Although I am admittedly surrounded by cattle at other times of the year, they are all tucked up in byres just now. The youngsters are always fascinated by everything, including passing walkers (so much more fun if they have a dog or two in tow!) so I decided to put a group of them by a wall with a bit of an 'Orkney' gate. I thought I'd share a bit of the process since I happened to have taken some pictures.
I printed out the photos I thought I would use and played around with thumbnails (or in this case actual size) until I came up with a layout I liked.
Then I drew it out with a very sharp pencil on crescent rag board using a magnifying glass. (I am still tying to use less lines when I draw out the minis, as I find too much detail is a hindrance rather than a help once you start painting them, but I also get carried away. Luckily this surface doesn't mind a bit of erasing). Here I have started to block in colour and added some shading to the cattle.
And here I'm getting into the details. The brush gets smaller and the magnifying glass comes into its own by this point. (I don't know how some people work without any magnification, my eyes are not up to it!) This is where I have got to so far. Its 2.25" x 1.75" in watercolour.
5 comments:
Thanks for the progress shots Tracy, fascinating.
I need a magnifying glass for large work never mind miniatures.
How's the Heron coming along?
Oh my gosh!! I just discovered your blog a few days ago and hadn't realized how incredibly small these pieces are. They're exquisite!! The amount of detail you create is amazing. I like to paint small, but my idea of small is huge in comparison to yours!
Hi Tracy. See you're using those magic paints again...lol. They look just great!I always love the expressions cows give you when you pass them by. Sheer curiosity laced with fear reade to stampede in the opposite direction at a second's notice.
Ah yes Gayle, I am leaning that way myself :) The heron is nearing completion, hopefully I will be able to post the final version in the next week. Your woodpecker is looking fabulous.
Hi Chris! Thank you for stopping by! My idea of small is probably rather warped in all honesty:) But miniatures are my relaxation and fun. Really. Lovely to hear from you and I hope you pop in again!
April, we inhabit such similar worlds :) Those magic paints are a godsend aren't they?!
I feel I should say something important about Andrew Wyeth's death, but I can't think of anything other than that I loved his work. Says it all really I guess.
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