This is my latest miniature in progress. The male blackbird is pretty well finished and I'm just blocking in the foliage for the clematis, no detail yet. After spending ages drawing it out very carefully I was then utterly confused so had to fill in the negative spaces so I could find the leaves again. It will be 3.25" x 2" and that's a 10/0 brush I'm holding.
But its very hard to stay indoors when the sun has been shining outside. The bluebells are looking wonderful now, carpeting the garden in the most beautiful blues (and occasional pinks) and the bumble bees have been busy enjoying the perennial cornflowers in their droves.I was trying to figure out what kind they are (apparently there are 24 species left in the UK?) and found this wonderful organisation The Bumblebee Conservation Trust which has an excellent website. You can also notify them of any you see to help with their distribution maps. Bee ID is a bit trickier than it seems though (and way too interesting) so I'm going back when I have a little more time!
Update: a close up of the bluebells for judy :)
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13 comments:
Great to see a miniature in progress. I always get lost in the middle of the positive and negative shapes when I'm doing leaves - I can only imagine it's ten times worse when you're doing them for a miniature!
So what is a 10.0 brush - does that mean it has just 10 hairs? ;)
Your cornflowers and bluebells are wonderful! That's what you should be doing for the SBA exhibition next year!
I have a thing about blackbirds at the moment - I am captivated by their song and the bluebells here are lovely if a bit scattered where I live. Oh to have a bit wildness in the garden to grow a carpet of bluebells...bliss! Lovely progress on the painting by the way...
The minature blackbird is gorgeous. I can't believe the size of the brush. By the way, I saw your piece in Artists and Illustrators. Congratulations. Loved all the detail in the The Potting Shed.
Thanks Katherine, I was playing with the camera to try and get some decent pictures of actually painting a mini...not particlarly easy I decided! Yes, I got well and truely lost in the maze of lines :)
There doesn't seem to be a standard for brush sizes does there? This make (rosemary & Co) the 10/0 is the smallest, but another make it will be a 20/0...and it looks to me to be around the same size. I wish someone would explain it to me too. They all have rather more than ten hairs though thank goodness!
I'm currently practicing flowers in miniature... :) Practice is definately the word for it.
Thanks April, I love blackbirds too! Listening to their song is one of the most peaceful things I can think of. Hope you can grow some bluebells, they seem to multiple at a rather alarming rate. I bet they would with you too as we're about equally wind and see blown!
Thanks so much Gillian. Hope you've been having the lovely weather too. Your new greyhound is lovely!
Your miniature work is so wonderful. I envy you having the bluebells. I was born in the Uk and emigrated to Australia in 1965. I miss the spring flowers, especially the bluebells.
I enjoy your art very much.
Wow! Obviously another winner Tracy!
And its that another blackbird hidden in her nest in the upper left corner? WOW!
Kim
Lovely work. I can't even begin to imagine the patience you must have in painting those minatures.
Your miniatures are great. My eyes ache when I see someone working as small as you do. Love your stuff.
Beautiful photos and a wonderful little painting! Looking forward to seeing the finished piece!
Thanks you Dors, I'm so pleased you like the minis. Spring is such a fun time in the garden isn't it, so many subjects just begging to be painted too. I bet Australia has plants I can only dream of seeing - but it is hard to beat bluebells and primroses.
Thanks Kim - I was hoping no one had noticed her yet :) She should end up in the shade anyway, at least thats the current plan. May change of course...
Hi Steven - and thank you :)
Hi Terry, thats so nice of you. I do stop and look out the window periodically. Promise!
Hi Chris, glad you like it so far, and if it will just rain for a bit I'll get it finished :)
Tracy, I have those blue flowers in my garden, of course your's are blossomed way ahead of mine, mine are just starting to come up. Anyways, I thought they were called batchelor buttons. So it is good to know they are bluebells. Can't wait to see the black bird painting when you have more done Tracy, you do such beautiful work.
Thanks judy. I think batchelors button is another name for the cornflower (the pic with the bee on it). Bluebells are different (in the other photo). I'll post a closer photo when I get a minute so you can see them better, they're very pretty.
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