an animal. This one looks like he/she's ready to go hunting! Watch out, mice. :)

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  19. This is a really good read for me. Must agree that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw. Thanks for posting this informative article.


    vintage oil painting
    vintage sculpture

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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